alfalfa hay

University of Idaho Extension forage and small grains researchers are testing a seemingly counterintuitive theory that local farmers could reap rewards by planting alfalfa varieties that weren’t bred to withstand Idaho’s cold winters.

Why is the reported average yield of alfalfa for US farms well below the potential of what growers could actually produce?

While it wasn’t the worst on record, this was not the best year for Washington hay growers either.  Andrew Eddie, Vice President with the Washington State Hay Growers Association, said many growers were down on tonnage because the first cut was pushed back thanks to the cold, wet spring.  He added that...

As we move into the 2nd half of October and harvest picks up, the 2022 crop numbers are a mixed bag.   According to NASS, Washington canola production is forecast at 231 million pounds, up 62% year-over-year.  Harvested area, at 130,000 acres, is unchanged from 2021.  Yield i...

After taking a year off, the 2021 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium will be held in-person November 16th-18th, at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Organizers said this year, an agricultural educational tour of Nevada is being offered, visiting a dairy, a specialized goat dairy, distillery, the Derby Dam and Newlands water project, and a hay export operation. Early ...

The drought across the Northwest has been brewing for some time, with much of the region not seeing a large precipitation event since March. And with soil moisture levels so low to start July, it could be a long summer for many growers, such as Idaho hay producers ...

According to the latest Acreage Report, hay production is expected to be down again this year. When it comes to alfalfa hay, NASS' Lance Honig said, "16.1 million acres expected to be harvested this year. It's down 0.7% from what was actually harvested last year ...

The owner of a horse farm southwest of Portland faces a felony charge for animal neglect, after investigators found nearly 50 horses they say were not being given adequate food or water. Because of the number of animals on the property, Susan Swango, 82, faces one count of 2nd Degree animal neglect ...

Northwest growers plated more wheat in 2020. All wheat planted in Idaho totaled 1.24 million acres last year, up 4% from 2019. Harvested acres hit 1.16 million, up 3% from the previous year. All wheat production totaled 113 million bushels, up 14% year over year ...

This year was a difficult year for the entire ag community, thanks primarily due to COVID-19. But for Washington hay growers, Mother Nature also made the past year challenging. Andrew Eddie, Vice President of the Washington state Hay Growers Association said mid-spring rains negatively impacted many first cuts across the area, and wildfire smoke presented challenges late in the season ... Read M