Mid-America Forage Expo Quickly Approaching

For the week ending October 29, 2017, temperatures averaged near normal across western Nebraska, but two to five degrees below normal in the east, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation was limited across the State. Dry weather allowed farmers to make good progress on corn and soybean harvests. Some producers experienced cornstalk breakage and ear loss due to high winds.  Alfalfa fourth cutting was 96 percent complete, ahead of 91 last year.

The Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference will be held at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell, Nebraska, November 28 & 29, 2017.  The event is designed especially for forage producers, livestock/dairy producers and others who are involved in forage production, purchasing, hay feeding or processing.

We have two jam-packed days of information, education, and innovation—all designed to help forage and livestock producers improve production, performance and profitability.    A large forage industry trade show and fundraising auction are also included during the two-day event.

We are excited to hold this event in Mitchell this year and feel by working with the University of Nebraska’s Panhandle Research & Extension Center, we are bringing you some great information and education. 

Presentations for this year’s Expo include “FORAGE SORGHUM: Past, Present, Future” by Matt Sowder and Jeff Jackson; “Salinity and Your Soil” by Dr. Ron Miller; Using Annual Forages in a Grazing Situation by Nancy Peterson and Alfalfa Insects and Their Management by Jeff Bradshaw. 

The Mid-America Forage Expo is free of charge to attend.  For a complete schedule of events or for more information, call 1.800.743.1649 or visit www.AlfalfaExpo.com.

Good web traffic following World Dairy Expo

For the week ending October 15, temperatures averaged near normal across eastern Nebraska, but four to eight degrees below normal in the west, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation of less than an inch was scattered across a majority of the State; however, a few southeastern counties received over an inch of rain. Wet fields continued to slow harvest. Alfalfa fourth cutting was 92 percent complete, ahead of 86 last year.

I checked on the web statistics yesterday for the first 15 days of October. From October 1st through the 15th, there have been 515 individual pages viewed at nebraska-alfalfa.com and IndependentForageGrowers.com. That compares to just 410 visitors for the same time period last year. 62 percent of these visitors were new visitors to the site. This is typical after we’ve been to a show and talked to potential customers like at the World Dairy Expo. That being said, the top five states visitors are coming from is Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

The 2017 Mid-America Forage Expo is quickly approaching. This year the dates are November 28 & 29th at the Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell, Nebraska. We will have a full line of forage exhibitors for you to visit with as well as 2 days of forage related speakers and topics to help in your operation. As always, we will feature a Social Hour and Fundraising Auction on Tuesday afternoon.  You can find more information by visiting www.AlfalfaExpo.com or by calling 800-743-1649.

Heading to World Dairy Expo!

Dairy producers, commercial exhibitors and dairy cattle enthusiasts travel to the World Dairy Expo, in Madison Wisconsin next Tuesday, October 3rd through Saturday, October 7th, to network with the entire industry. Over 2,500 head of dairy cattle from across North America compete for the coveted Supreme Champion title. Expo Seminars, Virtual Farm Tours, youth competitions and national dairy cattle judging contests and a spectacular trade show are held during this five-day event.


World Dairy Expo is known as the largest dairy-focused event around the globe. You too could join us as one of the 70,000+ dairy industry enthusiasts who make the trip to World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. It is truly the international meeting place for the dairy industry.

This will be approximately the 28th year that the Association has participated in World Dairy Expo and it’s always something to look forward to.   The purpose for attending is simply to promote forages.  It’s the goal of the Association to gain access to customers that our members may not otherwise have access to on their own. 

I’d like to remind you that whether you are looking to buy alfalfa, grass or other forages or have your own inventories to sell, the Independent Forage Growers can help you.  Membership in the Association is open to all forage producers.  The goal of the Association is to gain access for you to customers that you might otherwise not have access to on your own. 

If you would like additional information regarding hay for sale or membership in the Independent Forage Growers, please give me a call at 800-743-1649 or visit our website at www.nebraska-alfalfa.com.

World Dairy Expo 2 weeks away

For the week ending September 17, temperatures averaged four to eight degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Precipitation ranged from half an inch to an inch across a majority of the State. Dry edible bean harvest was underway in western counties. Alfalfa condition rated 4 percent very poor, 10 poor, 34 fair, 40 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa fourth cutting was 68 percent complete, ahead of 59 last year and 61 average.  Pasture and range conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 20 poor, 45 fair, 27 good, and 3 excellent.

Prices for dairy quality large and medium squares are $150 – 200 or $.85 to 1.00 per RFV point as a base;   large rounds bales $80 to 95 per ton some $120-125 delivered on short hauls.  Grass in large rounds is $75 to 90 per ton.   These prices are all priced at the stack and are actual sales reported by members of the Independent Forage Growers.

The World Dairy Expo in Madison Wisconsin is just 2 weeks away.  The dates for this year’s show are Tuesday, October 3rd through Saturday, October 7th.  As usual, the Independent Forage Growers will have a booth and will be promoting forages of all types and qualities.  If you would like more information on how you can participate, simply give me a call.

The Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association dba Independent Forage Growers will again be offering a $1,000 scholarship to high school seniors or college students whose parents are members of the Association.  If you are a member and interested in the scholarship program, please contact me ASAP.  The application deadline is November 10^th.

If you would like reach potential hay customers both locally and across the country regardless of the quality of hay you have, if you are looking for a good source for hay, grass or other forages, or if you would like more information on the upcoming World Dairy Expo in Madison Wisconsin, simply give me a call at 800-743-1649 or visit our website at www.nebraska-alfalfa.com.

Visit us at the Sandhills Ranch Expo June 14 & 15

For the week ending May 28, cool and mostly dry conditions prevailed, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Average temperatures ranged from three to nine degrees below normal. Some areas of the panhandle and southeast Nebraska received up to an inch of rain; however, much of the State remained dry. This allowed soils to dry out, and producers continued to plant and cut hay.

Alfalfa condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 18 fair, 69 good, and 12 excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 25 percent, near 28 last year, and behind 30 average. Pasture and range conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 20 fair,  66 good, and 13 excellent.

It’s hard to believe that June is here this week.  Exhibitor contracts for the 2017 Mid-America Forage Expo that will be held at Scottsbluff County Fairgrounds in Mitchell, Nebraska on November 28 & 29 will be sent out in the next couple of weeks and we hope exhibit spaces will fill up quickly.  The speakers program should be finalized and announced on the alfalfaexpo.com later this week. 

On June 14^th and 15^th we will be participating in the Sandhills Ranch Expo being held in Bassett, Nebraska.  Then on June 26 through the 28th we will be attending the National Forage Alliance summer board meeting in Walla Walla, Washington.  This meeting will include an opportunity to see and learn about alfalfa production in the Pacific Northwest along with alfalfa seed production.

Decent Grass Hay Movement

For the week ending May 14, temperatures averaged four to six degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall accumulations of an inch were common in Panhandle, southcentral, and southwestern counties, but limited to half an inch or less for the rest of the State. Dry, warm weather allowed farmers to make progress in corn and soybean planting. There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork.  Pasture and range conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 29 fair,  59 good, and 9 excellent.

Several more producers got started on first cutting alfalfa last week and over the weekend.  I received the first new crop inventory listings on nebraska-alfafla.com and the relative feed value and proteins were strong.

Grass hay movement has been good as cattle are moved to pasture and being supplemented to get started.  Pricing for old crop alfalfa in large rounds ranges from $65 – 82.50; large and medium squares of dairy hay have been moving at $140-185; grass in large $70-75.  These prices are all priced per ton at the stack and are actual sales reported by members of the Independent Forage Growers.

Producers are slow to commit to new crop prices however there have been several calls received on the 800# from customers looking around and sizing up the market.

Today the Board of Directors will be holding their monthly teleconference to discuss Association business.

And 1st Cutting Begins

For the week ending May 7, temperatures averaged one to two degrees below normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Rainfall was limited to half an inch or less across most of the State. Dry weather allowed planting and other field activities to continue at week’s end.  Producers started to move cows and calves to pastures. There were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 3 percent very short, 8 short, 81 adequate, and 8 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 12 short, 76 adequate, and 6 surplus.  Pasture and range conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 19 fair, 72 good, and 8 excellent.

Producers have begun green chopping and cutting alfalfa.  Some producers have had their alfalfa nipped by frost, others have been hailed out and snowed on and others have been dry and slow to green up.  Pretty much any condition to battle has happened for the beginning of this haying season.  Perhaps if we fight with first cutting, the rest of the season can get back to normal!

The purpose of the Independent Forage Growers is to assist Members in producing, promoting and marketing of forages.  Forums are provided for the exchanging of information on production and marketing methods among members and from outside sources.  The Association takes an active role in promoting forages, including exhibiting at shows attended by potential customers, advertising and referral of potential customers to Members.  In all of its marketing activities, the Association seeks to create and reinforce a favorable brand image of forages.

Another important roll the Independent Forage Growers has is as an active member of the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance or NAFA. To view the May 8, 2017, version of NAFA News, please click the following link: http://alfalfa.org/newsletter/170508nafanews.htm.

Varied Alfalfa Conditions Across Nebraska

For the week ending April 16, temperatures averaged four to six degrees above normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rainfall of an inch or more was limited to portions of the eastern half of the State.  Dry soil moisture conditions continued in southwestern Nebraska.  The first fields of corn were planted, however, fieldwork in most areas was limited to spring tillage and fertilizer application. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5 percent very short, 18 short, 74 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 23 short, 68 adequate, and 2 surplus. Hay and roughage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 4 short, 91 adequate, and 4 surplus.

Reports on alfalfa conditions from around the state include insect issues in the SW, winter kill in the northern and northeastern part of the state and hail and freezes damage in some areas of eastern Nebraska. Other producers report good growth and potential early starts to first cutting.

Unfortunately, hay movement continues to be slow and will like continue to be until we have some new crop on the ground.

We will be going back to holding our September General Membership meeting during Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island.  This year it will be at Pam’s Restaurant on Locust Street.   We will continue to have more information in the coming months.