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Chemical Residues Threaten Exports
U.S. hay exporters are working to make sure chemical
residues are not present in exported hay. As part of that effort, the
National Hay Association (NHA), along with other groups, is gathering
and disseminating information to help avoid and address problems.
"Recently there have been reports that residues of clopyralid, the
active ingredient in Curtail, Curtail M and Stinger, have been found in
timothy grass hay that was sampled in Japan," says Jeff Plourd, El Toro
Export, El Centro, CA. The residues allegedly caused problems in a crop
of tomatoes that were fertilized with manure or compost from animals
that had been fed timothy hay with clopyralid residues.
Plourd says the residue carryover has created a serious concern that
NHA's Export Processor's Committee is addressing with Japan's Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Japan Feed Trade
Association. These two government agencies are responsible for
regulating forage imports. "Without being proactive to residue concerns,
we risk losing a very important market for our hay products," says
Plourd.
Hay growers are urged to strictly adhere to label requirements and to
check with their chemical field representatives to make sure there are
no clopyralid residues in hay that may be exported. The manufacturer of
clopyralid has published guidelines that minimize the risk of residues
in all hay and straw. The guidelines must be followed for all hay that
may be exported.
"There are safeguards and controls that all producers must follow when
they apply pesticides to hay and forage crops," Plourd says. "Chemical
companies have spent many dollars and untold hours of research to ensure
that products are safe and beneficial for use. In light of the recent
issues, all producers, exporters and processors must increase their
awareness so that the tools at our disposal meet safety requirements as
well as demands for an individual market. Japan is going to be watching
closely."
Hay producer groups are being encouraged to plan meetings to discuss
herbicide residues and how residue problems can be addressed. "The
meetings would be specific to hay producers' states and producing
regions," says Plourd. "We are united in our effort and believe more
information and traceability will benefit everyone."
Contact Plourd at 760-352-4157.
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Over Half Of U.S. Is Dry
According to reports on the U.S. AgNet Web site, the
U.S. Drought Monitor now shows that over half of the U.S. is under
droughty conditions. States in "Exceptional" and "Extreme" drought
include Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Colorado and
South Dakota. Most of the western Corn Belt (starting at the Mississippi
River) is under droughty conditions.
To view the current Drought Monitor, go to www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.
Source: U.S. AgNet.
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Managing Alfalfa Seedlings During
Drought
By Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska
Extension Forage Specialist
Alfalfa stressed by drought during its first summer may
struggle to survive, but alfalfa seedlings are tough. Despite their slow
rate of growth and tender appearance, many of them manage to survive
stressful conditions and become productive haymakers.
Some years are harder on seedlings than others, however, and this is one
of those years. Because of the extended hot, dry weather, alfalfa
seedlings are experiencing more stress than usual. Anything you can do
to reduce stress and competition will help.
First, control weeds. Weeds use moisture and intercept light, two
critical needs of seedlings. If weeds aren't too large and are growing
actively, herbicides are a good option. Otherwise, clipping may be
necessary. If you must clip, leave a tall stubble so seedlings don't go
into shock after clipping and be careful not to smother them with your
clippings.
Second, scout for insects. Leafhoppers, aphids, grasshoppers and other
insects cause extra problems during stressful weather. Timely
insecticide application or mowing is more important than ever.
Third, consider topping off your dryland alfalfa, even if there isn't
enough to harvest. The larger the plant, the more soil moisture it needs
to survive. Making plants smaller by clipping will reduce the plant's
moisture requirement, relieving some stress and conserving what little
moisture remains.
Drought conditions may make growth difficult for alfalfa seedlings, but
with a little extra care, they can get a good start.
Source: University of Nebraska.
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You can prevent stand loss. You can reduce dry-down time. You can
increase alfalfa forage quality, stand longevity and yield. You can
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Minnesota
Growers should begin scouting alfalfa for potato
leafhoppers, say University of Minnesota extension specialists. High
levels of potato leafhoppers have been reported in southeastern
Minnesota alfalfa fields this summer. Growers are urged to scout when
the field has about one week's growth following cutting. Potato
leafhoppers migrate into Minnesota each year via strong, southerly
winds. Failing to scout and manage them can result in a loss of around
1/2 ton per cutting, according to the specialists.
Source: University of Minnesota Extension Service.
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Nebraska
Cowpea aphids were found in alfalfa in Dixon County,
NE, a couple weeks ago. Entomologists say they can be a problem in a dry
year. First reported in Nebraska in Knox County in 1999, the cowpea
aphid is easily distinguished from other aphids in alfalfa since it is
the only black aphid likely to infest the crop. It's relatively small --
less than 2 mm long. An excellent color photo can be found on a
University of California Web site: www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/A/I-HO-ACRA-AD.004.html.
Cowpea aphids have been reported in at least 28 states and three
Canadian provinces. They have an extensive host range with a marked
preference for legumes. Other known host plants are apple, carrot,
cotton, cowpea, dandelion, dock, goldenrod, kidney bean, lambsquarters,
lettuce, lima bean, pinto bean, peanut, pepperweed, pigweed, red clover,
shepherdspurse, vetch, wheat and sweet clover.
Source: University of Nebraska Crop Watch Newsletter.
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Oklahoma
Many southern Oklahoma cattle producers in are feeding
hay now -- if they can find it, says Eddie Funderburg, Noble Foundation
soil and crop specialist. "Hay is very scarce and quality varies a great
deal," Funderburg reports. "Not only is hay expensive, it is also hard
to find. Cattle producers are trying to put together low-cost rations,
but are having trouble finding forage." Oklahoma hay growers suffered
through a very dry fall in 2005, and many parts of the state have had
almost no rain since winter.
Contact Funderburg at 580-223-5810.
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South Dakota
South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds has requested a
federal drought disaster declaration for 23 counties. Rounds wants USDA
to open Conservation Reserve Program acreage for haying and grazing.
Permit fees for transportation of baled livestock feed are being waived
in the state. Northern and western South Dakota seem to be suffering the
most from the extreme dry spell.
Southeastern South Dakota is dry, but not in quite the desperate straits
as some parts of the state, reports Amy Freeburg, Freeburg Hay Company,
Gayville. "We got a couple of inches of rain three weeks ago, but we are
still dry at the moment," she says. "We are right on top of the third
crop right now and we've been running two to three weeks ahead of
schedule all year." She expects a lot of wheat and oat straw to be baled
this week.
One positive result of the dry weather has been good hay-making weather.
"The quality has been very good this year and yields have stayed pretty
good overall, too," Freeburg says.
Amy and Gary Freeburg market around 35,000 tons of hay per year. Learn
more about the company by visiting www.freeburghay.com, or call 605-267-4426.
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Horse Workshop Will Cover Hay Nutrition
Texas Cooperative Extension of Harris County will
present Equine Health, a horse care workshop, from 8:30 a.m. until noon
on July 15 at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.
Extension professionals will show horse owners how to determine the
nutritional value of different types of hay and how to maintain a
healthy pasture. The workshop will also cover the national animal
identification program and common horse health issues, and there will be
hands-on instruction for checking a horse's vital signs.
Floron Faries, extension veterinarian, will join Harris County's Wayne
Thompson, extension agent for agriculture, in presenting the workshop.
A $10 donation is requested to cover the cost of lunch. To register,
call Diana Todd at 281-855-5600.
Source: Texas A&M University.
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Calendar
**July 19 -- Northeast Florida Beef And Forage Group
Regional Hay Field Day, North Florida Research and Education Center,
Suwannee Valley, Live Oak. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Refreshments, lunch and packet included in $5 registration fee. Call
Elena Toro at 386-752-5384 by July 14.
**Aug. 7-9 -- Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, Texas A&M
University, College Station. Register online at animalscience.tamu.edu or by calling 979-845-6931.
**Aug. 25 -- Illinois Forage Expo, Hildebrandt Farms, 2475 State
Line Road, South Beloit. Learn more at www.illinoisforage.org, or contact the Illinois Forage
& Grassland Council at 618-664-0555, ext. 3.
**Sept. 7-9 -- National Hay Association 111th Annual Convention,
Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole, WY. Call 800-707-0014 or visit www.nationalhay.org.
**Sept. 7-9 -- Stockman's School For Profit, Rockin H Ranch,
Norwood, MO. Gerald Fry and Cody Holms will provide real live data and a
close-up look at how the Rockin H Ranch of 900 cow/calf pairs has grown
to a successful family operation in the last 31 years. Ranchers can
learn how to profitably operate a ranch. Contact Cody Holmes at
417-844-2619, email rockinh@getgoin.net, or visit www.rochinh.net.
**Sept. 12 -- Kentucky Forage And Grassland Council Field Day,
Dobbs Shady Meadow Farm, Campbell County. Learn more at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.
**Sept. 21-24 -- World Beef Expo, Wisconsin State Fair Park near
Milwaukee. Learn more at www.worldbeefexpo.com, or call 414-266-7050.
**Oct. 3-7 -- World Dairy Expo, Alliant Energy Center, Madison,
WI. Learn more at www.worlddairyexpo.com.
**Oct. 17-19 -- Sunbelt Ag Exposition, Moultrie, GA.
**Nov. 21 -- Kentucky Grazing Conference, Fayette County
Extension Office, Lexington. Learn more at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.
**Dec. 11-13 -- Western Alfalfa & Forage Conference, Reno, NV.
Contact Dan Putnam at 530-752-8982 or dhputnam@ucdavis.edu, or Glenn
Shewmaker at 208-736-3608 or gshew@uidaho.edu.
**Jan. 18-19 -- Southwest Hay Conference, Ruidoso Convention
Center, Ruidoso, New Mexico. Contact Doug Whitney at dug@plateautel.net, or call Gina
Sterrett at 505-626-5677.
**Jan. 24-25 -- Heart Of America Grazing Conference, Holiday Inn,
Mount Vernon, IL. Contact Garry Lacefield at 270-365-7541, ext. 202, or
glacefie@uky.edu.
**Feb. 27 -- Kentucky Alfalfa Conference, Cave City Convention
Center. Learn more at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.
**Feb. 28-March 2 -- National Grassfed Beef Conference,
Grantville, PA. Contact John Comerford at 814-863-3661 or jxc555@gmail.com, or Dave Hartman at
570-784-6660, ext. 12, or dwh2@psu.edu.
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