Clik here to view.
Choosing Seeds for Your Forage
The percentage of grass in legume-grass mixtures should generally be less than 25 – 40%, up to 50% in pastures, because too much grass will lower the protein content of the hay and may require more...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Seedbed Preparation for Forage
It is impossible to give definite recommendations regarding fertilizers without knowing what your soil needs, but the soil should have a high level of available calcium and phosphorus. If your soil...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Planting Density for Forage
Whether you want to use broadcast, drill, or band seeding methods may depend mainly on your situation and available equipment. With good soil conditions, any seeding method can give good results. Source
View ArticleClik here to view.
Forage: When to Harvest
The first cutting of a new stand should be delayed until the plants are strong and vigorous and have a good root system, generally 70 to 90 days after germination for a spring seeding. Source
View ArticleClik here to view.
Brix Measurement Standards
Thus, the total advantage of high-quality alfalfa goes beyond that indicated by digestible nutrient content and is compounded by a potential for being consumed at higher levels, a faster rate of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Measure Alfalfa Quality
One of the keys to keeping the right balance of nutrients is to have well aerated soil with plenty of humus, for humus and its associated microorganisms tend to provide balanced nutrition to plants....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nutrient Deficiencies in Alfalfa
Severe sickness is usually easy to spot because of visible discoloration or dying of above-ground parts. Less severe deficiencies and toxicities are harder to diagnose. Often the plants look healthy,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Common Forage Pests and Problems
If your soil is not yet in good condition, or if the weather isn’t cooperating, and your plants are under stress and are attacked by a disease or pest, all the Utopian theories in the world will not...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Opinion: Making the Case for Organic Certification (Terrance Layhew)
The kind of certification you receive verifies to the customer that you have been proven to hold the same values they care about. Source
View ArticleClik here to view.
How to Brainstorm a Successful Business System for Your Farm
What are your short-term and long-term goals and needs? Just for supplementary income or to start a whole new business? Do you want steady year-round income or will a seasonal operation meet your...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Direct Marketing and the Small Farm
To make a living on a small farm, we must cut out the middlemen who today make virtually all the profit between farm harvest and ultimate sale to the consumer. Subscription farming and good use of a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Operating A Subscription System Farm
Let us assume you have been through the start-up activity and have two or more years of experience selling at a farmer’s market. You will have some idea of how you do things, what you do best, what...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Calculating Income and Business Projections for Your Farming Operation
Any way you go, breaking down your costs is a very healthy exercise and reality check. Unfortunately people who get into the plant business are generally not number-oriented folks, but it really is an...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Adding to Your Farm Crew: How to Hire and Keep Employees
I also ask them why they want this job. If their immediate response is, “I love working with plants,” then you probably have a winner. Remember, this is your livelihood and small mistakes can create...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Women in Agriculture Supporting One Another
According to the 2012 census, at least 30 percent of all farm operators in America are women, and women are currently the fastest growing group of organic and sustainable farmers. According to the...
View Article