Hay there! Purdue Forage Day shows how production is done

That's not likely to happen overnight in a state where corn and soybeans account for half of the more than $6 billion in annual farm production. Still, farmers who grow hay along with their grain crops can produce higher quality, more profitable forage if they are committed to the hay business, said Keith Johnson, Purdue University Extension forage specialist.

"What too often happens in this state is we have the conflict of planting that last bit of corn and soybean acreage, and it's time to harvest the hay," Johnson said. "By not harvesting that hay, corn and soybean producers may miss the three-day window of opportunity to make a quality hay crop."

Hay growers — including those who produce the crop as a supplement to their corn and soybean income — can learn how to get more from their forage crop at the 2006 Purdue Forage Day. The 26th annual field day will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT on June 22 at Hickory Knoll Farms, located southwest of South Bend, Ind., near North Liberty. The event is free, with lunch available for a nominal charge.

The event is free, with lunch available for a nominal charge.

Hay left in the field longer than it should be can lose nutritional value and, with it, sales value, Johnson said. Indiana's unpredictable spring weather can hasten the crop's decline, he said.

"Oftentimes we'll get wet weather for a two-week period and, from May 20 to June 10, we take a crop that was of excellent quality and turn it into a crop that's below average," Johnson said. "Then come tumbling prices and one less hay harvest in the year.

"An individual has to be committed to hay production. If the crop is alfalfa, we want to have four harvests of a high-quality crop."

There is a rising demand for high-quality hay in Indiana, Johnson said. The state's growing dairy industry, along with the increasing interest in horses for recreation, is fueling the demand.

Farms like Hickory Knoll are cashing in on the expanding hay market. The Purdue Forage Day host farm grows hay on 600 acres of its approximately 1,300 acres. Hickory Knoll operators Jim Kobold and Sam Baker sell much of their hay to Indiana dairies. Kobold and Baker will discuss their hay business during the field day's lunch program.

The field day begins with educational sessions on forage management and new technology, including Roundup Ready alfalfa.

"The morning workshops will address forage production issues that we think will be of concern to most of the attendees," Johnson said. "We'll address topics ranging from seeding to fertilization to the control of different pests, such as insects, weeds and diseases. We'll end with harvest-related issues."

Johnson and Rich Leep, a Michigan State University forage specialist, will lead the morning sessions. The afternoon is devoted to harvesting demonstrations by equipment manufacturers.

"One of the things unique about Purdue Forage Day — and there aren't many of these days across the Midwest — is the opportunity to view equipment operating in the field," Johnson said. "Each year equipment manufacturers are invited to participate in the static display of equipment, but that static display becomes live in the afternoon."

Forage day visitors also are invited to enter the annual hay quality contest. Participants must bring an unbroken bale of grass, legume or mixed forage. Winners in the three divisions will receive a certificate and forage-related products.

For more information about Purdue Forage Day, including directions to the field day location, log onto the event Web site or contact Johnson at (765) 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu.

Writer: Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Source: Keith Johnson, (765) 494-4800, johnsonk@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

Related Web site:
Purdue Department of Agronomy

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