2021 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium

November 16-17-18, 2021 - Reno, NV

Proceedings & Video

DAY ONE - Tuesday, November 16, 2021

8:00am-5:00pm Agricultural Educational Tour in Northern Nevada

Overview: Tour stops will include a large western dairy production operation, a specialized goat dairy, Frey Ranch Distillery, the Derby Dam and Newslands Water Project, and a hay export operation. Pre-registration is required. Bus departs promptly at 8:00 a.m.

DAY TWO - Wednesday, November 17

8:00am Welcome

Maninder K. Walia, University of Nevada, Reno, NV - Video

Session I. 8:00am – 10:00am Economics, Dairy, Trade, and Water Trends
(Moderator: David Hannaway, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR)

8:10am Status of the Western Forage Industry

Josh Callen, The Hoyt Report, Twin Falls, ID - Video

8:35am Current Trends and Challenges for the Western Dairy Industry

Paul Sousa, Western United Dairies, Turlock, CA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

9:00am International Trade Dynamics in Hay and Impacts on Markets

Dan Sumner, University of California, Davis, CA - Video

9:25am Water Situation in West and Impacts on Forages

Jason Kelley, USDA-ARS, Parlier, CA - Video

9:50am Discussion

Video

Session II. 10:30am – 12:00pm Water, Climate Change, and the Environment
(Moderator: Juan Solomon, University of Nevada, Reno, NV)

 

10:30am The Important Role of Alfalfa in an Uncertain Water Future

Dan Putnam, University of California, Davis, CA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

10:55am Key Role of Forages in Climate-Smart Agriculture

Josh Gamble, USDA-ARS, St. Paul, MN - Video

11:20am Rethinking Methane – Livestock’s Path to Climate Neutrality

Frank Mitloener, University of California, Davis, CA - Video

11:45am Discussion

Video

12:00pm-1:00pm Why Forage Statistics?

Gary R. Keough, USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Presentation of the Jim Kuhn Leadership Award to Rick Staas, SJ Valley Haygrowers Assn.

Brandon Fawaz, California Alfalfa & Forage Association Chairman

Session III. 1:30pm-3:00pm (concurrent: Pest Management (Weeds and Rodents)
(Moderator: Tom Getts, University of California Cooperative Extension, Susanville, CA)

1:30pm Burn-Down Strategies for Alfalfa Weed Control

Earl Creech, Utah State University, Logan, UT - Video

1:50pm Residual and Postemergence Weed Control in Seedling Alfalfa

Albert Adjesiwor, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID - Video

2:10pm Toxic Plants that Contaminate Hay and Other Forages in the Western United States

Bryan L. Stegelmeier, USDA-ARS, Logan, UT - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

2:30pm Managing Pocket Gophers in Alfalfa

Roger Baldwin, University of California, Davis, CA Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

2:50pm Discussion

Video

Session IV. 3:30pm – 5:00pm (concurrent): Pest Management (Insects)
(Moderator: Ayman Mostafa, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ)

3:30pm Grasshoppers: To Treat or Not to Treat?

Greg Abbot, USDA-APHIS, Logan, Utah Video

3:50pm Alfalfa Weevil Management & Resistance Issues

Ian Grettenberger, University of California, Davis, CA and Kevin Wanner, Montana State University, Bozeman, MTVideo | 2021 Proceedings PDF

4:10pm Blue Alfalfa Aphids in the Western US - Management Challenges and Successes Vary by Location

Michael Rethwisch, University of California Cooperative Extension, Blythe, CA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

4:30pm Using Drones to Control Pests in Alfalfa

Rachael Long, UCCE, Woodland, CA and Ken Giles, University of California, Davis, CA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

4:50pm Discussion

Video

Session V. 1:30pm – 3:00pm (concurrent): Water Management
(Moderator: Leonard Lauriault, New Mexico State University, Tucumcari, NM)

1:30pm Innovative Technologies for Water Conservation in Flood Irrigation Systems

Khaled Bali, University of California, Kearney Research and Extension Center, Parlier, CA - Video

1:50pm Optimizing Overhead Irrigation Systems

Matt Yost, Utah State University, Logan, UT Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

2:10pm Alfalfa on Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) – Pros and Cons

Doug Larson, Ag Water Chemical, Fresno, CA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

2:30pm Alfalfa and Groundwater Management Strategies to Address Drought and Limited Water Supplies

Rachael Long, UCCE, Woodland, CA and Ken Giles, University of California, Davis, CA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

2:50pm Discussion

Video

Session VI. 3:30pm – 5:00pm (concurrent): Alternative Forages
(Moderator: Anowarul Islam, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY)

3:30pm Sugar Beets and Safflower as Alternative Winter Forages

Steve Kaffka, University of California, Davis, CA - Video

3:50pm Double Cropping Both Winter and Spring Canola as Silage and Grain

Steve Fransen, Washington State University, Prosser, WAVideo | 2021 Proceedings PDF

4:10pm Hemp Production and Animal Feed Potential

Serkan Ates, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR - Video

4:30pm Winter and Summer Annual Small Grain Forage Crops

Guojie Wang, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

4:50pm Discussion

Video

DAY THREE - Thursday, November 18, 2021

Session VII. 8:00am – 9:55am Soil Health and Fertility, Forage Systems, and Environment
(Moderator: Rachael Long, University of California Cooperative Extension, Woodland, CA)

8:00am Using Hay Tests Samples to Maximize Economic Returns from P and K Fertilization

Steve Norberg, Washington State University, Pasco, WA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

8:25am Recycling and Management of Manure in Forage Crops

Eric Young, USDA-ARS, Marshfield, WIVideo | 2021 Proceedings PDF

8:50am Soil Health: Beyond Organic Matter and Carbon

Robert Dungan, USDA-ARS Kimberly, ID - Video

9:15am Regeneration Nation: Alfalfa’s Role in Sustainable Agriculture

Emily Meccage, Forage Genetics International, Muncy, PA - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

9:40am Discussion

Video

Session VIII. 10:25am – 12:15pmGrazing Forages, Nitrates, Future of Forages
(Moderators: Don Miller, Corteva, Inc., Nampa, ID, and Emily Meccage, FGI, Muncy, PA)

10:25am Grazing Cover Crops and Opportunity for Forage Producers

Sam Wyffels, Montana State University, Havre, MT - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

10:50am Management of Forages with High Nitrates

Hayes Goosey, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF

11:15am Historical Perspectives and Future of Forages

Moderator: Emily Meccage, FGI, Muncy, PAPanel: Mylen Bohle, Oregon State University; Steve Fransen, Washington State University; Mike Ottman, University of Arizona; Glenn Shewmaker, University of Idaho; Dan Putnam, University of California, Davis. - Video | 2021 Proceedings PDF