2021 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium
November 16-17-18, 2021 - Reno, NV
Quick Summary
- The 2021 Western Alfalfa and Forage Symposium was held November 16 - 18, 2021 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, NV. Here are proceedings and videos of the presentations.
2021 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium
Organized by: University Cooperative Extension Services of AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, and WY, in cooperation with grower members of the California Alfalfa & Forage Association.
Hosted by: California Alfalfa & Forage Association
Symposium Chairs: Dan Putnam, University of California, Earl Creech, Utah State University, Emily Meccage, Forage Genetics International
The organizers of the 2021 California Alfalfa & Grains Conference wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the many sponsors of this year's conference.
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. 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 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. 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 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. 1:30 pm-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. 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (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, MT Video | 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. 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (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. 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (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, WA Video | 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
8:00am-12:15pm Main Session
Session VII. 8:00 a.m. – 9:55 a.m. 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, WI Video | 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
9:40m Discussion Video
Session VIII. 10:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Grazing 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, PA Panel: 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