NCA 2009 President's Award Recipient - The Progressive Rancher ...

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GROW MORE FEED, NOT THE WEEDS! Alfalfas that Lead in the Field! 6306Q-Somerset 6442Q-Boulder Expedition 6475 (New) 6552 (New) 919 Brand 919 MF Gold Conventional Alfalfa Varieties Cinch I (ML) Cinch II Ron’s Blend Haymaker (ML) Blazer XL Genoa Tahoe Common Ladak Vernal Ranger Renograzer Round Up Ready Alfalfas FD WH Liberator 4 VH 6497R (New) 4 VH Mutiny 4.3 VH 6516R (New) 5 H Revolt 6 Grain & Miscellaneous Oats • Cayuse • Monida Wheat • Twin • PR 1404 Peas Corn Soghum Sudan • BMR • Piper Sudan Grass • Sweet RN Honey Triticale • Forerunner (Beardless) Ryegrain • Gazelle - Spring • Prima - Fall • VNS Beardless Barley Millet Milo Sunflower Garrison Meadow Foxtail Dryland & Reclamation Seed Wheatgrasses Nordan Crested Thickspike Bluebunch Hycrest Crested Siberian Wheatgrass Oahe Intermediate Pubescent Indian Recegrass Big Sagebrush Clovers Alsike Ladino Red Clover Strawberry White Dutch New Zealand Yellow Blossom Trefoil Ron’s Dryland Mix Ron’s Rangeland Mix Forage Kochia Great Basin Wild Rye Ladak Alfalfa PNW Dryland Tall Wheatgrass Shadescale 4 Wing Saltbush We Have Varieties Available That are Organically Approved Turf Grasses Manhattan Special Ky Blue Grass Athletic Turf Mix TT Perennial Ryegrass Chewings Fesque Defiance XRE (Drought Tolerant) Pasture Mixes Olympic Elite University w/Clover University w/No Clover Northwest Pasture Horse Pasture PNW Dryland Mix Field Grasses Orchard Grasses • Stampede • Dawn XL • Seco (Dryland) • Haymate XL • Potomac • Paiute • Teff Grass Meadow Brome Smooth Brome • Annual Rye Grass • Perennial Rye Grasses Timothy’s • Climax • Telon Express • Treasure Fawn Tall Fesque Serving Agriculture for 31 Years Call or Stop In For Our Complete List of Seeds & Grains! RON’S SEED & SUPPLY 710 Grass Valley Road • Winnemucca, NV 89445 775-623-5053 or 1-800-603-5053 YOUR SEED, FERTILIZER & CHEMICAL HEADQUARTERS FOR NEVADA 22 April 2013 The Progressive Rancher www.progressiverancher.com
Selecting Alfalfa Varieties: Fall Dormancy, Winter Hardiness and Pest Resistance By: Brent Johnson, Alfalfa Brand Manager, NEXGROW ® alfalfa As you’re planning for the upcoming planting year, it is crucial to consider your planting environment and what traits best suit that climate. Fall dormancy and winter hardiness are key aspects to consider when choosing the best seed option for your acreage. Some think that these qualities are only important in terms of winter survival, but they also promote growth during the spring months. And the difference between the two is vital as well. For instance, fall dormancy relates to how quickly a plant shuts down in the fall and when it greens up in the spring, while winter hardiness determines a plant’s ability to survive over multiple winters and the longevity of the alfalfa stand. What is Fall Dormancy? Fall dormancy is rated on a scale of 1 to 11 and stem growth in the fall serves as the basis for assigning varieties a relative fall dormancy rating. A fall dormancy of 1 indicates the crop is very dormant and will demonstrate the least height of growth during the fall. Typically, the more dormant the variety, the slower it regrows after harvest but the better it survives adverse winter conditions. In contrast, a rating of 11 indicates the least fall dormancy and greatest height of fall growth. These very non-dormant varieties are highly susceptible to winterkill. Higher fall dormancy varieties tend to green-up faster in the spring and continue growing later in the fall. This extra growth period could make the difference when attempting to gain one additional cutting during the growing season. Higher fall dormancy varieties tend to have the highest yields, while lower fall dormancy ratings are associated with higher forage quality. During the fall, dormant varieties – typically those with a ranking of 2 to 4 – alter their chemical processes to prepare for winter survival. Starch in the crown and root is converted into sugars that function as antifreeze and helps keep the crown, crown buds and root from freezing at temperatures below 32˚F. Crown buds form during the fall and are ultimately the source of growth during the spring, providing healthy and strong plants for summer harvest. Separating Fall Dormancy and Winter Hardiness Like fall dormancy, winter hardiness is also ranked on a scale, in this case from 1 to 6 (extremely winter hardy to not winter hardy). Winter hardiness determines a crop’s potential to survive multiple winters and often has a direct correlation to stand longevity and crop yield. Until recently, lower fall dormancy varieties were thought to provide the best winter hardiness. While fall dormancy may have an impact on winter hardiness, other factors such as disease and pest resistance ratings also play a role. Through advanced breeding techniques in recent years, however, researchers have separated the correlation between fall dormancy and winter hardiness. Today, growers can plant later fall dormancy varieties without sacrificing the winter hardiness and persistence that can lead to longer stand life. For instance, in most areas in central and northern Nevada, suggested fall dormancy levels are usually between 3 and 5 with some fall and late winter growth. Know Your Climate & Pests Understanding your geography and climate will help when the time comes to selecting a variety. If the alfalfa is cut every 35 to 40 days, select a variety with low fall dormancy. If you are on an aggressive cutting schedule, such as 26 to 30 days, select a variety with a higher fall dormancy rating. Aside from cutting schedules, another factor affecting fall dormancy is elevation. This is especially true in Nevada where elevation varies greatly throughout the state. Typically, a safe rule to follow is the higher the elevation, the lower the fall dormancy. High yield, quality and outstanding persistence are all essential qualities for strong, durable alfalfa stands. Beyond fall dormancy and winter hardiness, pest resistance is essential when choosing which variety to plant in the upcoming season. For instance, stem nematode is a pest that is particularly harmful in the Nevada climate. Parasitic or stem nematodes are microscopic roundworms which can cause reduced yield and stand life to alfalfa fields. Several species of stem nematodes have been identified as being parasitic to alfalfa and it is not unusual for several different species of nematodes to be present in a single alfalfa field. Symptoms of nematode damage are varied and are often confused with other problems. In addition to direct feeding injury, nematodes cause wounds on roots and stems that allow other diseases such as Fusarium or bacterial wilt to invade the plant. Thriving in Nevada Two specific NEXGROW ® alfalfa varieties that are made to thrive in the Nevada climate are Roundup Ready ® Mutiny and 6516R. Mutiny offers a fall dormancy of 4 and is very hardy to survive cold Nevada winters. It offers a large yield potential of high quality forage from first cut to last with excellent stand persistence and very fast recovery after cutting with high leaf retention. Variety 6516R has a fall dormancy of 5 and is also hardy. It offers rapid recovery after cutting which enables the maximum number of harvests. This variety offers excellent forage quality and very good drought stress resistance. Both Mutiny and 6516R have high pest and disease resistance, specifically to stem nematodes. Considering the climate you’re growing in is essential to achieving maximum yield potential. Be sure that fall dormancy, winter hardiness and pest protection are topics you discuss with your seed representative when selecting future varieties for planting. Visit http://www.plantNEXGROW.com for additional information. ©2013 Nexgrow Genetics, Nampa, ID 83653 Read All Bag Tags. They contain important conditions of sale, including limitations of warranty and remedy. Genuity® Roundup Ready® Alfalfa seed is available for sale and distribution by authorized Seed Companies or their dealers for use in the United States only. This seed may not be planted outside of the United States, or for the production of seed, or sprouts. www.progressiverancher.com The Progressive Rancher April 2013 23
Page 1 and 2: NCA 2009 President’s Award Recipi
Page 3 and 4: As we look forward to spring and tu
Page 5 and 6: The Progressive R ancher newly earm
Page 7 and 8: Cooperative Extension Announces Wee
Page 9 and 10: OFFICE: 775-423-7760 JACK PAYNE Cel
Page 11 and 12: Flying In the Face of Common Sense
Page 13 and 14: You can’t make this stuff up!!!!!
Page 15 and 16: Invited Property Rights Editorial N
Page 17 and 18: Nutrition & Health Your success dep
Page 19 and 20: 4 control of public lands in Nevada
Page 21: Table 2. Vegetation Cover by Treatm
Page 25 and 26: Federal Coordination with County Pl
Page 27 and 28: Handling and Stockmanship Skills Fl
Page 29 and 30: Shaw Cattle Co. Production Sale Rep
Page 31 and 32: The Return of an Uphill Domestic Ho
Page 33 and 34: Range Plants for the Rancher By Pau
Page 35 and 36: Canada Thistle Background Photo: UA
Page 37 and 38: Spotted Knapweed appeared near Miss
Page 39 and 40: The Progressive Rancher Coloring Pa

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