
2016 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium
Aiming Towards Profitability
November 29th - December 4th, 2016 | Reno, NV
Sponsors
The organizers of the 2016 California Alfalfa & Grains Conference wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the many sponsors of this year's conference.
- S & W Seed Company
- HarvXtra Alfalfa
- Bowles Farming Company
- CropScience, a division of Bayer
- San Joaquin Valley Hay Growers
- Western Ag Enterprises, Inc.
- America's alfalfa
- Senniger Irrigation
- American Ag Credit
- Eureka Seeds
- Sierra Testing Service
- Toro Micro Irrigation
- Reinke
- Progressive Forage Grower
2016 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium, sponsored by the The UC California Alfalfa & Forage Systems Workgroup & Cooperative Extension Services of AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY.
Now in its 46th year, the symposium is planned each year by the California Alfalfa & Forage Systems Workgroup, made up of University of California Farm Advisors and Scientists in UC Cooperative Extension, along with grower and industry liaison members. The comprehensive conference covered many aspects of alfalfa, forage & grains management from economics to pest management, irrigation and utilization. Videos, papers, and slidesets related to the presentations have been posted below.
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Schedule of Events
DAY ONE-Tuesday, November 29
6:30am-7:00pm
Symposium and Exhibitor Registration
4:50pm
Adjourn
5:30pm-7:30pm
Symposium Welcome Reception with Exhibitors
Cocktails and Hors D'oevures. Exhibits open.
DAY TWO - Wednesday, November 30
6:30am-7:00pm
SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION
7:00am-8:00am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:00am-12pm
SYMPOSIUM MAIN SESSION
8:00am
Welcome and Introduction
Dan Putnam, Symposium Chair, University of California, Davis, CA
Economics and Industry Trends
Moderator: TBA
8:35am
California Dairy Trends
Eric Erba, California Dairies, Inc., Visalia, CAT
Video
Slides (PDF)
9:05am
When Someone Claims to Know Where Commodity Prices are Really Heading… Grab Your Wallet and Run!
Daniel A. Sumner, Ag Issues Center, University of California, Davis, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
9:35am
Reducing Costs in a Down year: Where to Cut and Where Not to Cut?
Steve Orloff, UC Cooperative Extension, Yreka, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
10:05am
BREAK
Exports, Regulation and Research
Moderator: Robert Ferguson, Ferguson Farms, Stockton, CA
10:30am
Alfalfa Export Trends and GMO Acceptance in Export Markets
Dan Putnam, University of California, Davis, CA
Sensitivity to GE Alfalfa Remains Important for Alfalfa Export and Organic Markets
Dan Putnam, University of California, Davis, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
11:00am
Challenges of Our Regulatory Environment: Emerging Issues of Importance to the Alfalfa Industry
Richard Matteis, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sacramento, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
11:30am
National Research Funding: Although Forages are the Underdog, New and Enhanced Opportunities
Beth Nelson, National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance, St. Paul, MN
Video
Slides (PDF)
11:45am
Developing Funding for Research and Educational Purposes: Why Hay Growers Must Act
Brandon Fawaz, Fawaz Farming, Etna, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
12:00pm
Discussion
12:10pm
SYMPOSIUM LUNCH - Jim Kunh Award
1:30pm-5:10pm
SYMPOSIUM MAIN SESSION
Irrigation & Water Use Efficiency
Moderator: Dennis Hannaford, Netafim, Fresno, CA
1:30pm
Principles of Irrigation Management in Alfalfa Utilizing Evapotranspiration Data
Daniele Zaccaria, University of California, Davis, CA
Video
1:55pm
Low Energy Precision Application (LEPA) and Low Elevation Spray Application (LESA) Trials in the Pacific Northwest
Troy Peters, Washington State University, Prosser, WA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
2:20pm
Tools for Improved Management of Surface Irrigation
Khaled Bali, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
2:45pm
Subsurface Drip Irrigation and Possibilities in Alfalfa
Freddie Lamm, Kansas State University, Colby, KS
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
3:15pm
BREAK
Fertility and Soil Management
Moderator: Shannon Mueller, UC Farm Advisor, Fresno, CA
4:10pm
Management of Phosphorus and Potassium for Alfalfa Production
Nick Clark, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
4:35pm
Global Fertilizer Trends – Getting More Into Your Crop?
Rob Mikkelsen, International Plant Nutrition Institute, Merced, CA
Video
Paper (PDF)
5:30pm-7:00pm
EXHIBITOR RECEPTION AND AUCTION BENEFITING CA ALFALFA & FORAGE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
DAY 3 - Thursday, December 1
7:00am-10:30am
EXHIBITS OPEN
8:00am-12:30pm
SYMPOSIUM MAIN SESSION
Producing Quality Alfalfa
Moderator: Konrad Mathesius, UCCE, Colusa, CA
8:25am
Changing Nature of Dairy Rations
Heidi Rossow, University of California Veterinary Medical Center, Tulare, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
8:50am
Key Agronomic Effects on Forage Quality
Dan Putnam, University of California, Davis, CA
Video
Paper (PDF)
9:15am
Innovative Methods to Preserve Quality
Kevin Shinners, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI Putnam, University of California, Davis, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
9:40am
Preserving Quality and Other Advantages of Bale Wrapping: Iowa and California Experiences
Dan Funke, Funke Custom Baling & Hay Sales, Larchwood, IA, and Brandon Fawaz, Fawaz Farming, Etna, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
10:15am
BREAK
Genes and the Future of Forage Crops
Moderator: Dan Putnam, University of California, Davis, CA
10:40am
Roundup Ready Alfalfa: Avoiding Injury while Maximizing Weed Control
Steve Orloff, UC Cooperative Extension, Yreka, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
Paper (PDF)
11:05am
Emerging Genetic Technologies that May Impact Forage Crops
Charlie Brummer, Plant Breeding Center, University of California, Davis, CA
Video
Slides (PDF)
11:55am
Roundtable Discussion Q & A: What is the Potential Role of Reduced Lignin for Alfalfa and Dairy ProductionSystems and Hay Markets?
Mark McCaslin, Forage Genetics International, Don Miller, Alforex Seeds, David Combs, University of Wisconsin, Heidi Rossow, University of California, Mark Sulc, The Ohio State University and Charlie Brummer, University of California
Video
Slides (PDF)
12:30pm
ADJOURN
CONTINUING EDUCATION The following CE credits have been approved. Please sign in/out of each session you attend to be
eligible for credits. Sign in sheets will be provided in the meeting rooms of each qualifying session.
Certified Crop Advisor Approved CEUs:
Dec. 2 Irrigation Management Workshop: 8 hours Soil & Water Management
Dec. 3 Morning Session: 1.5 hrs. Soil & Water Management; 1.5 hrs. Professional Development
Dec. 3 Breakout: Alternative Forage Crops: 1 hr. Nutrient Management.; 1.5 hrs. Soil & Water Management; 1.5 hrs. Crop Management
Dec. 3 Breakout: Pest Management: 3.5 hrs. Integrated Pest Management
Dec. 4 Morning Session: 2 hrs. Nutrient Management; 2 hrs. Crop Management
Manure Management: 0
Field Tour: 4 hours professional Development (Educational Tour)
CALIFORNIA Pest Control Advisors
Dec 3. Breakout: Pest Management: 2.5 hrs. “Other”; 0.5 hrs. “Pest Laws/Regulations”
OREGON Pesticide Applicators
Dec. 3 Breakout: Pest Management: 2 hrs.
NEVADA Pesticide Applicators
Dec. 3 Breakout: Pest Management: 3 hrs. “General”; 0.5 hrs. “Law”
Soil & Water Management Care
8 hours CCA continuing education credits for workshop