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Alfalfa Leaf Image 2018 California Alfalfa & Forage Symposium
& Soil Health and Fertility Workshop Alfalfa Leaf Image
Producing Healthy Forage Systems
November 27th - November 29th, 2018 | Reno, NV
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Sponsors

The organizers of the 2018 California Alfalfa & Grains Conference wish to express their heartfelt thanks to the many sponsors of this year's conference.

2018 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 48th 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 27th

6:30am-7:00pm Symposium and Exhibitor Registration


7:30pm CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST (workshop participants only)

8:15am-4:55pm SOIL HEALTH AND FERTILITY WORKSHOP
Overview: Top-level forage production begins with the health of the soil and understanding soil fertility and nutrient management. It’s well known that forages (especially legumes) contribute to healthy soils, but soils can still degrade in forage systems. This workshop reviews the principles of soil fertility and soil health and provide hands-on training for soil fertility management for forage crops. These crops include alfalfa, other legumes, and grass hay. The objective is to develop better skill sets to manage soils, cropping systems, and nutrients to maximize yields, quality, and soil health, and meet water quality regulations.
View Workshop Papers (PDF) & Videos

5:00pm-7:00pm SYMPOSIUM WELCOME RECEPTION WITH EXHIBITORS
Cocktails and Hors D'oevures. Exhibits open.

Day Two - Wednesday, November 28th

8:00am Welcome and Announcements

Forage, Dairy Trends and Regulatory Issues

Moderator: Dan Putnam, Forage Specialist, University of California, Davis, CA
8:10am Western Dairy Trends Anja Raudabaugh, Western United Dairymen, Modesto, CA
8:35am Status of the Western Hay Markets Seth Hoyt, The Hoyt Report, Ione, CA
9:00am California Regulatory Trends Jim Houston, California Farm Bureau Federation, Sacramento, CA Video
9:25am California Groundwater Situation and Groundwater Sustainability Act Thomas Harter, Cooperative Extension Specialist, University of California, Davis, CA Video

9:50am DISCUSSION Video

Water Management and Productivity

Moderator: Shannon Mueller, UCCE Farm Advisor, Fresno County, CA
10:30am ET-based Irrigation of Alfalfa: Principles and Practical Implementations Daniele Zaccaria, Irrigation Specialist, University of California, Davis, CA Video
10:55am Opportunities for Automation of Surface Irrigation Khaled Bali, UC Cooperative Extension, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier, CA Video - Presentation Video - Q&A Paper (PDF)
11:20 Opportunities for Management of Alfalfa under High Salinity Sharon Benes, California State University, Fresno, CA Video Paper (PDF)
11:45am DISCUSSION Video

12:00pm SYMPOSIUM LUNCH
  • Jim Kunh Award: Presented by Rachael Long on behalf of CAFA
  • California Alfalfa & Forage Association: Update on Activities Brandon Fawaz, Fawaz Farming, CAFA Board Member
1:30pm-5:00pm SYMPOSIUM MAIN SESSION


Pest Management I

Moderator: Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, UCCE Farm Advisor, San Joaquin Co., Stockton, CA
1:30pm Fear No Weevil: How to Manage Weevils in Alfalfa Rachael Long, UCCE Farm Advisor, Woodland, CA Video Paper (PDF)
1:50pm Alfalfa Aphids, Caterpillars, Insecticides and IPM: What did we see in 2018 and Implications for 2019 Michael Rethwisch, UCCE Farm Advisor, Blythe, CA Video Paper (PDF)
2:10pm Importance of IPM Practices for Pesticide Resistance Management Ian Grettenberger, Extension Entomologist, University of California, Davis Video Paper (PDF)
2:30pm Management of Diseases and Nematodes in Alfalfa Don Miller, Plant Breeder, Alforex Seeds, Nampa, ID Video Paper (PDF)

DISCUSSION - Pest Management I Video

3:00pm BREAK

Pest Management II

Moderator: Lynn Sosnoskie, UCCE Farm Advisor, Merced, CA
3:30pm Managing Weeds in Organic and Conventional Seedling Alfalfa Mariano Galla, UCCE Farm Advisor, Orland, CA Paper (PDF)
3:50pm Tools of the Trade: Approaches for Weed Management in Established Alfalfa Tom Getts, UCCE Farm Advisor, Susanville, CA Video Paper (PDF)
4:10pm Poisonous Weeds have Problematic Impacts on Animals Larry Forero, UCCE Farm Advisor, Redding, CA Video Paper (PDF)
4:30pm Agronomic Practices and Impacts on Pest Management: Varieties, Cropping Systems Dan Putnam, Forage Specialist, University of California, Davis, CA Video Paper (PDF) Slides (PDF)

DISCUSSION - Pest Management II Video

5:30pm-7:00pm EXHIBITOR RECEPTION AND AUCTION BENEFITING CAFA AUCTION  Hors D’oeuvres and No-host Cocktails 

DAY 3 - Thursday, November 29th

8:00am-12:30pm SYMPOSIUM MAIN SESSION  

Exports, Environment, and Forage Quality

Moderator: Rachael Long, UCCE Farm Advisor, Woodland, CA
8:05am Hay Export Trends John Szczepanski, US Forage Export Council, Portland, OR Video Paper (PDF)
8:30am US Farm Bill, International Trade and Potential Impacts on Forage Crops Dan Sumner, Ag Issues Center, University of California, Davis, CA Video Paper (PDF)

DISCUSSION - Exports Video

8:55am Alfalfa & Wildlife – Why is it important? Khara Strum, Audubon California, Sacramento, CA Video
9:30am Break

Alfalfa Quality & Genetics

Moderator: Charlie Brummer, University of California, Davis, CA
10:00am Recent Changes in California Dairy Ration Formulation Strategies that Impact the Future of Alfalfa Hay as a Dairy Feed Peter Robinson, Dairy Nutritionist, University of California, Davis, CA Video Paper (PDF)
10:25am Evolution of Laboratory Measurements – Current and Future Opportunities Ralph Ward, Cumberland Valley Analytical Labs, Waynesboro, PA Video
10:50am Reduced Lignin Trait in Alfalfa Results from Multi-State Trials Kim Cassida, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI Video
11:15am Innovations in Alfalfa Genetics – Presentations and Round Table Discussion University of California – Charlie Brummer, Plant Sciences Department, University of California, Davis, CA; Dupont Pioneer – Daniel Wiersma, Grimes, IA; Forage Genetics Int’l – Jake Blauer, Nampa, ID; S&W Seed Company – Mark Smith, Nampa, ID
Video - Presentations & Round Table Video - Discussion

12:15pm ADJOURN
CONTINUING EDUCATIONThe 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.
The following CE credits have been approved:

  • Arizona: 4 hours
  • Oregon: 3 hours
  • Utah: 4 hours
  • Montana: 3 hours
  • California: 2 hours
  • Washington: 2.5 hours
  • Nevada: 4 hours
  • Idaho: pending approval
Certified Crop Advisor

  • Nutrient Management: 1.5 hours
  • Soil & Water Management: 6 hours
  • Integrated Pest Management: 2.5 hours
  • Professional Development: 4 hours
  • Sustainability: 0.5 hours
 

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