No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The study objectives were to determine the dry matter intake, urine pH, Ca concentration in blood, Ca output in urine, and incidence of hypocalcemia from pregnant, non-lactating dairy cows during the prepartum period consuming diets containing either grass hay (GH) or alfalfa hay (AH) with the inclusion of either calcium chloride (CL) or polyhalite mineral (PO). Eighty Holstein cows in their 2nd parity or greater were fed an experimental diet according to a 2 2 factorial arrangement of treatments during the prepartum period (21 d before calving). All diets had a dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) below -190 mEq/kg/DM. Grass hay contained 7.5% CP, 74.9% NDF, 0.36% Ca, 0.02% Na, 1.88% K, 0.38% Cl, and 0.15% S. Alfalfa hay contained 19.6% CP, 45.6% NDF, 1.52% Ca, 0.16% Na, 2.5% K, 0.77% Cl, and 0.32% S. Cows consuming grass hay tended to consume more dry matter than cows consuming alfalfa hay (11.6 vs 10.8 kg/d), but dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected by the acidogenic products. Urine pH decreased below 6.5 for all diets and was greatest for cows consuming the GHPO diet. The concentration of calcium in plasma decreased significantly (P < 0.01) around calving but neither the hay type (P=0.86) nor the acidogenic product (P =0.81) affected it. Urinary calcium output was less for cows consuming the GHPO diet. Cows consuming diets containing alfalfa hay had a greater incidence of normocalcemia (37 and 40% for AHCL and AHPO, respectively) than cows consuming diets containing grass hay (20 and 25% for GHCL and GHPO, respectively). In conclusion, alfalfa hay can be included in prepartum diets without necessarily increasing the incidence of hypocalcemia, and the cation-anion difference of alfalfa hay is a determinant of whether it can be included in the prepartum diet. / Master of Science in Life Sciences / Hypocalcemia, low concentrations of calcium in the blood, is more prevalent during the transition from pregnancy to post-pregnancy and can be diagnosed through blood analysis or by observing physical symptoms. The dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) is the acid-base regulation of the diet and has been used to prevent hypocalcemia during the pre-calving period. The objective of this study was to feed 2 types of hay and 2 types of acidogenic products (Grass Hay/Calcium Chloride, Grass Hay/POlyhalite, Alfalfa Hay/Calcium Chloride, and Alfalfa Hay/POlyhalite) to non-lactating cows in their pre-calving period and observe variables in relation to the incidence of periparturient hypocalcemia. The variables included plasma and urine calcium concentrations pre-calving (21 days) and post-calving (3 days), dry matter intake (DMI) during the pre-calving period, and urine pH. Cows decreased in their dry matter intake toward calving and consumed more grass hay than alfalfa hay (11.6 vs. 10.8 kg/d). All four diets were in a negative DCAD and successfully decreased urine pH for all cows. Calcium concentrations in plasma decreased around calving, but this was not affected by hay type or acidogenic product. Urinary calcium output was greatest in the GHCL-fed cows. The study resulted in further differentiation of cows with plasma calcium concentrations ≤ 5.5 mg/dL without physical symptoms and an animal with ≤ 5.5 mg/dL and a loss of muscle function. Only one cow had a loss of muscle function; however, 13 out of 79 cows had calcium concentrations that according to past research, should've resulted in this. Additionally, 44 out of 79 cows had calcium concentrations between 5.5 and 8.0 mg/dL at least once after calving. In conclusion, alfalfa can be included in pre-calving diets as long as the DCAD is negative.

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A field study was carried out to determine the effects of different fertilizers on yield and quality of alfalfa. Two harvests over a period of four cuttings did not reveal any differences due to treatment. While alfalfa often responds to phosphorus (P) fertilizer application, conditions in this study provided adequate P as well as nitrogen (N) and potassium (K).

No description available.

The tolerance of seedling alfalfa to norflurazon applied at various times after planting was evaluated at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) and in Glendale, AZ during 1998 and 1999. At each application date, rates of 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, or 4 lbs a.i./A of norflurazon formulated as a 5% sand granule (Zorial 5G) were applied using a ground driven Valmar granule applicator. Zorial 5G at rates ranging from 1.5 to 4.0 lbs a.i./acre applied as early as 25 days after planting (DAP) had no effect on alfalfa seedling emergence and stand establishment at (MAC). Significant alfalfa height reductions were observed as Zorial 5G rate was increased when Zorial was applied at 25 and 62 DAP (MAC) and 64 DAP (Glendale). Alfalfa fresh weight yield for the MAC location was reduced at the second cutting after application as Zorial 5G rate increased for the at planting and 25 DAP treatments. Alfalfa yields approximately one year after planting were not affected by applications of Zorial 5G at 25 DAP or later. Results suggest that Zorial applications at rates of 1 to 2 lbs a.i./A applied at the 3 to 4 trifoliate leaf stage (approximately 2 months after planting) have little effect on yield at first and second cuttings of alfalfa.

Various rates of two insecticides were tested for efficacy on threecornered alfalfa hopper and Empoasca sp. leafhoppers. Data were also collected for efficacy of insecticides on beneficial insects present. Hay quality samples were taken after baling. Both insecticides provided excellent control of threecornered alfalfa hopper, and Baythroid also controlled Empoasca sp.leafhoppers. Quality of hay was increased where threecornered alfalfa hoppers were controlled, although this control was for only eight days prior to cutting. A decrease in digestible hay protein was noted with increasing numbers of Empoasca sp. leafhoppers.

Two rates of Raptor herbicide were evaluated for late winter weed control in alfalfa in combination with various types of surfactancts, the insecticide Furadan, and other alfalfa herbicides with known limited control spectrums. Herbicides that were combined with Raptor were also evaluated separately, as was Pursuit. Effects of treatments on wild oats, littleseed canarygrass and annual sowthistle were obtained. Treatments containing the active ingredient clethodim (Select/Prism) reduced canarygrass height and reproduction, while Raptor treatments increased numbers of inflorescences. No treatment provided effective control of sowthistle although some activity was noted from the Raptor treatments when numbers of reproductive structures and height were examined. Surfactants/ adjuvants greatly increased Raptor activity. Wild oat control was noted in treatments containing clethodim and several Raptor treatments when utilizing a surfactant/adjuvant.