News
Good alfalfa crop in Upper Midwest despite drought
It’s been a resilient year for alfalfa grown in the Upper Midwest.
Jon Dockter with the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance tells Brownfield the growing season was hot and dry.
“Despite the dry conditions and the drought that many people suffered, I was really surprised by how good the alfalfa crop was this year. And I think many times in drought situations your value and yield of your crop depends a lot on timely rains, and I think that’s what we saw this year as well.”
He tells Brownfield nutritionists are impressed by the quality of this year’s crop despite this year’s drought.
“And I think what that points to is newer and improved varieties, water-holding capacity of alfalfa fields that feeds that crop even in spite of a drought, better fertility management, better management practices overall. And that gives alfalfa some better drought tolerance.”
Dockter says most growers were able to make four cuttings and forage supplies seem to be in good shape.
It is truly impressive to hear about the resilience of alfalfa crops in the upper Midwest, especially in the face of challenging drought conditions. The agricultural community’s ability to adapt and thrive is remarkable. In such situations, innovative solutions like efficient irrigation systems, where peristaltic pump plays a crucial role, can make a significant difference in ensuring a steady supply of water to support these crops. The dedication and hard work of farmers combined with smart technology, such as peristaltic pumps, are essential for sustaining our agricultural heritage and food security.