2022 Southwest Hay & Forage Conference
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orage growers in the Southwest will have access to important industry information at the 2022 Southwest Hay & Forage Conference, which returns after a year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions. The conference will take place Jan. 27-28 at the Ruidoso Convention Center, 111 Sierra Blanca Dr. in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The event is hosted by New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and the New Mexico Hay Association. Mark Marsalis, NMSU Extension forage specialist, said the conference addresses common issues that growers face daily, including baling challenges, high input
costs, water management and pest control. Participants will also have the opportunity to speak directly to consultants, industry representatives, researchers and specialists. The 2022 conference will feature three presentations on the challenges of baling moisture. Paul Brown of the University of Arizona will share the outcomes of years of research on hay windrow humidity and harvest management for dry western conditions. Wayne Coblentz, a retired research dairy scientist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, will discuss utilizing baleage as an alternative to dry hay during periods of high rainfall. And Mackay Ashdown of Staheli West will showcase a preview of the new small bale steamer, a highly sought-after alternative to the company’s large steamers for small bale producers as a method for leaf retention and expanded baling windows. Additional presentations will address high fertilizer prices, Marsalis said. “Now more than ever, growers need to be thinking about maximizing the benefit of every unit of fertilizer applied and improving efficiency on their farms,” Marsalis said.
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JANUARY 2022
Fertilizer-related presentations will include: ЇЇ
Best practices for accurate fertilizer application by Blaine Ginther of Surefire Ag Systems.
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Navigating the waters of high fertilizer prices by Derek Davidson of SCALE Ag Services.
Pest control is also an important topic among growers, and will be addressed during several presentations at the 2022 conference. “Each year, various pests in the form of insects, weeds and vertebrate pests cost New Mexico hay growers millions of dollars,” Marsalis said. “It is important that growers understand the pests they are dealing with, and the management options available to them.” Pest-related continuing education unit-qualifying presentations will include: ЇЇ Surfactants, adjuvants and water quality effects by NMSU Extension Weed Specialist Leslie Beck. ЇЇ
Weed control in alfalfa by Thomas Getts of the University of California
