Arizona Forage Producers Association Weblog

Sunday, June 29, 2003

Enough potassium and phosphorus should be returned to the soil each year to replace fertility removed with hay harvest except on very high-test soils. Each ton of hay removes about 50 pounds of potash and 15 pounds of phosphorous.
7:10:40 PM    comment []

"SAN DIEGO - The Bush administration is expected to announce this week the results of a closely watched review examining whether farmers in California's Imperial Valley are wasting Colorado River water and should receive less from the drought-stricken waterway.

Imperial County, the state's poorest, pours about 1 trillion gallons of Colorado River water - three-quarters of the state's share of the river - across sun-baked fields to produce $1 billion worth of food each year. The major crop is alfalfa, a thirsty, low-value crop used to feed livestock. "
7:06:13 PM    comment []

"Forages return more money directly to Arizona producers than any other crop, including cotton and produce. The value of all hay alone produced in Arizona was $183 million in 2001(according to USDA figures), about twice value as much as cotton, while farmers themselves realize only a minor portion of the value of the produce crop. The value of our silage crops adds to the Arizona forage total value. And, forage production is increasing! I urge every Arizona forage producer to give this new organization your support with both membership and participation. Go get a neighbor to join up, too. Let's take charge of our futures by defining our products, supporting common objectives and sharing information." -- Lee Banning President

Copyright 2003 Arizona Forage Producers Association