by Ben Nuelle
It?s the second day of the Hay and Forage Expo in Boone. Randy Welch is an alfalfa and hay agronomist with Winfield. Believe it or not he says every country in Iowa grows alfalfa.
?I think that you would be surprised by how much alfalfa and hay is grown in Iowa. You look at the amount of alfalfa actually raised in Iowa it is substantial. There is alfalfa amongst those corn fields.?
Welch says management wise there are always things we could be doing better.
?I think insect management this year?We had some alfalfa weevul that caused some problems in some areas. The potato leaf hoppers are starting right now so agronomists are checking alfalfa fields for growers to make sure they spray for insects.?
Welch says one of the new additions to alfalfa management is controlling diseases in alfalfa.
He says products to help control diseases and it has a tremendous effect on quality.
The Hay and Forage Expo takes place from nine until four this afternoon out at the Farm Progress Fairgrounds in Boone.
