Crop Production Lab 10-11 Silage/Forage/Other Crops

Why/What soil conditions does Alfalfa need to germinate?

Shallow planting, good seed to soil contact, adequate moisture

If your goal was maximum tonnage, when would you harvest your alfalfa?

Late Flower

If your goal was high quality, when would you harvest your alfalfa?

Early bud

When would you harvest the highest tonnage silage?

1/3-1/2 milk line (milk stage to early dent)

why is it important to pack and seal silage properly

to maximize anaerobic fermentation, of sugars into lactic acid

what pH is best for silage?

4

what soil nutrient do forages need in large quantities

potassium

why is it hard to reseed alfalfa into existing stands?

Alfalfa demonstrates autotoxicity, which means it suppresses the growth of new seedlings. 

why is drought stress a concern in corn silage

nitrate accumulation in the corn stalks

what makes a BAD silage sample

Too wet, too dry, bad odor, not silage

Which if these crops are pulses: lentil, flax, chickpea, soybean

lentil, chickpea

lentil seeds

flax seeds

(can also be golden color)

chickpea seeds

soybean seeds

lentil plant

flax plant

chickpea plant

sunflower plant

What type of sunflower is best for oil production?

NuSun

safflower plant

field peas plant

canola plant

what oil/fiber is made from flax?

linseed oil and linen

what are desirable qualities for cooking oils?

healthier type of fat, high smoke temp, long shelf life, does not require hydrenation

what type of monounsaturated fat is desired for cooking oils

oil with oleic acid