Forage production in the High Desert region includes alfalfa, cereal grain hay, and sudan grass. The forage producing region is unique with respect to other production areas in the state because it is so close to largely populated areas with a high demand for equestrian feed. Forage producers have suffered substantial losses in revenue from increased water costs over the years. These producers rely heavily on ground water sources as imported water is unaffordable. Thus there is a need to increase forage productivity and quality to keep growers in business.


Maceration

Maceration of Alfalfa Hay to Enhance Drying Time and Forage Quality
Research was conducted in August 2002 to test the effects of maceration on forage quality and dry down time in Newberry Springs, San Bernardino County, CA.

Herbicides in Seedling Alfalfa

Herbicides in Seedling Alfalfa Trial, October 2002
A trial was conducted to test the effects of Raptor, Pursuit, 2,4-D,B, Buctril, and Prism on the control of fillerie, London rocket, and sheperds purse in seedling alfalfa. Raptor is a new herbicide that showed promising results in controlling these weeds with low alfalfa injury.

Ref. Herbicide Trial Field Day Handout, Dec. 18, 2002

Palatability of Grain Hay fed to Horses

Grain hay is an important commodity in the high desert. Much of it is fed to horses through the retail hay market. Recently there were some complaints that horses were refusing to eat some of the grain hay. It was thought that a possible reason was forage grain harvested at the milk stage was less palatable to horses. Grain forage 'Sierra' Oats was harvested at the late boot, milk, flowering, and soft dough stage of growth to test the effects of plant maturity at the time of harvest on horse palatability. The results of this study were inconclusive because the horses used were not used to eating grian hay and generally did not consume it. This study should be conducted again with horses that are accustomed to eating grain hay.

2004 Grain Hay Variety Trial

Currently grain hay in the valley is in the form of a three way mix of barley oats, and wheat. The composition varies from 70% barley, 20% oats, and 10% wheat to 50% barley, 45%oats and 5% wheat. There are many varieties to choose from that differ in yield and performance in the desert. Six varieties of cereal grains were grown and evaluated for their performance in the high desert. The varieties were Belford barley, Triticale, Sierra oats, Montezuma oats, Swan oats, and Dirkwin wheat.

Alfalfa variety trial

In 2004 an alfalfa variety trial was planted to evaluate thirty varieties in the Lancaster area. A link to the variety list is below.

- Alfalfa variety trial list (See word file attachment "Lancaster alfalfa variety trial entry list").
- Considerations in choosing an alfalfa variety