Sauk Centre Hay Auction Summary Nov. 20, 2014

by Dan Martens, Extension Educator, Stearns-Benton-Morrison Counties
Contact: marte011@umn.edu  or by phone, if a local call to Foley 968-5077 or 1-800-964-4929

In this post:

• November 20 Hay auction & market reports
• Land Rent Workshops 
• Winter Forage Meeting Update
• Farm Bill Dairy and Crop Information Update

Hay auction & market reports

November 20 Hay Auction Results – Individual lots sold are sorted and averaged by type and quality. With a limited number of loads for some groups, consider averages carefully.

History of Selected Lots 2014-2015.pdf – Includes averages and ranges for selected groups through the year, listed first along with previous 4 years on the first page and again on the last page. The season long average is calculated for the auctions from October through May.

Graph 2001 to 2015 SC Hay Auction A line graph averaging sales from 2001-2007 and for each year from 2008 to 2015. Medium Square Alfalfa groups from 101 to 200 RFV. The graph is for October through May Auctions. Points on the graph may not mean as much where there was 1 or 2 loads on a sale or wide ranges in quality.

Corn silage trial results available

By Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist

Results from the 2014 University of Minnesota corn silage performance trials are now available.
These trials were conducted across southeastern, central, and west-central Minnesota to provide unbiased and replicated information on the performance of numerous silage hybrids for growers and their advisors.


For information on 2014 corn grain hybrid trials, see the recent Crop News article, Advance corn hybrid selection with new trial results.

Advance Corn Hybrid Selection with New Trial Results

By Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist

Results from the 2014 University of Minnesota corn grain performance trials are available at: http://www.maes.umn.edu/publications/field-crop-trials/corn.  These trials were conducted at multiple locations to provide unbiased and replicated information on the performance of numerous hybrids.

When selecting hybrids, it is best to choose hybrids that perform well over multiple locations in a region. Consistent performance over multiple locations with different soil and weather conditions is critical because we cannot predict next year's growing conditions. A hybrid that performs well over multiple growing conditions in one year has a high potential for performing well in the same region next year.

To reduce risk, growers and their advisers are encouraged to select hybrids based on trial results from multiple sources, including universities, grower associations, seed companies, and on-farm strip trials. Results from replicated trials that include multiple entries from different companies are of particular importance.

NDSU offers advice on grain drying and storage after drastic outdoor cooling

by Kenneth Hellevang, Ph.D., PE, Extension Engineer, North Dakota State University

The drastic outdoor cooling that has occurred may create some grain storage and drying problems. Dr. Ken Hellevang, Extension Engineer at North Dakota State University, answers several questions that he received in the paragraphs below. The questions are italicized and his answers immediately follow.