Beatriz Bizzuti, UMN Assistant Professor and Forage Extension Agronomist; Marta Kohmann, UW Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist; Brian Luck, UW Associate Professor and Extension Specialist This article originally appeared in the Midwest Forage Association’s Forage Focus newsletter, August 2025 edition. During harvest season, alfalfa fields experience frequent traffic from multiple pieces of equipment. Typically, four types of machinery (mowers, mergers, choppers, and trucks) enter the field, each contributing to soil disturbance and plant stress. Repeated passes of equipment across fields can significantly impact forage production, reducing both productivity and long-term stand health. Gaining a better understanding of how and why traffic affects alfalfa performance can lead to more effective management practices and improved productivity and persistence over time. More harvesting, more traffic Most alfalfa fields in the Midwest are harvested three to five times annually, dep...
By Gary Sands, University of Minnesota Extension For a quarter-century, the Tri-State Drainage Research Forum has served as an essential venue for connecting agricultural producers, drainage contractors, agency personnel, consultants, and researchers across Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota. This year marks a major milestone as we host the 25th Annual Tri-State Drainage Research Forum on October 1, 2026. The event is brought to you by South Dakota State University, Iowa State University, and the University of Minnesota, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. 25 Years of Drainage Innovation Agricultural drainage has evolved from basic field water removal to sophisticated, precision water management designed to optimize crop yields while safeguarding soil health and downstream water quality. Gary Sands (University of Minnesota) will kick off the forum with a presentation reflecting on 25 years of research updates, policy shifts, and technology adoption that have sha...