Alfalfa stands with good vigor and productivity last year are recovering beautifully, and are well on their way to producing an excellent first harvest. In contrast, the alfalfa stands that were weaker and less productive last year showed a much slower recovery. It is advisable to delay first harvest of alfalfa this spring, allowing the crop to develop into the flowering stage to build energy reserves for strong regrowth. Alfalfa recovery from the late frost has become very apparent this...

Grass tetany tends to occur most often in the early to mid-spring following a cool period (less than 60 degrees F), when grasses are lush and growing rapidly but can also occur in the fall with new growth of both small cereal grains (such as wheat, oats, rye) and cool-season grasses. SDSU Extension range livestock production specialist Eric Mousel said the combination of high potassium and low magnesium and calcium in lush, rapidly growing forages is thought to be the primary cause of...

Can any type of agricultural product become certified organic? Yes, any agricultural product that meets third-party or state-certification requirements may be considered organic. Pollution and climate change are now drawing worldwide attention, and one result of increasing awareness is a new interest in organic farming techniques and buying from local producers. Nonfood organic products (personal care products, nutritional supplements, household cleaners, flowers, pet food and clothing,...

To respond to mounting criticism without a budget increase, the FDA has tried a band-aid approach: On May 1, the agency created a new food-safety oversight position, naming its chief medical officer, David Acheson, the agency's first assistant commissioner for food protection. To respond to mounting criticism without a budget increase, the FDA has tried a band-aid approach: On May 1, the agency created a new food-safety oversight position, naming its chief medical officer, David Acheson,...

Overall, the FDA is responsible for regulating about 80 percent of the nation's food supply; the Agriculture Department inspects meat, poultry and eggs, the other 20 percent. Pet food made headlines, but food for humans is tainted, too, and very little gets inspected. But it was contaminated wheat gluten that put the spotlight on a real and frightening fact: China's chronic food safety woes are now an international concern. Fish fillets, bird products, animal feed products and dried fruits...