There is a growing interest among farmers in western Washington and elsewhere to raise forage and fodder crops for local small-scale livestock production. Increased costs of feed and the desire to enhance on-farm livestock feed production have created a need for alternative fodder and forage crops. 

Come learn from Maynard Mallonee, an organic dairy producer in Curtis, Washington how forage selection- including the introduction of alternative forages such as turnips and brassicas, different tillage methods, irrigation, grazing management, and utilizing soil testing to determine the proper type and amount of soil amendments can increase your forage production and extending your grazing season on limited acreage. 

Maynard Mallonee is a graduate of WSU and was a member of the Washington State University Cooperative Dairy Students (CUDS). He has a passion for trying new technologies and management techniques. His herd is milked with robots and cows have state of the art animal housing for cow comfort and health. Each year he selects a new forage management practices to evaluate. His overall goal is to produce the most amount of high-quality forage at his dairy and minimize purchase of forages off farm. 

We will also be joined by Joe Harrison, WSU Extension's Dairy and Nutrient Management Specialist. Joe Harrison did field trials on alternative forages, such a broccoli and beets, to evaluate the production potential, nutritional value, and agroeconomic potential for producing these crops as feedstock.