Weather always seems to play the protagonist in forage production systems, regardless of the time of year. During fall, a situation that seems to be occurring with rising frequency is dry weather duri
The 40th World Forage Analysis Superbowl brought in 293 forage samples from 18 states. Winning entries in each of the eight contest categories were on display last week at World Dairy Expo
The calendar has flipped to October, and I’m sure a lot of farmers have already mothballed their hay equipment. I also know there are plenty of farmers who are at least thinking about an extra cutti
Hay test results are like the nutrition facts labels of the forage world. They provide information about fiber and protein content, available energy, and overall forage quality
Choppers and box trucks aside, there are many moving parts to a successful corn silage harvest. Monitoring plant moisture to hit target dry matter and starch levels is key to maximizing feeding value
The call to action to prevent hay barn fires is usually made during first cutting, but the risk of hay fires exists throughout the production season. This is especially true as it may be harder for ha
Although the first day of fall is fast approaching, many regions of the United States are still experiencing the aftermath from an exceptionally dry start to the summer. Even as milder temperatures br
The temperature was approaching zero, and the January wind howled from the west across the bare Iowa cropland. There I was, facing west, with camera in hand and ready for the cows to be let out to get
The forage research and plant breeding facility in West Salem, Wis., will be part of the purchase agreement between Corteva and DLF.As of September 1, DLF officially acquired the Corteva Agriscience a
Interseeding alfalfa into corn for silage has been shown to improve first-year alfalfa yields, reduce soil erosion, and enhance a forage system’s overall profitability compared to seeding alfalfa
In his book, “Fundamentals of Weed Science,” author Robert Zimdahl relates a story about British General John B. Burgoyne. The British had planned to divide the states along the Hudson River.
Corn silage harvest season is upon us, and with that comes the opportunity to capitalize on the labor, management, and economic investment of prior months. Of course, that also means there is equal op
Sometimes grazing cattle need help reaching their nutrient needs with supplemental feed. And when dry weather puts a damper on forage growth, supplementation must become a bigger priority
Making hay in the Upper Midwest can be a game of chance. Receiving rain at any point during the drying period can negatively affect forage quality, and this excess moisture can raise the risk of
Despite a few species-specific differences, horse owners can follow many of the same grazing practices cattle producers adhere to during drought. Doing so will limit damage to perennial forage stands
Fertilizer can be a critical piece in the forage production puzzle whether it is applied during stand establishment, after a hay harvest, or as a maintenance application. Although fertilizer costs had
Extension specialists from North Dakota State University (NDSU) encourage farmers who plan to bale graze during late fall and winter to begin placing bales where they will be needed. Moving bales from
It seems drought has dominated the agricultural news feed for several years. Extended dry weather can dramatically reduce hay yields, but wet weather or simply baling hay that is too high in moisture
As we enter the second half of summer, relief may be on the way for cool-season forages as temperatures start to favor plant growth again in some regions. Even with cooler weather in the extended fore
