We’ve now turned the calendar to a new year, and this is a good time to take stock of stored forage inventories, knowing that any forage additions at this point can only be accomplished by withdrawa
It’s been another year of farm and ranch struggles and successes. If you weren’t always locked in on eHay Weekly every Tuesday morning, here’s a list of the 10 most popular articles that
Swath grazing can save livestock producers time, labor, and money. This winter feeding strategy involves cutting forage in late fall and raking it into windrows for cattle to graze over winter –
Since the Clean Air Act of 1970 was enacted, precipitation that is laden with sulfur, dubbed acid rain, has all but disappeared. That’s a good thing, but this change has some agronomic ramifications
Photo: Wayne Coblentz, USDA-ARSIn a recent social media post, a beef producer was bragging about the fact that his cows were loving some hay that was put up too wet. “It got hotter than it should
At this point in the year, the temperature has dropped, forage production has slowed, and the grazing window is closing. While many producers will rely on large round bales to feed their herd, the str
Winter annual cereal crops provide beneficial soil cover through the late fall, winter, and spring, but they also are an excellent forage source that can be incorporated into dairy rations
Calving season can be a stressful time, especially considering the unpredictability of when cows will calve. Keeping an eye on your herd is doable in the daylight, but management becomes more challeng
During each step of making, storing, and feeding hay, waste can add up quickly and become costly. With the current record-high prices seen in some regions, storage and feeding losses have never been m
Patience is a virtue for many things in life, and it’s certainly a desirable trait when grazing small grain forages. “Research indicates that forage intake and animal performance is limited
When determining protein supplements to feed cattle this winter, alfalfa may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, alfalfa can be a valuable and cost-effective option. “High
You can’t starve a profit into a cow. The same can be said for a hayfield, according to Ohio State University Extension Educators Stan Smith and Chris Penrose.As fertilizer prices reach historic
Photo: Paige SmartSustainable intensification is a term used to describe farming practices that maximize yields without harming the environment and without the need to convert additional acres into cr
Imagine sitting in a roller coaster car chugging toward the top. When the car finally reaches its peak, it suddenly rushes downhill. The rest of the ride is full of twists and turns, including an upsi
In Southern beef systems, the need for forage often comes in the fall. This is when warm-season summer pastures have played out but before fall-planted winter-annuals are ready to graze.“In some
Outdoor winter feeding areas are likely to take a beating. Heavy hoof traffic and manure accumulation can cause soil compaction, erosion, and excess nutrient buildup. Allotting unfit acres for winter
It’s not that testing forages shouldn’t always be a member of the “must do” category; it just pushes higher up the list as the upcoming winter approaches.Supplemental feeding is
Despite seasonably warm temperatures in many parts of the Midwest, winter jackets, hats, and gloves will soon be retrieved from coat closets to combat the cold that is starting to creep in
