Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Mike Rankin

The author joined Hay & Forage Grower as the managing editor in April 2015. Since July of 2024, he has transitioned to senior editor. He had previously served 27 years as the Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin crops and soils agent with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service. He also worked eight years on a large dairy and grain farm in southern Illinois.
A toxic alfalfa situation
Forage Flash

March 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
It doesn’t matter what variety of alfalfa you plant. It doesn’t matter how much your seeder cost. It doesn’t matter if you nail the correct planting depth. It doesn’t matter if you poured the...
Win the spring forage-flush war
Forage Flash

March 4, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Graziers have always been challenged by the spring flush of forage, but most wouldn’t give it up unless there was an assurance of consistent growth throughout the summer, which never happens.The flu...
A chaotic week for USDA employees
Other

Feb. 25, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Efficiency — it’s a word we throw around a lot as a reason for making a change. Every time farm prices tank, the rally cry from many different sources is to “become more efficient.” I’m sure...
Watch new mama cows on spring pasture
Forage Flash

Feb. 18, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
With the front half of February in the rearview mirror, pastures will soon start greening up from south to north. Regardless of where you hang your hat, spring-calving cows on lush pastures demand clo...
Double baler unveiled this month
Forage Flash

Feb. 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
IN YET another innovation for the small square bale commercial hay producer, AGCO Corporation recently announced the release of the Hesston by Massey Ferguson SB.1436DB baler. The baler produces two r...
Plan for native grass establishment success
Forage Flash

Feb. 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
The use of native warm-season grasses such as the bluestems, indiangrass, and switchgrass in pasture systems is on the rise. Establishment of these grasses is often challenging, and failures are often...
Putting numbers behind round-bale feeders
Forage Flash

Feb. 4, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
As the Super Bowl approaches, offensive and defensive coordinators will pour over film in an effort to either score points or prevent points, respectively. Truth be told, farmers should be doing the s...
It’s time to think frost seeding
Forage Flash

Jan. 28, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
One of the great advantages of a pasture-based feeding system is that tillage is rarely or never required. That said, even the best of pastures occasionally need freshened up with an influx of legumes...
Get the most from grazed winter annuals
Forage Flash

Jan. 21, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Controlling feed costs is often the shortest and most meaningful road to beef cow profitability. This often entails an extension of the grazing season to limit supplemental feeds and their associated...
Take care of the baby
Forage Flash

Jan. 21, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Proper care and nutrition for the human infant or bovine calf is often pontificated upon as a critical step toward the optimum development of the young adult or cow. In other words, the future is only...
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