April 25, 2023

• Year-over-year milk production in the U.S. rose by 0.5% during March. Both milk per cow and the number of cows were higher compared to March 2022. The largest production gain came from South Dakota, which was up 7% from a year ago.

• Take a close look at tall fescue seed tags and bags before buying.

• Here are some tips for controlling five tough hayfield weeds.

• There’s alfalfa weevil action in Kansas and Iowa.

• Consider these early season pasture management recommendations.

April 18, 2023

• Florida researchers are evaluating the use of soybean silage as a protein supplement.

• More harvest tips for small grains from Penn State.

• Here are some reasons why your bermudagrass may be declining.

• The Noble Research Institute offers suggestions on what spring cover crops to plant.

• Iowa State University offers these alfalfa establishment tips.

April 11, 2023

• Exports of alfalfa hay continued their slow pace during February. The U.S. exported 162,968 metric tons (MT) during the month to all trade partners, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. That total was down 30% from February 2022. Over the first two months of the year, total alfalfa hay exports were down 29%.

• China imported 85,072 MT of U.S. alfalfa during February, which was down 31% from a year ago but slightly higher than its January total. Dairy prices are depressed in China and its farmers are feeding lower-priced alternatives than expensive U.S. alfalfa.

• Saudi Arabia continues to ramp up its purchases of U.S. alfalfa hay. Over the first two months of the year, the country imported 36,953 MT, which was up 163% from 2022.

• Here’s some renovation tips for drought-damaged pastures.

• Pennsylvania is back in the custom rates survey game.

April 4, 2023

• The first USDA Prospective Plantings report of the year pegged all harvested hay acres at 50.65 million for 2023. This was about 1 million acres more than last year’s final total. Of course, there’s still plenty of time for this number to change in either direction.

• In the same report, corn planted for all purposes is estimated at 92 million acres, which was up 4% from last year. Compared with last year, planted acreage is expected to be higher or unchanged in 40 of the 48 estimating states.

• Nebraska research shows that alfalfa in rotation reduces nitrate leaching and boosts organic carbon sequestration.

• Here’s some tips on spring weed control for pastures and hayfields.

• As hayfields green up, it will pay to do an early season assessment by walking fields.