June 27, 2023

• Milk production in May was up 0.6% from a year ago at 19.9 billion pounds, according to the USDA’s Milk Production report. The number of milk cows on U.S. farms is also up 13,000 head from last May, putting the nation’s dairy herd at approximately 9.43 million cows.

• The top five states in milk production are California, Wisconsin, Idaho, Texas, and New York. Of these states, Idaho showed the most year-over-year improvement in milk production with a boost of 3.1%.

• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. was 11.6 million head as of June 1, which was down 3% from June 1, 2022.

• Follow these steps to establish tall fescue this fall.

• There are several factors that can cause bermudagrass decline.

June 20, 2023

• Pinkeye can cause calf prices to plummet.

• Start scouting potato leafhoppers and estimate treatment thresholds.

• There are several tools available to mitigate drought damage in pastures.

• Use these quick tips to make a plan for purchasing hay.

• Learn about integrated pest management for woody encroachment in grasslands.

June 13, 2023

• Alfalfa hay exports to all trade partners during April totaled 147,809 metric tons (MT), according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. That total was down 16% from the previous month and was 36% below one year ago. Through the first four months of the year, total alfalfa hay exports were down 31.2% from 2022.

• Year-over-year alfalfa hay exports to China through April were down nearly 39%. In April, China only imported 47,322 MT of U.S. alfalfa hay. That was its lowest monthly total since February 2019. For the second month in a row, Saudi Arabia imported more U.S. alfalfa hay than Japan.

• Estimate hay, silage, and pasture inventories to better manage forage supplies.

• Some pasture weeds could be poisonous to livestock.

• Consider the pros and cons of clipping pastures this summer.

June 6, 2023

• Pasture grasshopper populations are on the rise in western Nebraska.

• Seed warm-season annuals now to boost forage supplies.

• Dry conditions across the Midwest favor hay production in Ohio.

• Solar grazing combines sheep farming and green energy production.

• Follow these tips to control alfalfa weevil and leafy spurge.