October 31, 2023

• Heather Dann was elected as the next president of the Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy, N.Y. Dann succeeds Rick Grant who has led the organization since 2003, and she will step into the role after the new year.

• Grazing livestock now can affect forage growth next spring.

• Do you have smooth bromegrass pastures? Fertilize them this fall.

• These factors may impact how much hay you need to purchase.

• Make sure cattle have enough water this winter.

October 24, 2023

• Milk production in the U.S. dropped slightly to 18.2 billion pounds in September, according to the USDA’s Milk Production report. This was 3.4% less than milk production in August and is the third consecutive month of decline.

• The national dairy herd shrank by about 6,000 cows and is roughly 36,000 head smaller than it was in September 2022. Milk production per cow was also down from last month at 1,943 pounds per cow.

• Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market in feedlots (capacity of 1,000 or more head) totaled 11.6 million head as of October 1. Inventory is up 1% year-over-year and is the second-highest October 1 inventory since 1996. Placements in feedlots during September totaled 2.21 million head, and marketings of fed cattle were 1.66 million head.

• The University of Missouri and the Missouri Department of Agriculture launched new hay market listing websites.

• It’s last call for tall fescue establishment.

October 17, 2023

• The USDA’s October Crop Production report showed U.S. alfalfa production in August was up almost 10% from last year at 52.7 million tons. Projections for acres harvested and yield per acre were both 5% higher than August 2022, but final numbers won’t be available until January.

• All hay production other than alfalfa was pegged at 70.1 million tons, which is 8% more than last year. Year-over-year estimates for acres harvested and yield per acre were both higher as well.

• Researchers at the University of Idaho are growing nondormant alfalfa as an annual crop.

• A University of Nebraska-Lincoln survey shows a rising interest in virtual fencing among livestock producers.

• Consider bale grazing cattle this winter.

October 10, 2023

• Alfalfa hay exports to all countries totaled 200,453 metric tons (MT) during August, according to the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. This is up 17% from July, but year-over-year exports are down 42%.

• China reclaimed the top spot over Saudi Arabia for alfalfa hay exports in August. The country imported 65,796 MT of U.S. product during the month, which is a 48% jump from July. Saudi Arabia imported 61,840 MT of alfalfa hay.

• All hay exports in August, including hay other than alfalfa, were up 11% from July at 277,213 MT.

• Producers can receive assistance from these forage programs.

• Realize better forage utilization by strip grazing annual species.

October 3, 2023

• Dairy Forage Seminars start Wednesday at World Dairy Expo. Click here for the presentation schedule.

• The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded funding leveraged by the Alfalfa Checkoff to researchers who are developing and testing alfalfa varieties tolerant to water stress.

• See how ash affects hay quality and how to keep levels low.

• These cool-season annuals can be grazed or harvested for hay.

• Establishing silvopasture begins with soil health basics.