June 25, 2024
• Milk production in the U.S. totaled 19.7 billion pounds in May, according to USDA’s Milk Production report. This was down roughly 0.9% compared to May 2023.
• The nation’s dairy herd was approximately 9.35 million head in May. Although this was 68,000 head smaller than May 2023, cow numbers were about 5,000 head higher last month than in April. Production per cow remained steady year-over-year at 2,105 pounds.
• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with the capacity of 1,000 head or more totaled 11.6 million head on June 1, which was just slightly ahead of June 2023. The USDA’s Cattle on Feed report pegged placements in feedlots during May at 2.05 million head. Marketings of fed cattle totaled 1.96 million head.
• Here’s what happens to rained on hay.
• Defend your alfalfa fields against potato leafhoppers.
June 18, 2024
• The Grasslands Partnership is seeking farms to participate in a five-year study to identify pasture practices that improve productivity, enhance profitability, and capitalize on conservation benefits. Eligible states include Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, and Indiana. Find more information about the project here.
• Alfalfa hay exports totaled 224,875 million metric tons (MT) in April, which was up nearly 42% year-over-year, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. China led the charge for alfalfa hay exports at 91,485 MT, followed by Saudi Arabia and Japan with 46,269 MT and 34,655 MT, respectively.
• All hay exports for April totaled 322,329 MT. Japan was by far the strongest export market at 84,538 MT, although the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen remains very high. Canada was also a notable player with 11,800 MT, a nearly six-fold uptick in all hay imports year-over-year.
• Here are some tips for renovating tall fescue fields to a novel variety.
• La Niña prompts cattle producers to address their heat stress strategies.
June 11, 2024
• The U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new dairy research facility in Prairie Du Sac, Wis., on June 10. Upon its scheduled completion in 2027, the facility will include robotic milking systems, greenhouse gas emission measuring chambers, an advanced animal nutrition unit, and innovative laboratories for agronomy and dairy science.
• Check in on alfalfa during first cutting.
• Consider planting an annual forage in prevented planting fields.
• Listen to this podcast about the nuts and bolts of grazing dairy heifers in the Midwest.
• Most average retail fertilizer prices trended lower at the end of May.
June 4, 2024
• Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market in feedlots with the capacity of at least 1,000 animals totaled 11.6 million head on May 1. This was 1% lower than a year ago. Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.66 million head, which was 6% below April 2023; however, marketings of fed cattle were up 10% year-over-year at 1.87 million head.
• Here’s how flooding impacts alfalfa.
• Use this table to learn the properties and symptoms of poisonous pasture plants.
• Crabgrass is a summer annual that could turn into a long-term commitment.
• Brush up on the basics of lime application.