September 24, 2024
• August milk production in the United States was down 0.1% from last year at 18.8 billion pounds, according to USDA’s Milk Production report. August marks the 14th consecutive month that milk production was below prior-year volumes.
• The national dairy herd totaled 9.33 million head in August, which did not waver from July numbers as producers likely slowed culling rates to offset the heifer shortage. Although this was nearly 40,000 fewer head than August 2023, milk production per cow averaged 2,018 pounds, which was 8 pounds greater than the previous year.
• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity for 1,000 or more head totaled 11.2 million head on September 1. That was up 1% year-over-year, according to USDA’s Cattle on Feed report.
• Placements in feedlots during August rang in at 1.98 million head, and marketings of fed cattle totaled 1.82 million head.
September 17, 2024
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USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded almost $4 million to four research projects through the Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Research Program (ASAFS). Since its inception, ASAFS has generated almost $30 million to
67 research projects.
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Nominations are open for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award.
Click here for more information.
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Alfalfa hay exports for July totaled 165,461 metric tons (MT), according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. This was up roughly 7% from June and was the first positive move month-over-month improvement since March when export numbers began a steady decline.
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Alfalfa hay exports to China also rebounded to 81,483 MT in July after three consecutive months of diminishing volumes. The Asian country imported almost 50% more U.S. alfalfa hay in July than it did in June.
• All U.S. hay exports totaled 244,723 MT in July. Although this was about 2% lower year-over-year, it was up approximately 5% from the June report.
September 10, 2024
• The Siouxland Ag Lenders Seminar will be held on October 30 in Sioux Center, Iowa. Lenders who serve agricultural clients are encouraged to attend to gain insight on a range of topics, including farm succession planning, portfolio management, and grain, livestock, and dairy markets. Register here.
• As the fall harvest season rolls around, take time to prioritize farm safety.
• Switchgrass has potential as a low-input hay crop option.
• Consider these points before using poultry litter to fertilize pastures.
• Here’s how to price forage based on cost per unit of dry matter.
September 3, 2024
• La Niña didn’t show up this summer, but she may be on her way.
• Fall is an excellent time to control biennial and perennial weeds. Here’s how.
• Dairy cows can suffer from a diet with insufficient forage fiber.
• There are two main strategies for a final alfalfa cutting.
• A ton of standing corn silage can be valued 10x the price of corn per grain bushel.
