• Milk production in the United States totaled 19.9 billion pounds in May, according to USDA’s Milk Production report. This was up 1.6% year over year.
• The bump in May milk production can be attributed to higher production per cow at 2,110 pounds, up 7% year over year. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was also up, totaling 9.45 million head.
• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.4 million head on June 1, according to USDA’s Cattle on Feed report. Placements in feedlots totaled 1.89 million head, which was 8% below 2024. Marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 1.76 million head, 10% below 2024.
• Continue scouting for alfalfa weevil, even if feeding seems slow.
• Are you renovating a tall fescue stand? Do these things.
• U.S. alfalfa hay exports totaled 141,441 metric tons (MT) in April, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. That was almost 24% less than the previous month and more than a 37% decline year over year.
• Exports to China, our nation’s largest market for alfalfa hay, were down 39% month over month at 50,397 MT. Japan was the second largest alfalfa hay market in April, totaling 29,635 MT. Saudi Arabia and South Korea followed with 23,021 MT and 21,537 MT, respectively.
• All other U.S. hay exports totaled 81,673 MT in April, trailing last year’s numbers by 16%. There was a large spread in the top three export markets for other hay with Japan at 45,118 MT, South Korea at 21,602 MT, and Taiwan at 7,961 MT.
• Ohio State University Extension is offering a new forage testing program this summer. Learn how to submit samples here.
• Here are your options for utilizing high-nitrate forages.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison is hosting its first ever forage and cover crops field day on July 15. Click here for more information.
• The University of Tennessee recently launched a state-wide master forage program.
• Here’s a comprehensive guide to provide your herd with the most important nutrient — water.
• Check for and repair these damages after severe weather.
• Consider these tips for June grazing.
June 3, 2025
• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.4 million head on May 1, according to USDA’s Cattle of Feed report.
• Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.61 million head, and marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.83 million head, both of which were 3% behind last year’s numbers.
• The University of Florida is hosting a limpograss planting material distribution day on July 16. Click here for more information.
• Identify, assess, and control these pasture weeds.
• These silo gases behave differently — here’s what to avoid.