February 24, 2026
• According to USDA’s Milk Production report, annual milk production in 2025 totaled 232 billion pounds, which was up 2.6% from the previous year and up 9% compared to 2016. Milk production per cow averaged 24,390 pounds, and the average number of milk cows on U.S. farms during 2025 was 9.5 million head.
• So far this year, January milk production totaled 19.2 billion pounds, up 3.2% from last year. Despite smaller milk checks, dairy farmers continue to add cows to their herds: The national milk cow herd reached a 32-year high of 9.58 million head in January.
• Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.5 million head on Feb. 1, according to USDA’s Cattle on Feed report.
• Placements in feedlots during January totaled 1.4 million head, which was 5% below the previous year, and marketings of fed cattle during January totaled 1.63 million head, which was down 13% year-over-year.
• Follow these steps to manage forage after extreme cold.
February 17, 2026
• Wine Glass Ranch in Imperial, Neb., was named the winner of the 2025 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s annual convention earlier this month. Find more information about the award and its winners here.
• The University of Kentucky will host the 2026 Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference on Feb. 24 and the Cropland to Forage Conversion Workshop on March 5. Find more information about both events here.
• Recent temperature swings create an ideal opportunity for frost seeding clovers.
• Watch this short clip for a crash course on forage test results and hay nutrient values.
• This study shows seeding cover crops before harvesting perennial peanut can extend the grazing season in Southern states.
February 10, 2026
• Alfalfa hay exports to all trade partners totaled 151,290 metric tons (MT) in November, according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. That was down about 6% from the previous month and more than 10% less year-over-year.
• China imported roughly 13% more U.S. alfalfa hay month-over-month in November with 60,766 MT. Other large markets for U.S. alfalfa included Japan (29,903 MT) and Saudi Arabia (28,560 MT).
• All other hay (mostly grass) exports totaled 83,729 MT in November. Japan imported the most U.S. grass hay with 37,008 MT, followed by South Korea with 30,782 and Taiwan with 9,605 MT.
• The rebuilding of the U.S. beef herd will depend on heifer retention. Keep heifers that fit your forage.
• Follow these tips for February forage management.
February 3, 2026
• The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) received a record number of research proposals eligible for funding from the U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Initiative, also known as the Alfalfa Checkoff. Find a list of the selected projects here.
• The nomination deadline for the World Dairy Expo 2026 Recognition Awards is Feb. 15. Click here for more information about the awards and nomination process.
• Here are three ways beef producers can be more profitable making hay.
• It’s February, which means it’s frost-seeding season.
• A dry fall and cold winter are a bad combo for Southeastern forages, including in South Carolina.