Photo: Garland Dahlke, Iowa State UniversityGrazing cattle on snow-covered windrows may seem a bit obscure, but windrow grazing has shown to be an effective way to lower winter feeding costs. The p
December 2, 2025• Milk production in the U.S. totaled 19.5 billion pounds in October, which was up 3.7% year-over-year, according to USDA’s Milk Production report. Production per cow average
During this gift-wrapping season, perhaps it’s apropos to discuss our use of bale-wrapping options, specifically those for round bales since plastic twine is used almost exclusively on other bale
Alfalfa’s perennial nature is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it provides high-quality forage cutting after cutting, and its establishment costs can be spread over several years of a produ
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which are indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of th
When my son was in high school, we gave him our old high-mileage minivan to drive. On one particular evening, he arranged to meet his date in a grocery store parking lot and then leave from there to g
The ability of ruminant animals to turn forage fiber into milk and meat is the cornerstone process of livestock production, and it has a direct effect on the sustainability of human food systems. The
While writing this last weekend, the wind was whipping outside my window, and I was surprised it didn’t take some of the siding off the house. To make matters worse, the 30 mph winds — and
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which are indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of the
The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) released the 2026 edition of its popular “Alfalfa Variety Ratings - Winter Survival, Fall Dormancy & Pest Resistant Ratings for Alfalfa Varietie
November 4, 2025• The Wisconsin Cover Crop Data Network (WCCDN) is looking for farmers to contribute cover crop forage samples and survey responses to expand its project data. Find more information
Virtual fencing is not a new concept, but its adoption by livestock producers is constantly growing and changing. There are essentially as many strategies for virtual fencing as there are farmers usin
As the hay cycle transitions from making to selling, be reminded that most people are honest and well intentioned, but just one nefarious hay buyer can make for a really bad day.KXII, a television sta
If you’re like me, your kitchen has a cupboard designated for leftover containers, which may or may not all have the correct lids. Those containers get some extra use this time of year to prevent
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which are indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of
In a recent Hoard’s Dairyman webinar titled “A feed and forage outlook for the year ahead,” Mike Hutjens with the University of Illinois summarized the highs and lows of corn silage and
As my wife and I prepare to move to a different house, I find myself carrying a lot of boxes. Many of the boxes are the uniform type that reams of paper are shipped in. Although all the boxes are fill
Bale grazing saves time and labor during the coldest months of the year. Moreover, putting bales out on a pasture in a grid pattern, and using temporary fence to strip graze cattle through the rows, f
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which are indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of th
The colder months ahead require farmers to winterize hay equipment, take inventory of stored forages, and draw up plans to feed livestock. As we wrap up forage production for 2025, it’s a good time
