For any operation that always seems to have too many irons in the fire, buying hay rather than making it might just sound appealing. Bryon Kirwan, Illinois Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state economist, asked the question, “Can you buy hay cheaper than making it?” in a presentation given at the Illinois Forage Expo earlier this month.Kirwan sees many producers baling as a way to control the quality of their feed source and to effectively use acreage...

Although harvest is typically an end point, some producers may choose to head right back to the field with the grain drill in an effort to better meet fall and winter livestock forage needs. When plan...

With many auction purchases, there is an assumed risk that you might not entirely know what you’re getting. This certainly is true for buying hay. Sure, you can walk around the truck or wagon and ma...

Unfortunately, most of the country is not blessed with a climate that allows one specific grass to thrive year-round. Adaptive as always, producers are able to get around this by growing both warm- an...

Many farmers and ranchers know a thistle when they see one, but identifying the exact species is also an important step toward successful control. While the perennial Canada thistle will overtake a pa...

Although many regions have seen their fair share of rain and pasture growth this season, it is never too early to start planning ahead to combat the summer slump.If your operation is in the northern o...

Most producers think in terms of their bottom line. While many shy away at the thought of wasteful application rates, the true waste involved for some practices is sometimes overlooked. Such is often...

Spring showers are great until they overstay their welcome. With excessive flooding in some areas and daily showers in others, some producers find themselves struggling to get their first cut in...

With summer rapidly approaching, it is important to give adequate thought to proper postbaling storage techniques. Hay storage losses can destroy up to 40 percent of the finished product...

It’s no secret that late summer droughts bring challenges for maintaining pasture productivity and quality. There is hope, however, in the form of warm-season grasses that can more easily withstand...