Looking into your crystal ball to predict future forage grassland productivity is difficult at best. Yet, such a prediction is needed to adequately stock pastures and know when the right time is to mo
Although using a companion crop to establish alfalfa is not as widespread as it used to be, it’s still a common practice in many regions of the U.S. Generally, a small grain such as oats is used
Every year across the country, hay fires cost farmers thousands of dollars in damages to buildings, hay, and equipment. With the right precautions, the risk of loss can be reduced. There are seve
During these days when bad news seems to strike like a tsunami — day after day, wave after wave — there is a bit of positive economic news for crop producers. It comes in the form of lower
As the weather gets warmer and pasture grasses begin to get green, horse owners become eager to start grazing. However, starting too soon can be damaging to the health of your horses and your pastures
Uncovered hay that is stored outside will lose both dry matter and nutrients. How much do these losses amount to? Research conducted by the University of Georgia (UGA) shows that up to 60 pe
The current COVID-19 situation has all but put a halt to every planned in-person group activity, including educational events. As such, innovative distance learning techniques have been used as
As spring approaches with warmer temperatures and grass growth, the risk for grass tetany in cattle accelerates. Grass tetany is a metabolic disorder that occurs when blood magnesium concentrations ar
Hay harvesting is around the corner and with that comes the question of what is the most cost effective and efficient storage option. Baleage involves additional costs, but producers across the countr
Controlling pasture growth is an ongoing struggle in many pasture systems. Yet, it is often a major determinant of livestock performance. The balancing act of offering enough forage quantity to p
Net wrap is widely used as a hay binding material, but it does come with its disadvantages. Unwrapping a bale is time consuming and sometimes frustrating. Labor is a valuable resource so producers are
Botulism is a deadly disease with a direct relationship to certain types of compromised forage fermentation. Historically, it has not been a common occurrence, but with a higher volume of baleage bein
There are numerous rules people follow to make grazing decisions. Keith Harmoney, an extension range scientist with Kansas State University, recently expanded on a few of these rules in the March issu
Even with all of the economic and environmental advantages of producing alfalfa, sometimes winter injury or death can prematurely terminate hardy perennial alfalfa stands. About this time every year
If you missed the opportunity to get winter annual cereals planted last fall, spring-planted oats often make for a good Plan B if you’ll quickly need additional grazing or haying acres. Beef sp
There are several options to establish legumes into perennial grass sods. One method is to frost seed early in the spring while the grasses are still dormant. Another strategy is to interseed legumes
Photo: Noble Research Institute Cool-season annual grasses are used by producers across the Great Plains, but the forage comes with several downsides. Some of the concerns include delayed plantin
Double cropping annual forages is a good way to boost profits and provide extra pasture for livestock. However, it takes some planning, timely operations, and adequate rainfall at the right time.Bruce
