In the fall, a combination of wet soils and wet silage crops is never a good one. In his September issue of Crops and Soils News, Tom Kilcer outlines recommendations to deal with moisture issues this

Advanced pasture management tools could be right at your fingertips in a few years. The University of Missouri (MU) Extension is in the process of creating a mobile application to aid decision-making

Attaining perfect pastures may be less work than previously believed. Growers sometimes strive for complete control over weeds in order to maintain textbook monoculture pastures. Chris Teutsch, extens

After several years of nurturing, fertilizing, and spraying an alfalfa stand to keep it productive, there comes a time when all good fields reach the end of their useful life.The reasons for alfalfa t

“Last fall wasn’t too good of a seeding season; it was extremely dry. This fall looks like we’ll have a pretty good fall seeding season with cool temperatures and, for the most part,

Production agriculture has always been and will always be a gamble. Growing forages is no different. Ensuring productive stands next growing season starts this season, as the final cutting date affect

For those who haven’t traveled to Kansas and Oklahoma in the fall or spring, you probably don’t have an appreciation for the dominance of wheat as a forage crop in that part of the United States

Annual ryegrasses are a mainstay in many forage-grazing systems throughout the United States; however, not all annual ryegrasses are created equal.“Annual ryegrasses are grouped in two different

Providing additional feed is a relatively common practice throughout the summer months to boost gains on unproductive pastures. However, producers trying to “stretch the grass” by feeding suppleme

While certainly not a blessing, drought isn’t always a total loss. Kris Ringwall, extension beef specialist at North Dakota State University (NDSU), explains that tough times often result in the

If cows were born to eat grass, why are lactating dairy cows rarely fed grass forages? The answer, according to Pat Hoffman, is simply that as modern dairies have advanced in production, they h

The phrase, “Do it right or not at all,” speaks volumes to many. This sage advice passed down for generations can be applied to numerous situations — including fall forage establishment.

As critical drought conditions plague North Dakota, producers in Michigan are stepping in to lend a hand. North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and the North Dakota State University&nbs

Soil health experts champion the idea of using cover crops for a variety of reasons. As defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), cover crops control erosion, maintain soil health

There’s no question that soil health is key to the sustainability of a grazing operation. What is in question, however, is the actual effect of winter bale grazing on soil health. Simply put, many

(From left) Jessica Jurcek, Kirsten Jurcek, and Weenonah BrattsetFor Kirsten Jurcek, operating a grass-fed and finished beef farm is sustainable not only to her family, but to the land as well. Jurcek

When life gives you drought, make corn silage from your stressed grain crop. As dry conditions wear on in the Upper Plains, some producers are considering salvaging their corn cash crop as feed. “I

Planning is especially vital for fall forage production. While yield may be higher if planted early, dry weather and pest pressure are limiting factors. The contrary is true for late fall planting. University

Leaving new bales in the field is like leaving dirty dishes in the sink. Sure, it’s convenient at the time, but in both situations after a while they begin to stink. You can end up enabling future

A cow spends a significant amount of time during any given day chewing on forage particles. The ability to chew down forage particles into a manageable size for digestion is foundational in the utiliz