Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Mike Rankin

The author joined Hay & Forage Grower as the managing editor in April 2015. Since July of 2024, he has transitioned to senior editor. He had previously served 27 years as the Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin crops and soils agent with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service. He also worked eight years on a large dairy and grain farm in southern Illinois.
What horse owners want from haymakers
Hay

March 25, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Selling hay in the horse market can be both rewarding and frustrating. Even so, that market is the lifeblood for many commercial hay producers, especially those who make small square bales.“We somet...
Corteva to phase out their BMR corn program
Forage Flash

March 18, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Brown midrib (BMR) corn has been a staple feed on many dairy farms since the mid-1990s. These hybrids generally have a lower lignin content and higher fiber digestibility. Nutritional studies have hel...
Maximizing vs. optimizing a grazing system
Grazing

March 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
“We, as cattle producers, row-crop farmers, and as a society, have been pushed toward maximizing production as much as we can,” said Dan Glenn at the Kentucky Cattleman’s Association meeting las...
To bail or to bale
Forage Flash

March 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
“Our” word is being horribly abused, and it’s about time that someone brings it to light.After last week, I decided it was time to say something. Please, stay with me, there is a dir...
A toxic alfalfa situation
Forage Flash

March 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
It doesn’t matter what variety of alfalfa you plant. It doesn’t matter how much your seeder cost. It doesn’t matter if you nail the correct planting depth. It doesn’t matter if you poured the...
Win the spring forage-flush war
Forage Flash

March 4, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Graziers have always been challenged by the spring flush of forage, but most wouldn’t give it up unless there was an assurance of consistent growth throughout the summer, which never happens.The flu...
A chaotic week for USDA employees
Other

Feb. 25, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
Efficiency — it’s a word we throw around a lot as a reason for making a change. Every time farm prices tank, the rally cry from many different sources is to “become more efficient.” I’m sure...
Watch new mama cows on spring pasture
Forage Flash

Feb. 18, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
With the front half of February in the rearview mirror, pastures will soon start greening up from south to north. Regardless of where you hang your hat, spring-calving cows on lush pastures demand clo...
Double baler unveiled this month
Forage Flash

Feb. 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
IN YET another innovation for the small square bale commercial hay producer, AGCO Corporation recently announced the release of the Hesston by Massey Ferguson SB.1436DB baler. The baler produces two r...
Plan for native grass establishment success
Forage Flash

Feb. 11, 2025
BY Mike Rankin, Senior Editor
The use of native warm-season grasses such as the bluestems, indiangrass, and switchgrass in pasture systems is on the rise. Establishment of these grasses is often challenging, and failures are often...
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