July 25 2017 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...
July 18 2017 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...
July 18 2017 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
July 11 2017 While predominantly used for soil and water conservation, cover crops can also be effectively utilized for winter grazing. Aside from extending the grazing season by taking advantage of quality forage
July 11 2017 Dry conditions in the High Plains have livestock producers on high alert for possible livestock nitrate poisoning. Extension specialists at North Dakota State University (NDSU) were quick to offer adv
July 4 2017 Barn fires never happen, until they happen. While racing the rain and harvesting that last cutting may be cause for celebration, hold the applause for a few weeks. Hay that is cut and baled with high moisture...
July 4 2017 While death and taxes may be certain, another time-tested truth is that weather is never truly predictable. Although climate change remains a heated debate, it is no secret that every growing season comes...
June 27 2017 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)...
June 27 2017 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
June 20 2017 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...
June 20 2017 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
June 13 2017 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
June 13 2017 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
June 6 2017 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
June 6 2017 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
May 30 2017 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
May 30 2017 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
