September 2021 Hay Pellets

September 28, 2021

• Year-over-year milk production in August was up 1.1%, according to USDA’s Milk Production report. This was the smallest production gain in over a year, and the size of the U.S. dairy herd dropped for the third consecutive month.

• Cattle and calves on feed for the U.S. slaughter market totaled 11.2 million head on September 1 (feedlots over 1,000 head). This inventory was 1% below a year ago. Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 1.89 million head, which was slightly below 2020, according to USDA’s Cattle on Feed report.

• Register now for the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance’s (NAFA) Alfalfa Intensive Training Seminar, which will be held virtually on October 26 to 28. The program features some of the nation's leading alfalfa production and feeding experts.

• The Noble Research Institute offers some pros and cons for prescribed burning of rangelands.

• The University of Florida Extension gives these cool-season forage recommendations for livestock and wildlife.

September 21, 2021

• The leading cause of barn fires is not hot hay.

• It’s difficult to have good pastures without a good water supply.

• A sudden change in grazing diet this fall may be the cause for bovine fog fever.

• Not all growing degree days are created equal when it comes to corn silage harvest.

• The University of Maryland released results from its winter cereal forage performance trials.

September 14, 2021

• The U.S. exported 215,308 metric tons (MT) of alfalfa hay in July. That was the lowest monthly total since February, and down 7,000 MT from July 2020. China accounted for 41% of the month’s alfalfa exports. Through July, exports of alfalfa hay to all trade partners are running about 3% behind last year.

• U.S. corn production in 2021 is now pegged at 15 billion bushels, up 2% from last month and up 6% from 2020. Yields are expected to average 176.3 bushels per acre, according to USDA’s September Crop Production report.

• Kansas State University Extension offers some tips on fall alfalfa cutting strategies.

• Late-season foxtails are causing problems in Alabama.

• Drought-stressed soybeans can be harvested as forage.

September 7, 2021

• This Kansas State University extension specialist reminds producers to test feeds for nitrate and prussic acid concentrations this fall.

• Avoid soil compaction during the upcoming harvest season.

• Here are more reasons to stockpile tall fescue this year.

• California hay producers should plan to attend this year’s Alfalfa and Forage Field Day on September 23 in Parlier.

• Michigan State University has recently provided some great video resources on the benefits and management of silvopasture.