Hay exports in 2025 totaled 2.7 million metric tons (MT), according to USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). This was down 17% year-over-year, following a relatively flat trend the previous
Few forage species require the level of management needed for alfalfa. From field establishment to the feedbunk, alfalfa growers need to be on top of their game to realize the crop’s potential.Perha
As the calendar turns to March, the anticipation of greener cool-season pastures heightens, and there’s hope that the winter drudgery of feeding stored forage will soon come to an end.Although the
The average hay price for alfalfa and grass held mostly steady in January, according to the USDA’s Agricultural Prices report. The average dry alfalfa hay price was $160 per ton, which was just $1
March 3, 2026• Kim Ricardo is the new forage field specialist with South Dakota State University Extension. In this role, Ricardo will help farmers enhance the productivity and sustainability
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which are indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end o
Silage sorghum is a niche, yet increasingly important, component of the U.S. forage landscape. Unlike grain sorghum grown primarily for grain and export, silage sorghum is grown specifically for biomass
February 3, 2026• The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) received a record number of research proposals eligible for funding from the U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Initiative, also known as the Alf
Brown midrib (BMR) corn has been a key player in the starting lineup of many dairy farmers’ feed crop rotations. But now that BMR hybrids are being called off the court and phased off the market,
Alfalfa generally gets along just fine when seeded alone, but adding a perennial grass dance partner offers some benefits, especially on soils where pure alfalfa stands are challenged by drainage or f
Warm-season grasses aren’t miracle forages, but they have a rightful seat at the table in Southern hay and grazing systems. Although they tend to be lower quality than their cool-season counterparts
Below are examples of alfalfa and grass prices being paid FOB barn/stack (except for those noted as delivered, which are indicated by a "d" in the table below) for selected states at the end of
I have been asked what ideal corn silage looks like quite a few times over the past 15 years. With dairy and beef producers feeding greater amounts of corn silage to their herds, yield and quality are
When we gained access to dial-up internet 25 years ago, one of the first resources I used was an Iowa State University online spreadsheet that calculated our cost of hay production. After entering our
Little is known about insect-transmitted viruses’ effects in alfalfa. Erik Wenninger, an extension specialist and Integrated Pest Management coordinator at the University of Idaho, set out to address
High forage dairy rations are an excellent nutritional strategy for optimizing production while controlling feed costs. High-quality, homegrown forages provide a cost-effective foundation for rations that
Livestock producers know that defecation is daily, and if livestock were penned, then serious piles would accumulate over time. Livestock excrement contains nutrients, and those nutrients can be a liability
