Since the Clean Air Act of 1970 was enacted, precipitation that is laden with sulfur, dubbed acid rain, has all but disappeared. That’s a good thing, but this change has some agronomic ramifications
Photo: Wayne Coblentz, USDA-ARSIn a recent social media post, a beef producer was bragging about the fact that his cows were loving some hay that was put up too wet. “It got hotter than it should
At this point in the year, the temperature has dropped, forage production has slowed, and the grazing window is closing. While many producers will rely on large round bales to feed their herd, the str
Winter annual cereal crops provide beneficial soil cover through the late fall, winter, and spring, but they also are an excellent forage source that can be incorporated into dairy rations
Calving season can be a stressful time, especially considering the unpredictability of when cows will calve. Keeping an eye on your herd is doable in the daylight, but management becomes more challeng
During each step of making, storing, and feeding hay, waste can add up quickly and become costly. With the current record-high prices seen in some regions, storage and feeding losses have never been m
Patience is a virtue for many things in life, and it’s certainly a desirable trait when grazing small grain forages. “Research indicates that forage intake and animal performance is limited
When determining protein supplements to feed cattle this winter, alfalfa may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, alfalfa can be a valuable and cost-effective option. “High
You can’t starve a profit into a cow. The same can be said for a hayfield, according to Ohio State University Extension Educators Stan Smith and Chris Penrose.As fertilizer prices reach historic
Photo: Paige SmartSustainable intensification is a term used to describe farming practices that maximize yields without harming the environment and without the need to convert additional acres into cr
Imagine sitting in a roller coaster car chugging toward the top. When the car finally reaches its peak, it suddenly rushes downhill. The rest of the ride is full of twists and turns, including an upsi
In Southern beef systems, the need for forage often comes in the fall. This is when warm-season summer pastures have played out but before fall-planted winter-annuals are ready to graze.“In some
Outdoor winter feeding areas are likely to take a beating. Heavy hoof traffic and manure accumulation can cause soil compaction, erosion, and excess nutrient buildup. Allotting unfit acres for winter
It’s not that testing forages shouldn’t always be a member of the “must do” category; it just pushes higher up the list as the upcoming winter approaches.Supplemental feeding is
Despite seasonably warm temperatures in many parts of the Midwest, winter jackets, hats, and gloves will soon be retrieved from coat closets to combat the cold that is starting to creep in
Photo: Doug MayoWhen the laboratory grinding dust settled, and all 387 entries in the 2021 Southeastern Hay Contest were analyzed, it was Bill Conrad’s crimson clover hay that outdistanced the pack
A relatively new clover is taking center stage in recent tests and demonstrations in Arkansas, and this legume’s performance has the potential to impress impress even the toughest of critics
Last week, USDA published its October Crop Production report with updates to its August report. Final crop production estimates won’t be available until January’s Crop Production Annual Summary
Through the years, many great inventions have been the residue of someone’s desire to solve a problem. There are countless examples of what we consider mainstream agricultural equipment that s
