Hay

Stop Haying to Improve Your Bottom Line

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:58:15 GMT

Haying season is a traditional summer activity for ranchers, but in today’s economy, doing the work yourself versus buying hay might be hurting your bottom line.

“When you look at the numbers honestly, you may find you’re better off not making hay at all,” says Carson Roberts, extension specialist for forage and agronomy at the University of Missouri.

Time, equipment, interest rates and inflation shift with each generation. With feed as a top cost for cow-calf producers, knowing the true cost of hay production is imperative to running the ranch like a business.

“It’s all about getting above the business and looking down at it — and numbers are a really good way to do that,” Roberts says. “Know your numbers, not someone else’s numbers.”

There’s a lot that goes into calculating hay production costs. The first place to start is by separating enterprises.

“You need to separate your haying operation from your cattle operation — those are two different enterprises,” Roberts says. “Even if you’re feeding it yourself, put a real dollar value on that hay.”

After that, take inventory.

“Brainstorm everything — walk around your farm and take a picture of anything that has to do with producing hay,” he says.

From fertilizing to spraying to harvesting, there are many pieces of equipment and tractors to account for.

“Usually, if hay isn’t profitable, it comes down to equipment costs,” Roberts says.

This is largely due to increased equipment and repair costs.

“Today it takes about 28 calves to buy a new baler — 50 years ago it took 14,” he says. “We’re looking at equipment inflation running about 10 times faster than cattle prices.”

Using loan-free, older equipment isn’t free, either.

“If you’re running older equipment and doing your own repairs, you’re subsidizing your hay enterprise with your mechanic skills,” Roberts says.

Those mechanic skills take time and labor, which are often overlooked costs for business owners.

“Your time is most valuable doing the thing that makes you the most money,” he says. “If you’re a good cattle producer, you’ll make your most money producing cattle — not producing hay.”

The profitability of hay production is also dependent on the scale of the operation. For larger operators, the numbers might pencil out.

“At a large enough scale, owning equipment might make sense — but most producers aren’t there,” Roberts says.

To accurately calculate the cost of hay production on your operation, lean on local extension services that already have budgets or spreadsheets built for producers.

Once the numbers are calculated, what’s next?

“If you’re going to get out of haying, sell the equipment — it frees up capital and keeps you from going back,” Roberts says.

Purchasing hay also creates more freedom to feed what you want, instead of feeding what you put up regardless of quality.

“You can inspect it, sample it and know exactly what you’re feeding,” he says. “If half the hay got rained on, you can go find the producer whose hay didn’t.”

Sampling hay is well worth the cost to understand exactly what you are feeding. Outside of buying hay, increasing days spent grazing can have the biggest impact on the bottom line.

“You can make almost twice as much money per acre grazing as you can haying,” Roberts says.

Grazing isn’t limited to summer pastures. It can include stockpiled forages, corn stalks or cover crops. Cattle are more efficient at harvesting forage than haying equipment — let them do the work.

Learn more about how to transition from producing hay to purchasing hay on the “Casual Cattle Conversations” podcast .

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After Wildfire: Livestock Care, Documentation and Recovery

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 19:21:19 GMT

Recent wildfires have left many cattle producers across the country facing urgent management decisions.

Once humans are safe, producers should focus on three priorities:

Stabilizing livestock through health checks and access to clean water and feed
Documenting losses and engaging with insurers or assistance programs
Developing a grazing recovery plan that protects rangeland health going into the next grazing season.

Cattle Care

Cattle should not be allowed back into recently burned areas. Ashes, smoldering fence lines, hay piles and hot spots can cause significant injury to hooves and soft tissues.

If producers evacuated before all livestock were accounted for, make sure neighbors or first responders know where animals may be. In addition to brands, temporary identification such as paint or chalk marks, can help reconnect animals with owners later.

Plan to evaluate livestock multiple times over the coming days and weeks. Burn-related hoof damage, in particular, may take time to show up.

As you assess cattle, take time to examine the areas most vulnerable to heat and smoke damage:

Hooves, udders, sheaths and testicles for burns or swelling
Eyes and muzzle for soot, abrasions or ulceration
Respiratory signs such as coughing or rapid breathing

On days when smoke drifts across the area, avoid working or exerting cattle unnecessarily. Respiratory irritation from smoke can worsen with handling.

Cows in late gestation and pairs may need extra monitoring. Post-fire stress can weaken maternal behavior or reduce milk production. Burned or singed udders may prevent calves from nursing.

Consult your veterinarian early for burn treatment, pain management, antibiotics if needed and guidance about which animals are likely to recover. In some cases, humane euthanasia may be the best choice. Severely injured animals may also be unable to move safely or may not be accepted at packing plants, so evaluate transport options carefully.

Water and Short-Term Nutrition

Water access is critical. Displaced and stressed cattle often require more water. Animals that have gone without may overdrink when water becomes available again. When possible, cattle that have been without water for more than a day should be slowly adapted back to water by providing them with access to small amounts of water every half hour (3 to 5 gallons for cows and bulls, 1 to 2 gallons for growing cattle) until the cattle are no longer thirsty. Offering clean water from several access points helps avoid crowding and reduces digestive issues linked to sudden intake.

Forage losses may require temporary feeding support. Having forage available maintains rumen health. However, if no forage is available, a low-protein (12% to 14% CP), low-starch (8% to 12% crude fiber) commercial feed product can be used for four to five days to minimize weight loss until hay and/or grazing can be secured. If hay supplies have to be stretched, a combination of limit feeding hay and feeding a 28% to 32% range cube may help maintain body condition. Consult a nutritionist or your local extension educator for help with developing a feeding plan in these scenarios.

Documentation and Working With Insurance and Assistance Programs

Before moving carcasses or starting repairs, take clear, date-stamped photos of carcasses or injured animals; damaged fences, tanks and infrastructure; and burned hay or feed.

Record tag numbers, brands, and locations where possible. Contact your insurance provider early for instructions.

Carcasses should be handled according to state-approved disposal methods. Timing of disposal often depends on insurance and regulatory guidance. Follow local directives closely and take steps to prevent contamination around disposal sites or damaged feed areas.

Producers may qualify for several USDA programs, but it’s important to contact the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office promptly. These programs can help with livestock mortality, water and feed transport and grazing losses.

Coordinate any fencing or grazing changes with the FSA and the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) beforehand to ensure documentation and eligibility requirements are met. To locate your local USDA Service Center, visit https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

Keep veterinary statements and sale receipts for animals that decline or die in the weeks following the wildfire, as these may still qualify for compensation if linked to the event.

Burned pastures need time to recover. Plan for deferred or rested grazing and reevaluate stocking rates as you track regrowth through spring and early summer. Infrastructure such as fences, tanks and pipelines should be inspected and repaired before turnout. Temporary fencing can help keep cattle away from sensitive areas undergoing recovery.

The stress of wildfire recovery shouldn’t be overlooked. Here is a list of contacts that provide confidential support for emotional, financial and legal concerns associated with disasters:

Nebraska Rural Response Hotline: 1-800-464-0258)
AgriStress Helpline: 1-833-897-2474
988 Lifeline: Dial 988
Kansas: Visit KansasAgStress.org or call 785-532-6011
Texas: Call or Text the SAgE/AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474
Oklahoma: Contact OSU Extension at 405-744-5398 or visit farmstress.org .

Three Ways To Be More Profitable Making Hay

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:07:39 GMT

Haymaking is a game of threes, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Carson Roberts. To be profitable, producers must manage three key factors:

Equipment expenses;
Quality;
Yield.

Haymaking grew in popularity in the 1970s with the introduction of the large round baler. Large bales improved efficiency and reduced the labor required to handle and store small square bales. But just because producers can make more hay, it doesn’t mean they should, he says.

Skyrocketing equipment costs are forcing producers to take a harder look at haymaking economics. Machinery prices have far outpaced calf sale prices. Since the 1970s, the cost of a baler has increased tenfold, while calf prices have only increased a little more than fivefold.

A producer must have an understanding of this inflation issue and how to better leverage equipment in order to have a profitable haying enterprise.

To manage this, a producer has a several options:

Reduce equipment to match the acreage;
Spread equipment costs across higher yields;
Spread equipment costs across more acres.

No. 2 has the greatest potential at increasing profitability, if the cost of increasing yield isn’t too high.

Fifty years ago, a 500-lb. calf sold for about $71/cwt., and a new round baler cost roughly $5,000, enough to support 14 calves per baler. Today, producers average 29 calves and a baler that costs around $58,000.

The typical cow-calf producer in Missouri manages 45 to 60 cows and makes hay on about 75 acres. In high-yield years, producers may spend around $60 per bale. In low-yield years, that cost can climb to $120 per bale due to fixed costs and overheads.

While haymaking is steeped in tradition and gives producers a sense of control over feed inventory, it is an expensive enterprise. Roberts encourages producers to consider the economics of selling equipment and transitioning hayfields into grazing opportunities.

Producer attitudes have also shifted over the past five decades. In the past, many producers focused on making as much hay as possible, regardless of quality.

“This is not always the best strategy,” Roberts says.

Early first cuttings contain fewer coarse stems and mature seedheads. They are typically leafier and more digestible, with significantly higher protein content than later cuttings.

For producers who continue to make hay, Roberts suggests improving profitability by managing in-field traffic. Feeding hay back onto hayfields when the ground is frozen allows nutrients to return to the soil. He also recommends rotating fields through a graze-graze-hay system.

Ultimately, haymaking requires careful management of machinery costs to remain profitable. Roberts urges producers to sell excess or unused equipment and match machinery size to acreage.

Moving away from haymaking can be uncomfortable, he says, especially for those who value the tradition and sense of control it provides. However, purchasing hay can also offer control over the quality fed to the herd.

“You can control the quality of the hay you purchase,” Roberts says. “But you cannot always control the quality of the hay you make.”

Your Next Reads:
10 Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay
Why Should I “Quit Making Hay?”
Instead of Making Hay: 4 Profitable Alternatives For Cattle Producers to Consider
Instead of Feeding Hay: 5 Profitable Winter Feed Alternatives for Your Cattle Herd

Winter Hay Supplies Getting Low? Consider Limit-Feeding Grain to Your Cows

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:33:20 GMT

During the winter when pastures are no longer a viable feed option, hay becomes the most common feedstuff fed to beef cows. Additionally, during drought conditions, pasture no longer exists as a viable feed option and cattle producers resort to feeding hay. Unfortunately, drought conditions can also make it very difficult to grow and harvest enough hay needed to feed the cow herd when pasture is unavailable.

U.S. hay production has declined the past couple years due to widespread drought across much of the country (Figure 1.). Decreased hay production has created a greater demand for hay and as a result the price of hay has increased. What other feed options do you have besides hay?

Figure 1. U.S. Hay production and the price received for hay sold.

(Michigan State University)

A viable option to replace ad libitum or free-choice hay may be to limit-feed or restrict-feed corn to your beef cows. For three straight winters, this option was tested by Steven Loerch with The Ohio State University beef cow herd until the cow herd finished calving. Diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of 1,300-lb. gestating beef cows.

For limit-fed corn diets, cows were transitioned to the high-concentrate diet over the course of four days and received 1.7-2.6 lb. of hay per head per day, depending on the trial year, to maintain proper rumen health. Whole shelled corn was fed at 9.9 lb. per head per day and was increased when temperatures decreased and energy demands were greater for the cow.

A pelleted supplement was also fed to the limit-fed corn group to supply adequate protein via soybean meal and urea, and supply calcium, vitamins and Monensin. The quality of orchard grass hay round bales offered to the ad libitum hay group consisted of 9-10% crude protein and 68-75% neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Hay waste was assumed to be 10%, which is within the range commonly reported for feeding round bales in feeders.

Offering hay and supplying Monensin in the supplement, prevented cows from experiencing digestive upsets while being fed a high-concentrate diet. Feeding whole shelled corn also slows down the rate of diet fermentation in comparison with feeding processed (i.e., cracked, rolled, ground, steam-flaked) corn. Not surprisingly, cows that were limit-fed corn expressed behavioral signs of being hungry and boredom. Offering extra hay may be a potential solution, but results in a greater feed cost.

Overall, cows limit-fed corn consumed 52-58% less feed on a dry-matter basis and at a 40-49% reduced feed cost. Corn has more than twice the energy content and supplies a greater amount of energy per dollar compared with hay. Thus, resulting in a reduced feed intake and feed cost to supply similar amounts of energy. Monensin supplementation likely helped to reduce feed intake and feed costs as well. In two subsequent trials with beef heifers, Monensin supplementation was shown to reduce feed intake by 7.5% compared with no Monensin supplementation.

In these experiments, corn cost $2/bushel ($71/ton), hay cost $80/ton and the supplement cost $150/ton. With current market prices, assuming costs for corn = $4.75/bushel ($169/ton), hay = $200/ton, supplement = ~$450/ton, Table 1 illustrates how limit-feeding corn is still a cheaper option today than providing beef cows with free-choice hay.

Table 1. Cost comparison of limit-feeding corn versus free-choice hay offered to beef cows

Feed Ingredient	Limit-fed corn	Free-choice hay
Hay	2.2 lb. × $0.10/lb. = $0.22	29.5 lb. × $0.10/lb. = $2.95
Corn	12.5 lb. × $0.085/lb. = $1.06	-
Supplement	2.2 lb. × $0.225/lb. = $0.50	-
Total	$1.78/d	$2.95/d

The limit-feeding strategy resulted in greater variation in body weight change compared with cows offered free-choice hay, but differences were not consistent between the two different groups. Part of this can be explained by the changing energy demands caused by the fluctuating temperatures during the cold winters, hence why corn supplementation had to be increased at certain times during each of the three trials. Meanwhile, cows offered free-choice hay were able to consume more hay until they achieved gut fill, and then energy intake became limited as well.

On average, cows that were limit-fed corn produced calves that were heavier at birth compared with cows offered free-choice hay, with no reported difference in calving difficulty. Calves from cows limit-fed corn typically yielded heavier weaning weights as well. Conception rates were similar across treatments.

If the amount of body weight lost during winter is too great, it can negatively affect conception rates the following year, as was demonstrated in the third trial. Generally, early- and mid-gestation is the time to add body weight and condition back to cows after the calves have been weaned. During late-gestation and early lactation cows will be mobilizing energy toward the fetus and for milk production needed to feed their calf and not towards their own body weight gain.

The idea of restricted feeding came from previous work by Loerch with backgrounding systems for growing cattle before they were transitioned to a feedlot diet. This restricted-feeding concept has also been applied to feedlot cattle during the finishing phase as well.

— Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University Extension

Your Next Reads:
3 Nutritional Questions to Consider Prior to Calving
Instead of Feeding Hay: 5 Profitable Winter Feed Alternatives for Your Cattle Herd
3 Rules When Figuring Winter Hay Supply Needs

3 Nutritional Questions to Consider Prior to Calving

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:42:08 GMT

Supplying adequate nutrition to the cow is critical during the 60 days prior to calving and immediately after calving.

“Beef cattle can turn high fiber forages and food by-product residuals into protein food at a very effective rate,” says John Comerford, Pennsylvania State University professor emiritus of animal science, in a recent extension article . “For the cow herd, there is seldom a period during the year when the cow cannot meet her nutritional needs with reasonable quality grass, hay or stored forages. The exception for these nutritional needs is for the 60 days prior to calving and immediately after calving.”

Why Is There a Nutritional Challenge Prior To and After Calving?

Comford explains there are three major reasons why cows are challenged prior to and right after calving:

The initiation of lactation
The return to a fertile reproductive state
The production of colostrum

He adds the cow’s age has an impact on these factors, and younger cows have more critical nutritional needs.

Lawton Stewart, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant dean for extension, and Uttam Saha, UGA Agricultural & Environmental Services Lab (AESL) program coordinator, explain there are three nutritional questions producers should consider as calving season approaches — depending on forage availability and quality.

Does restricting feed in the last trimester decrease calf birth weights?
Do you need more protein to go with hay?
Are you underestimating crude protein and overestimating energy?

Does Restricting Feed in the Last Trimester Decrease Calf Birth Weights?

Stewart and Saha say yes, feed restriction will decrease birth weights. The problem is that birth weight is not the only thing it will affect.

Recent research has focused on fetal programming . Fetal programming is the concept that maternal stimuli or insults during fetal development have long-term effects on the offspring.

One of the most critical aspects of fetal programming involves the adequate nutrition, or lack thereof, of the dam. Research has shown minimal impact on calf birth weights; however, the restricted nutrition during the last trimester decreased weaning weights, finishing weights and hot carcass weights.

Additionally, research from Nebraska indicates heifers from nutritionally restricted cows reached puberty 14 days later than those with proper nutrition.

Do You Need More Protein to Go with Your Hay?

Stewart and Saha say possibly, however, protein is only half of the equation.

Figure 1: The nutrient requirement of a mature brood cow through a 365-day calving interval.

(UGA)

From April 1 to Oct. 1 of 2025, 773 bermudagrass hay samples were submitted to the UGA lab. The mean crude protein (CP) and energy (TDN) value was 11.1% and 55.7%, respectively. The illustration above represents the CP and TDN requirements of a brood cow throughout the production year. As cows enter the final trimester, their CP requirement is exceeded by the average bermudagrass sample, but the energy requirement falls short. More importantly, as they calve, enter peak lactation and the breeding season, the CP requirement is met, but the TDN falls tremendously short.

Do Producers Underestimate Crude Protein and Overestimate Energy?

Stewart and Saha say there is a tendency for producers to underestimate crude protein and overestimate energy.

“The cheapest money you will ever spend in a beef cattle operation is a forage test, guaranteed,” Saha says.

He explains a great illustration of this happened recently during the UGA Master Cattlemen’s Program. As part of the program, a free forage test was offered to participants along with a survey to estimate what producers thought the quality of the hay was prior to testing. This survey showed 83% of producers were underestimating the protein of their hay compared to the actual. This would result in purchasing a protein supplement when not needed.

For energy, 50% overestimated the level, resulting in depriving needed energy during late gestation and early lactation. In addition to the previously discussed fetal programming issues, this could also cause delayed breeding.

Figure 2: Actual example of over estimating energy.

(UGA)

An example of overestimation of energy is illustrated the example above. The overestimation could likely result in breeding being delayed 42 days. The resulting loss in weaning weight could easily reach 80 lb., leading to an approximate $280 decrease in value per calf.

“Through forage testing, the producer would know to feed 4 lb./day of a supplement such as corn gluten feed. Based on a 25-cow herd, this could easily return $6,325 above cost. That is a no-brainer,” Saha explains.

Brood cow nutrition is a crucial part of a beef cattle operation. Between fetal programming and maintaining the proper calving interval, it is imperative for producers to pay close attention to the nutrients available in their forages, and if they meet the requirements of their herd.

Your Next Read:
Ensuring Quality and Nutrition: Three Easy Steps For Forage Analysis
9 Tips to Ensure Calving Season Success
Your Calving Prep Starts Here: The Essential Checklist

Seeding Cover Crops Aerially Can Boost Grazing Potential

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 11:15:00 GMT

Stored hay can be a livestock producer’s best insurance, says University of Missouri Extension plant science specialist Caleb O’Neal, who is also a cattle producer. It provides flexibility for cattlemen to rest pastures in the event of drought and is often the feed of choice for winter herd maintenance.

O’Neal’s goals for his own herd include being able to actively graze high-quality forage most of the year, but he relies on hay as a backup option “when grazing pickings are slim.”

High-quality hay can be made with favorable weather and good management.

“But in many cases, the hay that we as producers make is cut too late in the season and has poor feed value,” he says.

For a longer grazing season, many producers either manage their established forages differently or plant specific forage species that grow during times of the year that traditionally have limited forage availability. Many of these species are popular in cover crop seed mixtures.

Cover crops can provide an excellent opportunity for livestock producers to extend their grazing season, O’Neal says.

“Planting cover crops between cash crops like corn and soybeans is a widely adopted practice across the state, and while these annual cover crop species are frequently planted for the benefit they provide to the soil, their planting also opens the door to outstanding opportunities for graziers who are willing to think outside the box,” he says.

Many cover crops that are planted to maintain soil structure during the off-season can also provide unparalleled forage quality for livestock producers at a time of year that aligns very well with the forage base relied upon by most cattle producers in the state, he says.

Many producers are familiar with the excellent forage that cereals like wheat and rye can provide in early spring. But, historically, it’s difficult to achieve a grazeable cover crop in the fall on the same ground you’re using for cash crops because the cash crop grows late into the season. By the time it is harvested, there is little time to get a cover crop established and growing strong enough to tolerate fall grazing.

However, modern technology like utility drones can help producers “double dip” by establishing cover crops earlier in the season and achieve both fall and spring grazing from the same piece of ground, says O’Neal.

Aerially seeded cover crops can be seeded earlier in the season–late August through September–while the cash crop of corn or beans is still standing in late maturity. Cover crop seeds flown over the cash crop canopy will work down to the soil and slowly emerge in the protected space provided by the standing crop of corn or beans.

“The magic happens when the cash crop is harvested and the dense canopy is removed, allowing sunlight to be captured by the already established young cover crop below,” says O’Neal.

The cover crop that has been seeded and growing for several weeks wastes no time in being productive. With adequate fall moisture, it will likely be ready to graze in late October through November.

Grazing cover crops in the fall lets livestock producers rest cool-season pastures to accumulate winter stockpile fescue, which holds forage quality well and can then be grazed in the dead of winter.

Common cover crop mixes for aerial seeding include small-seeded brassicas like turnips and radishes, but there are also few plants that can put on as much growth for fall grazing as a spring oat, O’Neal says. Forage species like this when paired together make for exceptional fall and early-winter grazing.

For fall and spring grazing from the cover crop mix, be sure to select the correct forage species to aerially seed. Most species of oats will winter-kill, so throwing a winter-hardy cereal like rye or triticale and a legume like crimson clover in the mix can help ensure there is high-quality forage available to graze in March and April the following year.

“Aerially seeding cover crops can be an excellent way to extend the grazing season and make the most of every acre. With land prices climbing faster than a cornstalk in June, maximizing the productivity of the ground we already have just makes sense,” O’Neal says.

“If we plan ahead, we can establish high-quality forage that not only supports the nutritional needs of our herds but also reduces our reliance on costly stored feed. When implemented correctly, grazing cover crops in the spring and fall is a win for the livestock, the land and our bottom line,” he says. “With the right forage species and adequate moisture, aerial seeding can help producers reduce feed costs, improve herd health and get more value from every acre.”

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Why Should I “Quit Making Hay?”

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:13:18 GMT

I recently wrote an article on the cost of making hay . Though originally written for Missouri producers, it struck a chord with cow-calf operators across the U.S. and sparked widespread conversation.

The article outlined 10 reasons you should quit making hay:

High equipment costs. Equipment inflation has outpaced cattle prices by a ratio of 10:1 over the past 50 years.
Over-equipped farms. Many farms own more equipment than is needed to get the job done.
Haying takes time. Haying takes time away from tasks that could generate more income.
Labor shortages. It’s hard to find good help nowadays.
Variable forage quality. Weather, equipment and timing make it hard to consistently produce high-quality hay.
Oversupply of hay. Many regions currently have more hay than demand.
Haying removes nutrients. One ton of fescue hay removes 32 lb. of nitrogen, 12 lb. of phosphorus and 45 lb. of potassium from the soil.
Soil degradation. Haying can compact soil and shortchange soil microbes.
Profitable alternatives. Hay fields can be converted to more profitable enterprises.
Cheap winter-feeding strategies. Stockpiled fescue, milo, corn and cornstalks offer lower-cost options.

Since publishing the article, I’ve received a wide range of feedback — some positive, some critical and many thoughtful questions. Below are a few of the most common reader-comments and my responses:

“We shouldn’t take advice from some university professor who has no recollection of how farming works.”

Fair point — and I should have introduced myself better. I grew up on an alfalfa, barley and cow-calf farm in southeast Idaho. I’ve owned and traded cattle, sheep and horses since I was 9 years old. I milked cows to pay my way through college. Today, I work as an applied researcher on the Cornett Farm in rural Missouri. My wife and I also own and operate a small farm where we graze seasonal cattle during the summer on warm-season grass pastures. We stockpile forage and feed purchased hay to our year-round herd.

“This is easy to say right now, but things are different during a drought.”

Absolutely. But remember — most costs, except for net wrap and hauling, don’t change during a drought, even if your hay yield drops. That means your cost per ton of homegrown hay also goes up too. Planning ahead is key. Hay prices often spike during droughts when producers run out of grass in mid-July. Buying hay early, when prices are seasonally lower, can help. Also, converting hay ground to pasture can provide additional grazing during dry spells.

“How do I ensure consistent hay quality if I start buying hay?”

Start by building relationships or collaboration with reliable suppliers. Request forage tests, inspect bales before purchase and consider long-term contracts to lock in quality and price. Many producers find that purchased hay — when sourced carefully — is more consistent than what they can produce themselves, especially when weather or equipment issues interfere.

“Why would farms with fewer than 400 cows be more profitable by purchasing hay?”

The 400-cow figure is a ballpark estimate. Haying can become marginally profitable at scale, but most U.S. cow-calf operations average 40 to 50 cows. These producers typically feed hay for about 130 days, requiring around 125 tons annually. With an average yield of 4 tons per acre, that’s about 30 acres of hay ground — hardly enough to justify owning a full line of depreciating equipment.

“Where do I start, and how do I transition to feeding less hay?”

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Transitioning to a year-round grazing system depends on your land, forage base, calving season and management style. Growing and stockpiling pasture is just one part of the equation. It requires planning, even in spring. Attending a grazing school is a great first step. Also consider adjusting your calving date. Lactating cows have nearly double the intake and nutritional demand. Feeding hay to lactating cows is expensive. Calving in sync with forage availability is almost always more profitable.

“Is this advice only relevant to Missouri, or does it apply to other regions too?”

While the examples are Missouri-based, the principles apply broadly. The economics of hay production, opportunity costs and alternative forage systems are relevant across the country. Producers should adapt these ideas to their local climate, forage species and market conditions. There are cow-calf producers in every state feeding cows through winter with minimal hay — find them and learn from their systems.

For many operations, especially smaller ones, hay production may no longer be the most efficient or profitable use of time and resources. By exploring alternatives such as stockpiled forage, custom grazing or strategic hay purchasing, producers can often reduce costs, improve soil health, and free up time for higher-value activities.

Every farm is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. My original article has done its job if it gets you thinking critically about your haying operation and opens the door to more sustainable, profitable systems.

Your Next Reads:
Instead of Making Hay: 4 Profitable Alternatives For Cattle Producers to Consider
Instead of Feeding Hay: 5 Profitable Winter Feed Alternatives for Your Cattle Herd

New 2026 Balers and Hay Tools Launched By Case IH, John Deere, New Holland, And Vermeer

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:01:14 GMT

Case IH’s new RB6 series variable chamber round baler offers durability and less maintenance with triple seal bearings throughout the machine. This ensures contaminants stay out while lubricants stay in to maintain optimal operation.

The RB566 model includes several enhancement options:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New double roller windguard increases compression and control for OSF pickups, allowing for increased capacity and ground speed.
The new Bale Weigh capability allows operators to monitor and record individual bale weight on an ongoing basis via in-cab monitoring. This capability weighs the bale in chamber without pausing the machine.
Pro 700 Plus display or Pro 1200 display compatibility.
FieldOps machine and telematics data via mobile and web apps have the ability to monitor individual bale data such as drop location, weight and moisture content.

“Another thing we’ve done is, on our pickup, we’ve went to a double roller windguard on the 566. Our customers who are bailing a lot of corn stalks, they’re dealing with some big windrows,” says Brian Williams, livestock product specialist, CNH Industrial. “And what this does is it pushes those windrows down and smashes them out and allows them to feed into the baler more fluidly so they can go faster.”

The RB6 series is manufactured in the U.S. in New Holland, Penn. , and order writing is open now. Orders signed this fall will begin shipping in March 2026.

John Deere intros V452M Round Baler with stepped-up automation features

(John Deere)

John Deere says its new V452M round baler provides enhanced productivity and precision ag tech integration for hay and forage operations.

The V452M headlines a newly updated lineup of VR and CR round baler models, introducing a new naming convention and advanced features purpose-built for heavy crop and silage conditions, while the current 1 Series round balers will continue to serve customer baling needs.

Expanding the versatility of John Deere’s round baler lineup, the VM, VR and CR lineup updates include variable-chamber and variable-wrapping combination models.

Key features of the V452M include:

Advanced Bale Chamber Technology: Three starting rolls and two belt drive rolls ensure consistent bale rotation.
Larger Bale Chamber: 4-by-5½ feet chamber width to maximize bale weight.
High-Density Silage Capability: Produces silage bales up to 11.7 pounds per cubic foot.

The full updated Model Year 2026 Deere baler lineup introduces several features to boost productivity (capabilities vary by model):

Industry-Leading Gate Cycle Time: As fast as three seconds for more bales per hour.
Moisture Sensors and Bale Scales: Seamlessly connect to the free John Deere Operations Center for near real-time bale documentation and yield insights.
G5 or G5e Monitor for in-cab adjustments and data-driven decisions.
High-Capacity Feeding System: A 7.2-foot-wide five-bar pickup handles heavy windrows with ease.
Baler Automation With New Unplug Assist automatically stops the tractor when the target bale size is reached and manages the gate cycle. When needed, Unplug Assist automatically stops the tractor and disengages the PTO when a plug is detected.

The VM, VR and CR balers will begin shipping in November 2025. For more information, contact your local John Deere dealer

New Holland rolls out Roll-Belt 1 Series Balers

(New Holland)

New for model year 2026, New Holland is introducing three updated Roll-Belt 1 Series models designed to work smarter, bale faster and ensure producers stay connected.

New Holland says feeding performance gets a boost with its Roll-Belt 451, 461 and 561 models. A newly designed single roller windguard now comes standard on all OSF (OverShot Feeder) pickup models. And a larger 8.4" roller — 60% larger in diameter than its predecessor — helps better compress the crop mat and improve feeding into the chamber.

For those baling larger windrows, a new dual roller windguard is available as an upgrade option on the 561 model. The front and rear rollers pivot independently, providing adaptive control in variable crop and ground conditions. Operators can also lock both rollers together when compressing loose or fluffy windrows.

“Each of these three models has a distinct fit. Take, for example, the Roll-Belt 561. In corn stalks, it truly shines,” says Alex Berwager, livestock and dairy business manager, New Holland. “We’re seeing a 16% improvement in feeding capacity thanks to the dual roller windguard, jumping from 43 to 50 tons per hour. That means less plugging from the controlled crop flow and greater productivity to tackle more when your time is short.”

Vermeer launches fleet of new baler and hay tools for 2026

(Vermeer)

Vermeer’s new model year 2026 baler and hay tool launch is led by the all-new ZR-2200 self-propelled baler.

The launch fleet also includes:

604 S series balers
605S Rancher baler
ZR-2200 self-propelled baler with the Z604S bale chamber
3 new models of carted wheel rakes.

“We’ve taken feedback from dealers and hay producers to build equipment that’s intuitive, durable and designed to deliver results,” said Shane Rourke, managing director of forage, Vermeer.

604S Premium Baler

(Vermeer)

The new 604 S series balers come in three models: Rancher, Signature and Premium (shown above).

Vermeer says the machines are built to help producers get more 6’x4' (1.8-m by 1.2-m) bales put up in a day.

The 604S Rancher is a reliable, straightforward option for value-focused producers who want durable components and convenient operation.
The 604S Signature features enhanced driveline capacity and rugged components, ideal for high-volume operations.
The 604S Premium pulls out all the stops with smart automation, comfort-focused features and productivity tools that help operators work faster, smarter and with less effort.

All three models share common components — including the camless wide pickup with a hydraulic pickup lift, a mechanical netwrap system and the Atlas Pro control system with in-cab density adjustments.

ZR-4S self-propelled baler.

(Vermeer)

Since the launch of the ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler in 2017, producers have consistently asked for a 4' (1.2-m) model that delivers the same level of automation, comfort and productivity.

Vermeer says it is answering that request with the new ZR-2200 self-propelled baler with the Z604S bale chamber (ZR-4S). The ZR-4S (pictured above) features zero-turn maneuverability, integrated automation and a premium cab packed with operator-focused features.

From auto tie and eject to real-time bale data and TempSense bearing temperature monitoring, the ZR-4S self-propelled baler is built to keep operators productive, informed and comfortable.

VRC Carted wheel rake

(Vermeer)

Three new carted wheel rakes — the VRC820, VRC1022 and VRC1224 — offer robust construction, updated hydraulics, and simple adjustments to help producers get the most out of every pass.

With raking widths ranging from 20' (6 m) to 24' (7.3 m), these rakes are designed for longevity and ease of use for operators of all sizes.

Full availability on these new hay tools is expected in Spring 2026.

Your Next Read: Less Work, Better Bales - John Deere Intros Weave Automation

Instead of Making Hay: 4 Profitable Alternatives For Cattle Producers to Consider

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 14:34:54 GMT

If you didn’t make hay, what could you do instead?

Carson Roberts, Missouri extension state forage specialist, says the consensus in the beef industry is making your own hay is the cheapest way to feed cattle through the winter.

“This couldn’t be further from the truth,” he explains. “Hay is expensive to make and expensive to feed.”

Encouraging producers to think outside the box, Roberts recently shared “ 10 Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay .” His point No. 6 suggests producers consider profitable alternatives instead of traditional hay production.

He recommends these four alternatives will often pay more per acre than producing hay:

1. Stockers

“Often, you’re lucky to break even on your hay enterprise — especially if you’re a small operation with a lot of overhead,” Roberts says. “With stockers, you’re looking at $766 per acre in gross revenue.”

He refers to research done by Eric Bailey, Missouri extension beef nutrition specialist, that found one acre can produce approximately 350 lb. of beef and with a $2.19 value of gain. If you add in the cost, it is about $200 more per acre than a hay crop.

He adds this approach can be nearly as profitable as crop production in some years. This year, crop production is not profitable at all, meaning that you would make approximately $200 more by running stockers than row crops, too.

2. Custom Grazing

“Custom grazing offers lots of flexibility with very little expense,” he explains.

Roberts says, on average, custom grazing rates are $1.75 to $2.50 per day per head.

“Let’s say a cow is consuming 30 lb. of forage per day. During that spring flush, you’re able to produce 1,000 to 3,000 lb. of grazable forage. Let’s be conservative and assume that we can harvest 1,500 lb. of forage. Divide that by 30, and you’ll see that you can graze 50 animals per acre for one day. At a rate of $1.75 you’re looking at $87 per acre or $116 per ton of forage during that 3-month spring flush.”

3. Grazing Home-Raised Cattle

He says this option is particularly effective for fall-calving herds using excess springtime forage when cattle can gain up to 3 lb. per day during spring flush, increasing their market value.

Home-raised stocker calves are a great low-hanging fruit. They are already adapted to your farm and management style. You can utilize the spring flush to put weight on weaned calves to sell them mid-summer.

4. Cull Cow Grazing

Roberts says cull cows may be the only class of animals that increases in per pound value as they get fatter. Traditionally, the cull cow market is at its annual peak during mid-summer, which is a perfect time to start destocking in preparation for stockpiling fescue.

He suggests purchasing or retaining thin cull cows in the spring and then grazing for a few months. You can then sell in July or August for a profit with a cheap cost of gain.

Roberts summarizes the goal of all these enterprises is to turn that cheap springtime grass into a high value product. These alternatives focus on maximizing land use, reducing feed costs and creating additional revenue streams beyond traditional hay production

“The key is matching cattle production cycles with forage availability,” he says.

He emphasizes these strategies are most applicable in the fescue belt but can be adapted to various regions across the U.S.

“You must have an open mind if you want to make a profit,” he adds. “Things are different now than they were 50 years ago. We can be far more profitable if we adapt.”

Your Next Read: 10 Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay

20 Phrases Every Farmer Actually Mutters About Rain

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 02:15:25 GMT

If there’s one topic that unites farmers across all sectors of ag, it’s rain. It’s more than just weather on the farm, it determines your profits, your schedule and your mood all wrapped into one frustrating package. And it doesn’t matter if it’s planting season, mid-summer or the final push before harvest, our entire lives revolve around what’s happening in the sky.

If two or more farmers are talking, you can bet rain will come up in the conversation within the first five minutes. Here’s a look at some of the most common phrases you’ll hear when farmers start talking about rain:

“We could use some rain.”
This is the go-to phrase farmers have said since the beginning of time. It’s a simple, familiar line heard everywhere from church parking lots to town meetings, starting at planting and sticking around through the end of harvest.
“It would be nice if it stopped raining.”
Ah, the full-circle moment. Just two weeks ago we were begging for a slight shower. Now it’s been raining cats and dogs for four straight days.
“How much rain did you get?”
This is more than small talk; it’s actually a competition between farmers, and there is a winner and a loser.
“How much rain did so-and-so get?”
Because we all know that one farmer magically got all the rain, again.
“Did you see the forecast for the week?”
This is a question that leads farmers to check five weather apps that all have five different answers.
“That cloud is looking pretty dark.”
If this phrase is said on any farm, everyone will turn to look and offer their opinion on if it’s actually going to rain or not.
“It always seems to miss us.”
Every time the radar shows a line of storms, somehow it splits, shifts or drifts just enough to leave you high and dry.
“We needed that.”
This is often said with a kind of relief that comes after waiting days or weeks, when even a small rain feels like a lifeline.
“It was just enough to settle the dust.”
This is farmer speak for: it looked better than it was, but we’ll still take it.
“The radar made it look like we’d get rain, but we didn’t get a drop.”
All the signs pointed to a downpour, but somehow the sky held back.
“It split and went north again.”
Of course it did. It always does. It never rains where it’s supposed to.
“The neighbor got an inch, and we got nothing.”
This can go one of two ways: You’re ticked that you didn’t get the rain, or you’re thankful that you didn’t get more of it.
“It’s too wet to get anything done now.”
Welcome to farming: Nothing goes according to plan, and every drought seems to end with a downpour.
“Hopefully it holds off ‘til we get this hay in.”
A tempting statement that all but guarantees a pop-up thunderstorm. Mother Nature never checks your schedule.
“At least we get a break.”
This is said when the rain slows work down but gives everyone a moment to catch their breath.
“We’re overdue.”
This is usually muttered out of practicality and frustration, recognizing that the dry spell has gone on longer than expected and something has to give soon.
“It was just enough to green things up.”
It wasn’t a drought-buster, but it was good enough to make everything look better.
“How long do you think this dry stretch will last?”
Asked like someone might have insider info. Nobody does, but that won’t stop the theories, calendar comparisons or 2012 references.
“You could see the rain line from here.”
Another version of “we missed it,” but with more drama and eyewitness testimony.
“I could be a meteorologist.”
Said when the forecast flips unexpectedly, reminding everyone that sometimes even the experts are just guessing.

Whether it’s not enough, way too much or the perfect amount, rain brings out every emotion in a farmer’s toolkit — hope, stress, gratitude, frustration, envy and relief. And no matter what the forecast says, one thing is always true: If you’re a farmer, you’ll never stop talking about rain.

Make Hay in May for Best Quality, Yield

Tue, 13 May 2025 11:45:35 GMT

May is when cool-season grasses transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage. Many grasses such as tall fescue, orchard grass and Kentucky bluegrass are already flowering in parts of Missouri.

For yield and quality, May is the best time to harvest cool-season grasses, says University of Missouri Extension state forage specialist Harley Naumann.

Cut before seeds develop for best results. “Once they go into the reproductive stage, the leaf-to-stem ratio decreases, fiber content increases, and there is an overall decline in nutritive value,” says Naumann.

In short, they become tougher and less nutritious.

Waiting too long is losing proposition

The longer you wait to mow beyond the transition stage, the poorer the quality of the hay. “Given the cost of making hay, waiting too long and producing a poor-quality product is a losing proposition,” Naumann says.

An early cut removes the reproductive tillers and encourages healthy regrowth headed into summer. When the cutting is too short, forages may not grow as well, and weeds may take hold when summer heat and dryness hit.

An early cut helps to reset pastures for fall regrowth and better-quality hay. If you wait, cool-season grasses go into summer slump with little growth in July and August.

Short Cuttings Mean Weeds, Toxicity Risk

Cut, but don’t cut too short, Naumann says. He recommends cutting about 3.5-4 inches for best quality. Cutting too short can stress the plant and allow weeds to encroach.

Cutting higher retains more leaf material for photosynthesis, causing plants to rely less on root reserves for regrowth. Plants depend on strong root systems, especially during dry periods.

“Overall, this leads to more vigorous plants that have a better chance of outcompeting undesirable weeds and therefore increases persistence,” Naumann explains.

Prolonged practice of cutting too short results in thin stands in the future.

Also, the lowest 2 inches of tall fescue is the least nutritious and contains the most endophytes, putting livestock at risk in toxic Kentucky 31 fescue fields. Additionally, equipment is more at risk of damage when it comes into contact with soil, gravel and rocks, which puts more grit and dirt into the hay.

Store Correctly to Prevent Losses

Once hay is harvested, proper storage is critical to protect your investment. Ideally, hay is stored off the ground or on a concrete slab and under cover. Producers can expect as much as 40% dry matter loss from hay stored in contact with the ground and uncovered, compared to 10% for hay stored inside or on a rack with a cover.

For more information, see MU Extension publication Making and Storing Hay .

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Less Work, Better Bales: John Deere Intros Weave Automation

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 13:49:48 GMT

John Deere has launched weave automation for select round balers, according to a press release issued by the company.

Deere says this new feature helps streamline the baling process. The operator simply places the windrow between the front tires of the tractor and lets the baler do the work.

Today, round balers have gate and speed automation, which automates stopping the tractor when the bale is full sized - wrapping and ejecting the bale. The addition of weave automation allows less reliance on the operator skill to make a uniformed bale.

“Weave automation allows the baler to align with the tractor’s movements to effectively cover windrows of varying shapes and sizes,” said Kaylene Ballesteros, John Deere go-to-market manager for hay & forage equipment.

A New Process
The weaving hitch system allows a +38-degree swing from left to right, allowing for enhanced feed system and bale feeding capabilities. Not only does the automation streamline operation, it also enhances feed quality by minimizing contamination of debris introduced by driving over windrows.

Deere also says the added maneuverability of the baler allows the machine to position bales in a way that reduces the risk of rolling on uneven terrain or hillsides, increasing operator safety, productivity and efficiency.

To learn more about the John Deere Round Baler weave automation, stop by John Deere Booth 2025 at NCBA’s CattleCon, contact your local John Deere dealer or visit deere.com.

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Round Bale Feeders Are Worth the Investment

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:30:00 GMT

Hay feeding losses occur primarily from trampling, refusal, and leaf shatter. Some feeding loss is inevitable but can vary from as little as 2% to more than 50%. A study conducted by Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service found that feeding round bales in open bottom hay rings reduced the amount of hay fed by 29% when compared to feeding round bales unprotected (13% loss vs. 42% loss). If a 1200-pound round bale cost $35, a 29% reduction in hay loss is equivalent to a $10.15 savings per bale. The hay savings from using a ring on 20 bales would pay for a round bale feeder that cost $200.

Feeding losses from 20 round bales fed without a hay ring would pay for a commercially available round bale feeder.

(Pugh/OSU)

A more recent study by OSU assessed the efficacy of four types of hay ring feeders. Reported dry matter losses for the different rings were: poly rings (21%), open-bottom steel rings (20.5%), sheeted rings (12.6%) and modified cone feeders (5.3%). This data indicates that switching from an open bottom ring to a modified cone feeder would result in a 15.2% reduction in dry matter loss. With the same $35 per bale hay, that equates to a savings of $5.32 per bale. Cone feeders range in style and costs, but a popular model retails for $565. This indicates that after feeding 107 bales through the cone feeder it would pay for itself in hay savings.

(Pugh/OSU)

If we compare the OSU modified cone data to the University of Arkansas data from using no ring feeder, we could potentially realize a 36.7% reduction in dry matter loss by utilizing a feeder. This is a savings of $12.85 per bale at $35/bale hay value!

This decision to purchase a proven and efficient hay feeder design would only require 44 bales of fed hay to pay for the purchase. Round bale feeders are a wise investment when free-choice hay feeding is necessary.

Your next read: Data Shows Larger Hay Supply and Lower Hay Prices

Data Shows Larger Hay Supply and Lower Hay Prices

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 21:13:17 GMT

Larger May 1 stocks and increased year over year hay production led to larger hay supplies in 2024 (Figure 1). Total hay production in 2024 was up 3.3 percent year over year and combined with May 1 hay stocks up 46.6 percent over 2023 levels to increase the total hay supply by 7.9 percent compared to year earlier levels. The total hay supply was 1.7 percent below the ten-year average supply from 2014-2023.

(Peel)

Total hay production includes total alfalfa hay production, almost unchanged from 2023 levels and 8.4 percent below the ten-year average as well as total other hay production, up 5.5 percent year over year and 0.6 percent above the 2014-2023 average.

Coming into winter 2024/2025, Dec. 1 hay stocks were up 6.3 percent year over year, though still down 3.2 percent from the ten-year average. Hay supplies have recovered from the drought-reduced levels of 2022-2023 (Figure 1) and, as a result, hay prices have dropped from record levels (Figure 2).

(Peel)

Table 1 shows the top ten state rankings for December 1 Stocks; All Hay Production: Alfalfa Hay Production and Other Hay Production and highlights the considerable regional variation in hay production and stocks. Texas is the largest hay producer, mostly other hay, with production and Dec. 1 stocks well above average.

Alfalfa hay production was down compared to the ten-year average in some important dairy production states (California and Idaho) as well as in some mostly beef cow states (Montana and South Dakota) that depend on alfalfa hay (Table 1).

(Peel)

In many states, increased hay supplies are providing more management flexibility for cattle producers and lower hay costs are reducing annual cost of production somewhat. However, among major beef cow states, Florida, Kansas, Montana, and North Dakota, 2024 Dec. 1 hay stocks are down year over year and below the ten-year average.

Your next read: Future Proof Your Cattle Management

Operational Diversity Drives Success for a Colorado Ranch Family

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 22:44:20 GMT

As a kid, Dave Gottenborg loved to read Western novels. He dreamed of running a ranch. As a teenager, while working a summer job on horseback in Estes Park, Colorado, he met his wife, Jean, who shared his dream of ranching. In 2012, more than thirty years later, their dream finally came true when they purchased Eagle Rock Ranch, located 9,000 feet above sea level near the town of Jefferson, Colorado.

“We got here a little bit late, but we’re making the most of it,” Gottenborg tells Davis Michaelsen on the latest episode of Grow Getters , a Farm Journal podcast showcasing how ag producers are creating new businesses to help support their operations.
Having built a very successful career in law and in the energy sector, Gottenborg had no intention of playing cowboy on a hobby ranch. He approached stewardship of the 2,800-acre property — which dates back more than 150 years as a cattle and hay operation — with a strong commitment to making it a successful business. His daughter, Erin Michalski, her husband, Matt, and their three children, joined Dave and Jean in the enterprise.

He quickly learned that financial success required diversification. “It became apparent to me early on that farmers and ranchers need other sources of income to survive,” he explains on the podcast. “We need to look at our attributes and how we can monetize them to stay on the land.” They opened a store in nearby Fairplay, through which they sell their beef and other merchandise. They also set up an online direct-to-consumer business, which has found customers in all 50 states. Erin now offers classes to other cattle producers on setting up their own e-commerce businesses.

When customers started asking about ranch visits, the Gottenborgs added an agritourism business to their operation. Ranch tours, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing now play important roles at Eagle Rock Ranch.

Their main focus, however, remains on growing their timothy-grass hay, which was voted Best in Show at this year’s Colorado State Fair, and on tending their herd of roughly 100 cow-calf pairs of pure-breed Black Angus cattle. In 2023, Dave was named Commercial Producer of the Year by the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association.

As for how to start a new business, Gottenborg offers this advice: “Don’t be intimidated. We’ve learned there are a thousand ways of doing anything and none of them are the correct way. People say, ‘you think outside the box,’ but I don’t even know where the box is. We just try to figure out what’s best for us in this location with the resources we have.”

Watch the full interview on Grow Getters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E45Hbl_dqk

Visit the Eagle Rock Ranch website: https://www.eaglerockbeef.com/

Fall and Winter Feed Management Strategies for the Cow Herd

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 23:19:58 GMT

Haying season is over, the days are getting shorter, and temperatures are cooler. Fall is here and winter is just around the corner. Beef producers will keep cows grazing as long as they can because grazing is cheaper than feeding harvested hays and forages. Depending on stage of production, supplements can be fed to take care of any nutrient gaps. Dormant range, cool-season pasture, and cornstalks are good winter feed resources as long as grazing recommendations are followed. At some time during the winter and before pastures can be grazed next spring, there is a good chance that harvested hays will be part of the menu for the beef herd. Now is a good time to get the harvested hays component organized.

Sampling Hay
Contact the lab that you will send the hay samples to. The lab often provides plastic bags to put samples in (a quart zip lock will do just fine too), an information sheet identifying the hay type, analysis you want the testing lab to perform, and billing and contact information.

For harvested forages like hay, use a hay probe to collect the sample for an accurate assessment. Most extension offices have a hay probe that can be checked out. Sample each hay by lot . A lot is hay harvested at a similar time, from the same plant type and growth stage, and from a similar location such as a field. Because hay quality can vary due to differences from all the listed factors, sampling by lot ensures that a representative sample is provided for testing.

For most hays, 20 subsamples should be taken per lot and then mixed before the sample bag is filled and submitted to the laboratory. This helps capture variation in the hay. When sampling, try to take samples at random from bales. Don’t seek out good spots or avoid bad ones as this can skew results providing an inaccurate assessment of the hay quality.

Testing Hay
The most cost-effective analysis for most hays is a NIRS analysis . For this type of analysis, it is important to identify the sample (alfalfa, summer annual, prairie hay, bromegrass, etc.). Most common hays have a robust NIRS database for labs to pull from, but complex mixtures or rare hay types may still be best analyzed using traditional wet chemistry. If you have any questions, reach out to your lab of choice before submitting for confirmation on types of analysis (NIRS, wet chemistry) to use.

If hays will be fed to beef cows, test for moisture, percent crude protein, and total digestible nutrients (TDN). TDN cannot be directly tested but is a calculated value. You can request minerals as part of your NIRS analysis. If there is a need to test for other minerals, the lab can do that using another testing procedure. Summer annuals should also be tested for nitrates.

Hay Inventory
Inventory hays by type (alfalfa, grass hay, summer annual, etc.). Inventory each hay type by quality, including high (percent crude protein and percent TDN), moderate, and low. Count the number of bales by type and quality. Take a weight of each hay type by quality and calculate total pounds of each type. This will help determine the number of feeding days for each hay type and quality. Cows will eat more of the high-quality hay compared to the moderate and low-quality hay because it is easier to digest.

Cows will eat between 2.0 and 2.5 percent of their body weight on a dry matter basis . As you budget the amount of hay needed, account for storage losses (10% to 25%) and feeding losses (10%). It is important to store hays in such a way to reduce storage losses. Store big round bales on the round side with space between them and not in low places where water settles. Additionally, limit or control (by mowing) the growth of weeds around the bales.

The following calculations will help you determine the amount of hay to budget per cow.

If cows, on average weigh 1,200 lbs. and the hay quality is moderate to high, each cow will eat 30 lbs. per day.
When accounting for feeding losses (10%), this calculates to 33 lbs. per head per day on a dry matter basis.
To determine the amount needed on an “as-fed” basis, look at the hay analysis to get the dry matter content.
If the moisture content is 15%, then the dry matter content is 85%. Most baled hays will be between 84% and 90% dry matter. Divide 33 lbs./hd/day by 0.85 to determine pounds per head per day “as-fed”. For this example, the amount is 39 lbs. per head per day. If storage losses are 15%, you will need to budget 45 lbs. per head per day.

Staging Hay
With inventory complete, consider organizing the stackyard by hay and forage quality.

Stage by type (alfalfa, grass hay, summer annual, etc.) and quality. If some hays like summer annuals are high in nitrates, make sure you know where these hays are in the stackyard because they need to be diluted with other hays to be fed at a safe level. Consider identifying these bales by spray painting the bale wrap with a N.

Organize the bales in the stackyard, so that you can easily get to each hay quality and type. Work with your Extension Educator or nutritionist to determine when and what to supplement when the hay doesn’t meet the cow’s nutrient requirements based on her stage of production (stage of gestation and stage of lactation).

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Estimate Hay Needs For Cattle Herd Now

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 18:30:47 GMT

Here are some basic rules of thumb to follow when determining the hay supplies you will need to sustain your cow herd over the next few months.

Determine your average mature cow size. This can be done by weighing your 4 – 7 year old cows and calculating the average weight. From mature cow size, we can approximate the amount of forage dry matter cows will need to consume per year or per day. For example: a 1,000 pound cow will consume about 26 pounds of forage dry matter per day. A 1,400 pound cow will consume about 36.4 pounds of forage dry matter per day.
Determine your cow inventory
Estimate the amount of time you expect to be feeding cows.

From this information you can calculate the total amount of hay needed. For example: 100 cows weighing 1,400 pounds will consume about 3,640 pounds of hay per day. We should take into account that a certain amount of the hay fed will be wasted and there will be a certain amount of spoilage of each bale fed that won’t be consumed. With this in mind we will add another 10% to the daily total to bump it up to about 4000 pounds (2 tons) per day.

Remember the amount of hay wasted or spoiled could be higher. If we are feeding hay from last year expect a higher percentage spoiled in each bale.

If we are expecting to feed hay from mid-October to mid-May, that is approximately 200 days of hay feeding. 4,000 pounds of hay needed per day x 200 days equals a total of 800,000 pounds (400 ton) of forage dry matter that cows will consume over this time. If we are feeding or buying large rounds with an average weight of 1,250 pounds that equates to 640 (800,000 divided by 1,250) big bales needed to sustain the 100 cows.

If possible, purchase hay by the ton. It leads to less error in securing the amount of hay you will need to purchase or have on inventory. If buying hay by the bale is your only option, make sure to weigh enough of the bales to have an accurate representation of bale weight. Also, take into account the amount of spoilage of each bale. One of the upsides of hay baled this summer (and the drought we are dealing with now) is less spoilage of warm season grass hay baled in the summer of 2024.

Other factors such as weather, stage of gestation or lactating versus dry cows will obviously impact nutritional requirements of cows from day to day. Provide hay and other nutritional supplementation accordingly.

When Hay Supplies Are Tight

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 20:02:16 GMT

When Mother Nature impacts hay quantity and quality, it’s time to look for other options to maintain cattle through the winter months.

“Ranchers need to inventory their fall and winter feed supplies as soon as possible to develop economical feeding strategies,” says John B. Hall, professor and beef Extension specialist at the University of Idaho.

He recommends taking hay samples for nutrient analysis, which will prevent overfeeding hay or underfeeding cows.

Consider these suggestions as alternatives to hay.

Strategic destocking

Destocking can alleviate immediate pressure on hay supplies and provide an influx of money to reinvest in the farm, such as purchasing alternative feeds, paying down debt or investing in infrastructure improvements, says Jimmy Henning, a professor in the department of plant and soil sciences at the University of Kentucky.

“By selling off older or non-productive animals, farmers can reduce the demand on their hay supplies,” Henning says. “It’s a tough decision, but in a year like this, it can be a vital strategy for ensuring the herd’s long-term sustainability.”

The decision to destock should also be coupled with a plan to restock or try alternative enterprises such as yearlings, he suggests. Hall says it’s important to run budget analysis on the destocking option, including tax implications.

“With calf prices appearing strong the next two to three years, and replacing cows possibly costly, investigate all options,” Hall says. “While reducing cow numbers might not be the best option, the value of bred cows is high, which might create an income opportunity over feeding alternatives.”

Stockpiling forage options

As producers look for ways to stretch their hay supplies, stockpiling forage, particularly tall fescue, is a key strategy in certain regions. Tall fescue, known for its resilience during cooler months can reduce the need for supplemental hay.

“Tall fescue is an incredible resource, especially in the fall and winter months,” Henning says. “Stockpiling fescue allows producers to extend the grazing season and reduce their reliance on hay, which is particularly important when hay supplies are tight.”

Beyond stockpiling, some farmers are exploring warm-season grasses, such as native species or Bermuda grass, which can thrive during hot, dry summers. These grasses offer a sustainable solution for diversifying forage options and improving pasture resilience.

“Perennial warm-season grasses aren’t a quick fix, but they are a strategic investment for the future,” Henning explains. “A diverse pasture system can make the difference between just getting by and actually thriving.”

Alternative feeds

When hay is in short supply, alternative feeds, such as soybean hulls, can be a viable option.

“While they might not be cheap, these feeds provide the necessary roughage and energy that ruminants need,” Henning says.

Hall says corn gluten feed, distiller’s grain, wheat midds or brewers grains can replace some hay and make hay go further.

“In general, 1 lb. of these feedstuffs can replace 1.5 lb. to 1.8 lb. of hay on an energy basis,” he explains. “These alternative feeds provide additional protein, which allows for use of lower quality hay.”

Another option is using ammoniated straw, which increases the nutrient value of straw as well as breaking down fiber content.

“Ammoniated straw can replace a significant portion of the hay for dry, gestating cows,” Hall says.

Alternative grazing

Crop residues, such as wheat stubble and corn stalks, are good options for fall and early winter feed for gestating cows. Grazing crop residues requires protein supplementation to meet nutritional needs of cows,” Hall says. “Grazing hay aftermath instead of bailing a short field is another option.”

“Take time to compare feed inventories to cow nutritional needs and develop a plan to meet those needs now,” Hall says. “Be proactive to prevent costly decisions to buy feed late winter.”

Growing Teff Grass

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 21:07:45 GMT

Teff grass may be a good forage or cover crop option for producers.
By: Rutendo Nyamusamba, Agronomy-Crops Field Specialist, SDSU Extension

“Have you considered teff grass?” This is a growing response to those who are looking for more crop choices in their operations. In Western South Dakota the growing interest is linked to no-till systems and cover crops. Teff (Eragrotis tef), is native to Ethiopia in Africa where it is mainly grown for its grain used in making the staple, injera. Although there is an increasing market for its grain, teff is mainly a forage crop in the US.

Can I grow teff?
Most likely. Teff grows well in many environments and soil types. Teff is best sown when soils warm-up to 65oF followed by warmer growing temperatures of at least 80oF. Teff is very intolerant of cold temperatures and frost, with a reported 100% kill when temperatures dropped to below 32oF. A firm seedbed is important when sowing teff, with a shallow sowing depth of between 1/8 and ¼ inch. Seeding deeper than ½ inch has great potential of a stand failure. However, seeding this shallow can be a challenge. At Dakota Lakes Farm, teff is seeded deeper, packing the seed into the bottom of the trench and leaving the trench open. Surface seeding is possible if there is enough moisture Teff seed is small with a seed count of 1.14 million to 1.50 million un-coated seeds/lb. In 2013, at Dakota Lakes farm, seed was even smaller with a seed count of 1.8 million un-coated seeds/lb. Seeding rate of 4-8lbs/acre is the general recommendation. Teff produces many tillers (Picture 1). With favorable temperature and moisture, teff germination is rapid, taking 3 – 5 days. The 1st two weeks following germination are concentrated in establishing the roots hence the need to think about weed competition at crop establishment.

According to teff research results at SDSU, summarized in the Extension Extra (ExEx 8071) entitled, “Teff: A new annual forage grass for South Dakota?”, teff can be seeded from late May to July. Optimum production was achieved in late May planting where 1st cutting was done in early August and a second harvest mid-September or can be grazed. Because of its shallow root system, it is recommended that grazing be done on re-growing teff after the 2nd cutting. Grazing before the 1st cutting might result in animals pulling plants out of the ground. A 1st cutting height of 3 – 4 inches gives better regrowth as it allows blade to remain for photosynthesis. Trials at SDSU yielded 1.3 to 5.3 tons/acre of biomass. There has not been many concerns with disease and insect problems. However, a stem-boring wasp caused significant damage and stunting of growth in one year of the trials conducted by SDSU at Highmore and Brookings.

What are other possible uses/ reasons to plant teff?

As an emergency forage or rescue crop
To supplement hay during the ‘summer slump’ months
For double cropping following cereal grain like wheat
As a rotational crop following alfalfa
As a green manure crop
For soil erosion control
To make use of field corners for those with center pivots
To extend production months of an old alfalfa stand

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:58:07 GMT

Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. Weeds also impact the aesthetic value of a pasture. Therefore, producers may choose to initiate weed management strategies that reduce the impact of weeds on forage production.

The first step in effective weed control is to evaluate the pasture or hay field to determine the source of the weed problem. Soil testing to determine the current nutrient and pH status is the place to begin. After correcting fertility levels, the following things must be evaluated and corrected:

Stocking rate to eliminate overgrazing problems
Pasture rotation schedule
Need for additional grazing land
Prevent scalping and mowing-too-low
Correct the mower height in order to leave adequate stubble
Consider renovation where forage stands are very weak

First, a weed is defined as any plant growing where you don’t want it. Therefore, we must begin to think in a broader sense as to what weeds are. A weed can be Bahiagrass or Crabgrass growing in a Bermudagrass hayfield. These unwanted plants are often more aggressive than existing or desired forage species and compete for light, water, and nutrients. In latter stages of maturity, weeds can also reduce the quality and palatability of the forage available for livestock grazing. However, not all weedy plants are detrimental to pastures. In fact, some weedy plants provide nutritional value to grazing animals.

Grazing can be used as an effective weed management tool. Livestock will graze weeds when they are small. In the early vegetative stage of growth, many weeds have nutritive values equal to or greater than the desired forages. However, the forage quality of weeds decline rapidly as the plants mature.

Mowing is especially effective in reducing the amount of weed seed produced by established broadleaf weeds. The mower should cut as close to the ground as possible. Mowing may not completely eliminate weed seed production, since some seed could be produced by plants that regrow from tillers present on grasses below the height of cutting. Also, perennial weeds that spread by underground rootstocks, like thistle, are not effectively controlled by a single mowing.

Another control method includes various herbicides that are available to provide broad-spectrum weed control. When making your selection try to choose a product that will control as many weeds as possible. This reduces the use of herbicides and also minimizes cost by reducing the number of passes through the field. When applying multiple products choose products that can be mixed in the same tank and applied in one pass.

Two popular types of weed control products are pre-emerge and post-emerge herbicides. Pre-emerge herbicide must be applied before the weed seeds germinate. An example of a pre-emerge product is Prowl H2O. This herbicide is used to control Crabgrass in Bermudagrass hayfields. Post-emerge products are used to kill weeds after they have germinated. These herbicides must be used when the plant is actively growing and not simply green.

When using any herbicide, it is important to be aware of the surrounding crops. Drift from many of these herbicides are lethal to other crops like vegetables, shrubs and flowers. Pesticide spray drift is the movement of pesticide dust or droplets through the air at the time of application or soon after, to any site other than the area intended. They should choose a product that will not harm surrounding crops if drift occurs. Drift will vary with boom height, nozzle type, pressure, and wind.

Most herbicides have grazing and feeding restrictions stated on the label that limit the use of the crop for livestock feed. Producers should know and adhere to any grazing or haying restrictions. These restrictions can be anywhere from seven days to one year. Different products vary in their restriction guidelines. Many products that have no grazing restrictions for beef cattle will have grazing restrictions for dairy cattle. Most will also have a withdrawal period before slaughter.

Herbicides can be a useful tool for weed management in pastures and hayfields. They should be used where appropriate and when cost effective. A program that integrates several different control strategies is generally more successful than relying on only one method. Weeds present at the time of herbicide application may be controlled, but if the forage stand is not vigorous and actively growing, new weed seedlings will soon emerge and occupy the bare areas that remain. Thus, without proper use of mechanical control methods and good cultural practices, herbicide use will not be beneficial.

Options For Producers When Facing Short Hay Supplies

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:04:27 GMT

When livestock producers face challenges of low-quality hay and lower yields due to weather extremes, they look for other options to maintain cattle through the winter months.

For example in the southeast early spring rains and a hot summer have let to less than ideal hay growing conditions.

“This year’s weather has been a perfect example of the challenges farmers face,” says UK Department of Plant and Soil Sciences professor Jimmy Henning on what he’s seeing in Kentucky. “We went from a very wet spring, which delayed hay cuttings, to an exceptionally dry summer that drastically reduced second cuttings. Too much low-quality hay and little of the higher quality second cutting will put a lot of pressure on our livestock producers.”

Kentucky typically sees its first hay cuttings around late May to early June. However, this year’s weather has disrupted that cycle. The prolonged wet conditions in the spring prevented timely harvests. When the weather finally cleared, the ensuing dry spell left fields barren, with many farmers missing out, or just beginning their second cuttings.

“The second cut looked promising after some rain, but the return of dry conditions halted growth,” says Robert Coleman, UK Department of Animal and Food Science associate professor. “Understanding the available inventory for purchase is tricky, so if you know of hay for sale, it’s wise to secure it now.”

Hay Areas in Drought

(USDA)

Economic impact and strategic destocking

When hay prices rise, sometimes it makes it difficult for producers to purchase additional supplies. To cope, experts are advising farmers to consider strategic destocking, or culling of livestock to manage their resources.

“One of the first steps livestock producers should consider is destocking,” Henning says. “By selling off older or non-productive animals, farmers can reduce the demand on their hay supplies. It’s a tough decision, but in a year like this, it can be a vital strategy for ensuring the herd’s long-term sustainability.”

Destocking not only helps alleviate immediate pressure on hay supplies but also provides an influx of money that can be used to reinvest in the farm—for purchasing alternative feeds, paying down debt or investing in infrastructure improvements.

Stockpiling and alternative forage options

As producers look for ways to stretch their hay supplies, stockpiling forage—particularly tall fescue—has emerged as a key strategy. Tall fescue, known for its resilience during cooler months, can provide a reliable grazing option in the fall and winter, reducing the need for supplemental hay.

“Tall fescue is an incredible resource for our farmers, especially in the fall and winter months,” Henning says. “Stockpiling fescue allows producers to extend the grazing season and reduce their reliance on hay, which is particularly important in a year when hay supplies are tight.”

Beyond stockpiling, some farmers are exploring using warm-season grasses, such as native species or Bermuda grass, which can thrive during the hot and dry Kentucky summers. While these grasses require a long-term commitment and upfront investment, they also offer a sustainable solution for diversifying forage options and improving pasture resilience.

“Perennial warm-season grasses aren’t a quick fix, but they are a strategic investment for the future,” Henning says. “In years like this, having a diverse pasture system can make the difference between just getting by and truly thriving.”

Reducing hay waste and exploring alternative feeds

Reducing hay waste is an additional critical area where producers can make gains. Traditional methods of feeding hay, such as leaving bales out in the open where they can be trampled and spoiled by livestock, lead to significant losses. Implementing more efficient hay management systems, like ring feeders or covered hay cradles, can drastically reduce waste.

“Hay waste is one of those areas where small changes can make a big difference,” Henning emphasizes. “Investing in ring feeders or other efficient hay management systems can significantly reduce the amount of hay that gets trampled and wasted, helping farmers stretch their supplies further.”

While hay management systems can seem like a large initial investment, they save money in the long run.

“A good hay feeder might seem expensive initially, but if it saves you 25% or more of your hay, it quickly pays for itself,” Coleman says. “Especially in years like this, reducing waste can make a huge difference.”

Alternative feeds are becoming an option for those facing severe hay shortages.

“When hay is in short supply, alternative feeds like soybean hulls can be a lifesaver,” Henning says. “These feeds provide the necessary roughage and energy that ruminants need, and while they might not be cheap, they offer a viable option when hay isn’t available.”

In other regions, some producers still have last year’s hay stocks available. In the West, producers dealing with wildfires will have to begin feeding hay sooner than usual as grazing lands have been burned. According to an AgWest report, California’s alfalfa yields may be down due to higher temperatures and a cut in water usage for a 45-60 day period in the growing season.

When livestock producers have to navigate these challenging conditions, the importance of long-term planning is becoming increasingly clear. Building resilience into farming and ranching operations—whether through diversifying pastures, investing in infrastructure to reduce waste or exploring alternative forages—will be key to weathering future challenges.

Compiled from a University of Kentucky release.

Read more about hay:
Understanding Forage Quality Analysis
Hay Feeder Design to Reduce Hay Waste

Understanding Forage Quality Analysis

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 22:06:54 GMT

Ruminant animals are naturally meant to consume a diet based on forage or roughage. Pasture and hay should usually make up most of the diet. When purchasing hay, many people may utilize visual quality such as greenness, free of weeds, more leaves than stems but we should strive to know the nutrient content.

The following report has been run for a basic analysis which provides protein and moisture, acid detergent fiber (ADF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), Net Energy for maintenance, lactation, and gain. Once moisture content is determined, we only want to focus on the Dry Basis column for accurate nutrient comparisons.

Forage Analysis Report

(Oklahoma State University)

Moisture %: the ideal moisture for hay will range from 10% to 20% with approximately 15% being ideal. Moisture above 20% can lead to risk of mold formation and potential for spontaneous combustion.

Crude Protein (CP) is usually what most people look at when evaluating a feed ingredient. Total nitrogen is the fraction of the plant including true protein and non-protein nitrogen. Crude Protein in forages is simply calculated by multiplying total nitrogen by 6.25.

Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF,%) is a sub-fraction of Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF,%) which was not run on this report. NDF is the whole fibrous fraction (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin) plus small amount of silica and minerals that constitute most of the plant cell wall. ADF is composed of cellulose, lignin and a minor amount of silica and minerals. Both ADF and NDF give us an idea of the amount of fiber. The more mature the plant becomes, the higher the amount of fiber it will contain. We refer to these values as being negatively correlated. The higher the ADF value the less digestible the forage will be broken down in the digestive tract. The higher the NDF value is negatively correlated with forage intake, so the higher the number, intake will be reduced.

Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN,%) is a simple measure of energy consumption expressed as a fraction and is calculated from ADF. TDN tends to overestimate the energy value of roughages compared to concentrates (grains). It still is a good measure of performance predictability based on its value.

The California Net Energy System provides improved predictability of productive response of animals, depending on whether feed energy is being used for maintenance (NEm), growth (NEg) or lactation (NEl). Since this system is more complicated most people rely more on the TDN value.

In summary, high-quality forage is the end product of good growing conditions, correct harvest timing and proper handling and storage from harvesting to utilization. Knowing the nutrient contents goes a long way in managing the performance of livestock. Please, get that hay tested!

The Value of Hay as Fertilizer

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 17:10:08 GMT

This time of year, many producers are feeding cows hay. Have you ever stopped to think about what the dollar value of the nutrients in the hay are worth as fertilizer once they have been processed by the cow?

Mature cows should excrete 100% of the nutrients they consume in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

For example, if 100 cows are being fed 30 lbs. per head per day of 17% protein alfalfa hay, that is .03% phosphorus and 2.4% potassium on an as fed basis.

So, what is the value of the nutrients available to the pasture or field where the manure is being deposited?

3000 lbs of alfalfa hay X .17 crude protein = 510 lbs of protein. Nitrogen X 6.25 = crude protein. By taking 510 lbs of crude protein and dividing by 6.25 = 81.6 pounds of nitrogen in the fed hay. Only about 35% of the nitrogen in manure and urine is available to be used. The balance is lost to volatilization as ammonia.

Using 81.6 pounds of nitrogen X .35 = 28.6 pounds of nitrogen available to be used by growing plants from the fed alfalfa hay.

The availability for phosphorus and potassium in manure and urine from feed consumed is 100%.

To find the value of phosphorus and potassium in the fed alfalfa take 3000 X .003 = 9 of phosphorus and 3000 x .024 = 72 lbs. of potassium.

In one ton of alfalfa hay, there are approximately 19 lbs. of nitrogen, 6 lbs. of phosphorus and 48 lbs. of potassium that are applied to the ground in excreted manure where the hay is fed. The fertilizer nutrient value of these minerals at $0.60/lb. of N ($11.40), $0.65/lb of P ($3.90) and $0.40/lb. of K ($19.20) would in total equal $34.50 per ton. This value doesn’t include micronutrients and the organic matter in manure and wasted hay.

It is common to see weed problems develop on rangeland that cattle are fed on during the winter months. The nutrients from the hay are often concentrated in feed areas and the availability of nitrogen, in particular, in rangeland situations encourages weed growth.

If hay is being fed, is there an opportunity to feed cattle on ground where the nutrients can be utilized for growing tame perennial or annual forages that would respond to the fertilizer?

Nutrients in hay have value. Finding ways to effectively utilize and recycle nutrients is economically beneficial. Strategically thinking about how to capture the value of nutrients in harvested forage is one way to reduce fertilizer prices for growing crops.

For more information on calculating the nutrient value of harvested feeds, visit this University of Missouri Extension article titled “ Calculating Fertilizer Value of Supplemental Feed for Cattle on Pasture.”

Heavy Rainfall Causes Forage, Pasture Challenges

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Source: Ohio State University

It’s probably best not to invoke the old saying “Make hay while the sun shines” to forage producers this year. The sun hasn’t been shining very often, and they haven’t had the ability to make much hay.

Ohio saw a record rainfall in April with a statewide average of 7.42 inches -- that’s compared with 2.2 inches in April 2010. And so far, May has brought with it higher-than-normal rainfall as well.

“I’ve seen hay fields really suffering because of the excessive moisture,” said John Grimes, beef coordinator for Ohio State University Extension. “Cooler-than-normal temperatures have also impacted growth.”

Grimes and Jeff McCutcheon, OSU Extension educator in agriculture and natural resources, say livestock farmers they have talked with have tried to treat pasture gently this spring -- not grazing as much as usual to reduce damage to the sod.

“The forage is maturing,” McCutcheon said. “Normally they’d be trying to rotate rapidly through their fields to keep up with the grass. But this year, the forage is getting ahead of them, which means lower quality and lower yield later in the summer.”

McCutcheon said the nutritional quality in forage is still within an acceptable range for most livestock. “But if they’re heavily milking a dairy cow or they have animals they’re trying to grow, they might need to watch it. The higher the nutritional demand, the more you need to check the quality and possibly make some adjustments.”

More information on taking forage samples and interpreting test results is available in the OSU Extension fact sheet, “Forage Testing for Beef Cattle,” at http://ohioline.osu.edu/anr-fact/0002.html

The wet weather also has prevented new seedings of alfalfa and orchardgrass. “There’s still a window to plant other options,” McCutcheon said. “Sorghum/sudangrass, pearl millet -- those are the typical standby summer annuals to consider. If they’re going to graze, Italian rye grass and some brassicas are options. And, you can still plant corn for silage. That’s another option.”

Grimes said another option might be to plant soybeans and use the income from the crop to buy extra feed. “As with all farming, the big variable is the weather,” Grimes said. “To spread your risk out, consider a variety of strategies. It’s not a one-size-fits-all. Look at all of your resources before coming to a decision.”

Grimes added that farmers may want to plan now to attend the Ohio Valley Extension and Education Research Area’s Beef and Forage Field Day, scheduled for Aug. 25 at the Jackson Agricultural Research Station, to learn more about how to respond to this type of weather pattern. More information about the topics to be addressed will be available in coming months at http://beef.osu.edu .

“There’s a lot of frustration right now,” Grimes said. “There’s just too much water.”

Pests Proved Costly in 2021 with Grasshoppers and Fall Armyworms Wiping Out Entire Fields Across U.S.

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 20:05:54 GMT

As drought plagued the West and Plains in 2021, grasshoppers took over many pastures and crops, which demolished grasses and hayfields.

“It’s so widespread, that I’m afraid it’s going to be pretty devastating to the industry,” southeast Oregon rancher Bob Skinner told U.S. Farm Report this past summer.

Conditions were so dire, Skinner had to pull his cattle off of federal BLM land a month and a half early, which was a hard decision considering the land is vital for grazing and feed.

“There’s no pasture anywhere, period, around here,” said Skinner. “It doesn’t matter where you go, or how much you pay for it. You can’t find pasture. So, you couple that with the drought and the grasshoppers, the lack of hay, I just don’t see anything good coming out of this thing.”

Grasshoppers Demolished Hay

A swarm of grasshoppers was a common scene across parts of Oregon, Montana and North Dakota this past year.

AgDay and U.S. Farm Report affiliate KFYR spoke about the problem with Trevor Steeke, a rancher in North Dakota. As Steeke chronicled the grasshopper damage, he said it was the first time he had seen something that extreme in his 25 years of ranching.

“They’re eating it down to nothing,” Steeke told KFYR. “You can see my 300 acres of barley, all you can see is they’ve eaten it to the ground. There’s nothing left.”

In a normal year, Steeke would get 1,500 to 3,000 bales from a 1,000-acre field. This year, he baled 53.

“It’s going to be a tough year, a lot of tough decisions are going to have to be made,” said Steeke.

A First for Fall Armyworms

In the South, farmers and ranchers battled a different type of pest.

“This fall, the armyworm outbreak is the worst I’ve seen in my career,” said Gus Lorenz, Extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas system Division of Agriculture.

What are other “Unspoken Truth About Pests”? The Farm Journal team digs into more details here.

The fall armyworm outbreak in Arkansas was one for the record books, as Arkansas farmers and entomologists worked to battle pests, 2021 was the “perfect storm” in the worst way.

“It’s from one end to the state to the other. All four directions. It’s bad everywhere,” said Lorenz in early summer. “They don’t call it fall armyworm for nothing. It usually strikes us late but this year, it started early. I’ve never seen so many fall armyworms. Anywhere you go there, everybody’s got fall armyworms.”

“In soybeans, yield losses from it vary,” said Ben Thrash, Extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture system. “A lot of times on late-planted stuff, it can range up to about 30% to 35% yield loss from defoliation on those small soybeans. Now you get later in the growing season in reproductive soybeans, and it can be a lot higher than even that.”

Ohio Farmers Faced with Unusual Battle

In early summer, Lorenz warned that the Midwest could face a similar outbreak, and that’s exactly what some areas saw. The infestation of fall armyworms was something farmers and entomologists in northern Ohio faced for the first time in their careers.

“We’ve never seen the fall armyworm really much at all before here in the fall,” Curtis Young, an entomologist and Ohio State University agricultural Extension educator for Van Wert County, Ohio, told U.S. Farm Report in early fall. “That’s what’s throwing everybody kind of for a loop.”

Since the area had never faced an armyworm problem, it was a pest they didn’t know to scout until it was too late.

“This is a 20-acre field, and they took it out in eight to 10 hours,” said Deshler, Ohio, farmer Nick Elchinger.

The Elchingers scouted an alfalfa field on Friday and saw no feeding. By Sunday, they said the entire field was gone.

“The armyworms just started along the edges of the field and then started to work their way in. And then this field, in particular, they started along the backside, and just within a matter of eight to 10 hours, they made their way across this whole field and wiped it out,” he said.

Young says by the time producers knew they had a problem on their hands, the caterpillars were too big for insecticides to effectively control.

“Suddenly, the caterpillars got large enough that they were stripping the foliage off of all kinds of plants in 24 to 48 hours,” said Young.

2021 was full of pest challenges as grasshoppers and armyworms robbed producers of crops and hay. It proved to be an unusual and costly year for pests. Now, producers are working to be prepared for pest issues in 2022.

USDA’s January Reports Reveal Hay Stocks Hit a 10-Year Low in December

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 21:25:11 GMT

Dry conditions in the West have plagued producers for months. And while some recent relief has come in the form of rain, a new USDA report shows just how dire the hay situation is for many livestock producers.

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says as a result, hay stocks are now the lowest we’ve seen since 2012/2013.

“So, in terms of coming off of the drought, you can see the impacts of that Western drought,” Meyer says. “Thankfully, it’s been raining in some areas there, but you can see the impacts of those Western drought, in a lot of different variables.”

Rains have relieved some issues in the West, but not near enough to scratch the surface and erase the severeness of a multi-year drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 95% of the West is still covered in drought. There are signs of improvement, as the Drought Monitor showed the area considered to be in D3, or Extreme Drought, in the West improved nearly 8 points in just a week.

USDA’s report also included final 2021 crop production numbers, which shows areas covered by drought also saw a reduction in feedgrain production. USDA compared 2021 yields to 2020, further evidence of how the drought weighed heavily on feed production this past year.

USDA’s largest year-over-year revisions came in South Dakota and North Dakota where USDA took another 24.5 bu. per acre off North Dakota’s state average yield for 2021. South Dakota saw its statewide yield cut by 16.7 bu. per acre year-over-year.

From corn to hay, Western livestock producers are faced with tight feed situations. It’s also causing some tough decisions to be made. Meyer says proof is in the latest cattle numbers showing a shrinking herd.

“I think what I’m going to be looking for is this cattle report coming up at the end of the month, where we’re we’re going to get ourselves a couple of views,” he says. “We talk about beef cattle and beef prices, and all these things being in the news an awful lot recently. So I think when I look forward to the cattle report, we’re going to look at how many animals are there available to be put on feed? How are producers in the West, and in general, responding to profitability? Also, what are we going to observe in terms of cow numbers and how many folks didn’t hold cattle over winter because of the concerns? We’re talking about being in in the contraction phase of the cattle cycle right now. So some of that is induced by Western drought. So I do think that these hay stocks have contributed to that.”

Tips to Reduce Hay-Drying Time, Produce Quality Forage

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 18:00:28 GMT

By Tracy Turner, Purdue University

CALDWELL, Ohio - While producers might find it challenging to get hay dry in early June due to changing weather conditions, there are steps they can take to get the crop up quickly and reduce the potential for rain damage, a forage expert with Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences says.

“Proper tedding, raking, and equipment care are just some of the steps producers can take to reduce drying time and produce high-quality hay,” said Clif Little, an educator with the college’s outreach arm, Ohio State University Extension.

Although drying time for hay is affected by forage species, environmental conditions, cut height and swath width, Little said a good management plan can make a big difference in hay quality.

“Cutting and drying hay quickly is always important, especially with everything being a little behind this year because of the planting season,” he said. “Feed prices are high, so anything producers can do to produce quality hay is a benefit.

“We’re fighting rain as well as other work we’ve got to do around the farm. But we still have to get hay up quickly because when we get rain on our forage it can be devastated or ruined. So using these steps may allow producers to get it up a day or two earlier.”

Little’s tips:

* Make sure hay-mowing equipment rollers are adjusted properly.

* Cut hay in the morning after the dew is off to help speed drying time and reduce the loss of carbohydrates due to respiration. Respiration is a natural process and continues until the plant dries to a moisture content of about 40 percent.

* Lay high-yielding forages in a wide swath to give better access to sun and wind.

* Use tedding to reduce drying time by spreading the hay. While tedding increases costs in terms of time and fuel, the increase is offset by a reduction in drying time.

* Ted hay shortly after cutting and when it contains no less than 50 percent moisture to reduce leaf shatter and forage loss.

* Rake hay at an optimal moisture content of 30 to 40 percent. Raking hay at the improper moisture content can contribute to loss of plant leaf material. Raking when the hay is ready to bale (very dry) can cause major leaf shatter and reduce the overall nutrient content of the forage.

* Bale hay at the proper moisture content based on the size and shape of bales to reduce harvest and storage loss. For most small rectangular and large round bales, the recommended baling moisture content is 18 percent. For high-density large rectangular bales, the range can be 12-14 percent moisture for proper storage.
* If storing hay outside, make sure you choose a location that is dry, preferably on a solid surface, such as rock, and make sure the location is high and open to wind.

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