Latest News From Hay

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

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.

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

As drought plagued the West and Plains in 2021, grasshoppers took over many pastures and crops, which demolished grasses and hayfields. In the South and Midwest, fall armyworms were a costly battle for farmers.

Derrell Peel: Hay Stocks Up From Last Year But Still Below Average
Derrell Peel: Hay Stocks Up From Last Year But Still Below Average

Weather challenges in 2019 led to many questions about the quantity and quality of hay production and supply heading into 2020.

Blister Beetle Blamed for Death of Wisconsin Horses
Blister Beetle Blamed for Death of Wisconsin Horses

Hay tainted by a toxic beetle is blamed for the deaths of at least 13 horses and illnesses to dozens of others on a Wisconsin ranch.

Endopyte Infected Fescue and Ergot is "Right on Schedule"
Endopyte Infected Fescue and Ergot is "Right on Schedule"

Dilution of fescue pastures by interseeding novel fescue is one way to solve the problem of toxic summer pastures.

Most of cattle country has had abundant to excessive moisture this year—as evident from my travels from Oklahoma to Montana.
Derrell Peel: Green Grass and High Water

Most of cattle country has had abundant to excessive moisture this year—as evident from my travels from Oklahoma to Montana.

Fescue pasture that has seeded out.
Regrowth Fescue Offers Potential Hay Baling Time for Beef Cow Herds

A long-delayed spring grass-growing season with frequent rains didn't give days for making hay. Regrowth season just ahead holds promise, says a University of Missouri forage specialist.

Hay Season is Coming Soon, Refresh Your Production Strategy

Hopefully, the first round of hay harvest only a few weeks away. Two free “Beef Tips” videos from Purdue Extension could help beef producers maximize the quality and quantity of their forage crops.

Hay Season is Coming Soon, Refresh Your Production Strategy
Hay Season is Coming Soon, Refresh Your Production Strategy

Hopefully, the first round of hay harvest only a few weeks away. Two free “Beef Tips” videos from Purdue Extension could help beef producers maximize the quality and quantity of their forage crops.

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields
Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields

Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields.

How Much Hay Will a Cow Consume?
How Much Hay Will a Cow Consume?

Estimating forage usage by cows is an important part of the task of calculating winter feed needs. Hay or standing forage intake must be estimated in order to make the calculations.

How Much Hay Do You Really Need This Winter?

Don’t get caught by higher hay prices later this winter—be as accurate with your hay needs as you can now while you still have time to adjust your feeding plans.

Don’t get caught by higher hay prices later this winter—be as accurate with your hay needs as you can now while you still have time to adjust your feeding plans.
How Much Hay Do You Really Need This Winter?

Don’t get caught by higher hay prices later this winter—be as accurate with your hay needs as you can now while you still have time to adjust your feeding plans.

Poll: Weaning Strategies | Producers Searching For Additional Hay

While some cattlemen have already started weaning spring-calving herds, October and November are prime times for feeder cattle marketing decisions. What is your weaning strategy this year?

What is your weaning strategy this year?
Poll: Weaning Strategies | Producers Searching For Additional Hay

While some cattlemen have already started weaning spring-calving herds, October and November are prime times for feeder cattle marketing decisions. What is your weaning strategy this year?

With Hay Quality Lacking, Determine Your Supplementation Needs
With Hay Quality Lacking, Determine Your Supplementation Needs

For some producers, a number of factors came together to create the perfect storm that led to significantly lowered forage quality.

For the world’s sixth-largest beef exporter, dry conditions are worsening in the heart of Canada's cattle country, scorching pastures and sending feed costs soaring.
Canada Hay Costs Double

Drought conditions in Canada are pushing ranchers to reduce their herds as feed costs soar.

Warmer than normal temperatures dominated the Midwest last week, and despite some thunderstorm in the High Plains, drought conditions have intensified.
Despite Rain Drought Intensifies, Forces Early Culling and Hay Feeding

Warmer than normal temperatures dominated the Midwest last week, and despite some thunderstorm in the High Plains, drought conditions have intensified. Cattlemen are culling herds and dipping into hay supplies.

Emergency Forages: Sudangrass, Sorghum and Hybrids
Emergency Forages: Sudangrass, Sorghum and Hybrids

Several options exist for producers to make up for forage lost to severe spring weather.

<p>Sampling forage with hay probe.</p>
Hay Moisture Levels

With the limited opportunities and short windows many have had to make hay so far this year, some hay may have been made at higher moisture levels than we would like

Adequate supplies of used farm equipment means good deals can be found.
Haying Pastures Likely Not the Cure for Depleted Forage Supplies

When the weather is right and hay fields are mowed there will be many farmers looking over the fence at pastures as an opportunity to make more bales.

In The Cattle Markets: Initial Hay and Pasture Data Don’t Look Good
In The Cattle Markets: Initial Hay and Pasture Data Don’t Look Good

The recently-released hay and pasture conditions report doesn’t look particularly good for producers across most of the country.

To maximize hay forage quality, grass hay needs to be swathed by the end of the boot stage before the seed starts to emerge from the leaf sheath.
Hay Harvest Considerations

Forage maturity is the biggest driver of nutritional quality.

Drought, prolonged cold weather, and the resulting lengthen winter grazing season, all contributed to a slow green-up in the Midwest this year.
Slow Pastures? Delay Fertilizer Application Until After First Cutting

Drought, prolonged cold weather, and the resulting lengthen winter grazing season, all contributed to a slow green-up in the Midwest this year. University of Missouri's Craig Roberts says focus on the second hay cutting.

When Do I Feed the Good Hay?
When Do I Feed the Good Hay?

As the cow continues through late gestation, be mindful of her increasing nutrient needs and manage your hay supplies accordingly. There are two take home messages here, Radunz says.

Terry, left, DenaMarie and Wayne Springer are pushing toward open-pollinating corn and direct-to-consumer beef.
Wayne Springer is Tired of Paying $300 for Traited Corn Seed

Wayne Springer is tired of paying $300 for a bag of traited corn seed. Unafraid to change horses in midstream, the 60-year-old producer is transitioning from a row crop farm to a ranching operation.

Drought Strips N. D. of Hay, Producers Hauling From Miles Away
Drought Strips N. D. of Hay, Producers Hauling From Miles Away

Farmers in the Northern Plains have been struggling with drought, making it difficult and expensive to scrounge up enough feed for their livestock to last through the winter.

Wildfire Donated Hay
Minnesota Company Sends Hay Convoy to South Dakota

Minnesota company, Plains farm aid group set up hay convoy

reduced forage due to drought in North Dakota
Historic Drought Hammers Dakotas, Montana

Loss and risk are an assumption in farming; devastation is not. Crops in the Dakotas and Montana are baking on an anvil of severe drought and extreme heat, as growers and ranchers make difficult decisions regarding cattle, corn and wheat.

Hay
Is 50% of North Dakota's CRP Acres Enough for Cattle Producers?

Farmers in the northern Plains are well aware of the dry conditions, and now they have to resort to drastic measures in order to deal with eroding conditions that are destroying crops and pastures.

reduced forage due to drought in North Dakota
Producers in the Dakotas Continue Liquidation Due to Drought

Already short on hay and forage after a hard winter, ranchers in North and South Dakota are continuing to reduce herds in response to severe drought conditions.

reduced forage due to drought in North Dakota
Failing to Plan for Drought is Planning to Fail

Due to dry conditions, livestock producers should expect to see a reduction in grazeable forage. Drought&nbsp;management plans will be vital if the drought continues into the growing season.

use of silvopasture
Made in the Shade: Research Focuses on Combining Forestry and Forage

Silvopasture &ndash; the practice of combining forestry with forage and livestock production &ndash; is rare in North America, but the practice could bring both economic and environmental benefits on marginal lands where traditional row cropping hasn&rsquo;t worked.

Wildfire destruction
Kansas, Oklahoma Ranchers Focus on Restarting Wildfire-Damaged Pasture

Ranchers in Kansas and Oklahoma learned more about how grasslands recover after wildfire in a joint educational seminar hosted by Extension personnel from Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University, at Snake Creek Ranch, on the state border. According to Extension sources, plentiful precipitation will be the greatest help in getting grass regrowing.

Fires ripped across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas last week, leaving destruction in their path.
Some High Plains Farmers Struggling After Fires, Drought

Deep snow is melting into western mountain streams, but some farmers and ranchers on the high plains are struggling amid a lengthy dry spell and the aftermath of destructive wildfires.

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USDA Allows Livestock Grazing on CRP in 4 Nebraska Counties

Drought has led officials to allow emergency haying and grazing on conservation land in four south-central Nebraska counties.

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Benefits Of Diversity In Perennial Pastures For Soil Health And Forage Production

A long-term grazing study shows the advantage of a diversified mix of pasture plant species.

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Winter Small Grains or Spring Small Grains: Which Should I Plant?

Using small grains as a dependable forage source will depend on several factors, including production potential, season of production, and winterhardiness.&nbsp;

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Smooth Bromegrass Grazing Management

Smooth bromegrass is a cool-season introduced grass with an advanced root system that tolerates temperature extremes and drought exceptionally well.&nbsp;

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Multiflora Rose Control in Pastures

The spread of multiflora rose in Pennsylvania has caused it to be designated as a noxious weed. Multiflora rose can be controlled but it takes considerable effort.

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Problem Pasture Weeds

Tips for controlling thistles, multiflora rose, and other troublesome pasture weeds.

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More Grazing Dishes for the Summer Salad Bar

We&rsquo;ve heard &ldquo;North Florida can grow forage 365 days a year!&rdquo; for ages, and that&rsquo;s true. However, those of us who&rsquo;ve carried livestock through more than one winter with our own money, or worse, a bank&rsquo;s money, know that it&rsquo;s just not that simple.&nbsp;

Pasture
Harvesting Sunlight

Improving the amount of green leaves capturing sunlight begins with proper stocking rates.

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Summer Turns up Heat for Ranchers to Aggressively Manage Fescue

When summer turns the heat up, ranchers in the fescue belt need to manage pastures more aggressively.&nbsp;

rye
Oregon Grass Seed Harvest Ramps up with Good Weather

After having to throttle down for more than a week due to periods of pounding rainfall and spotty hail, mid-Willamette Valley farmers put combines back to work in area grass seed fields over the weekend.

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Be Careful Baling Pastures

While everyone should have some hay on hand for emergency feeding, baling pastures may not be the best option.

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Summer Pasture Rental Rates on a Price per Ton Basis Consumed by the Cow-calf Pair

Current market prices for harvested feed are competitive in many cases with pasture rental rates when compared on a price per ton basis.&nbsp;

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Should I Plant Summer Annual Forage Grasses?

It&rsquo;s never too early to be focused on the next potential forage stressor &ndash; Summer.

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Forage Harvest Guidelines

The first principle that needs to be understood is forage maturity determines forage quality, explains Rory Lewandowski, Ohio State University Extension.&nbsp;

Old_World_Bluestem
Old World Bluestem, Real World Concerns

Another way to manage old world bluestem using glyphosate is by doing a one-time application of 2-3 pounds per acre once the plant begins early heading.