Latest News From Hay

As the weeks continue to pass without any significant rain in the Midwest, it is getting increasingly difficult to find feed for livestock.

Though it’s possible some Texas producers could ship hay north, it might not happen for a number of reasons.

Dry conditions continue to challenge farmers and their ability to keep forages growing and productive.

With the mild winter, experts say, pastures and fields are likely to be bustling with young grasshoppers (nymphs).

Restocking may be an option for some, but rainfall and other factors will weigh heavily into the decision-making process.

Officially it's still spring, but the Western half of the U.S. continues to struggle with drier weather, which is spreading into the Plains.

Feeding hay to cattle throughout the winter is a longstanding practice for many, but there are ways to reduce hay needs.

Cattle production shifts back to a forage-based feed system.

With ramifications of the drought in the Southern Plains still being felt, producers should take precautions for forage production in 2012.

Cattle feeders will keep looking for heavier weight cattle to place into feedyards.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Team offers some insight and research the get the most from this type of grazing crop residue.

Extreme weather conditions could sprout weed problems this spring.

Some fall rains making it appear as though some drought-weakened pasture resources are healthier than they might be.

New Mexico State University researchers investigate targeted grazing strategies to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

There are indications that the worst of the 2011 drought-forced movements of cattle may be slowing down.

Summer annual grasses should be temporary solutions to forage needs

There are many advantages to be gained by cooperatively feeding and marketing cattle.

Hay loss and feed waste are inevitable components of most beef production systems.

Lower beef production likely will keep calf prices high through at least 2015.

As hay prices continue to rise, many Midwest cattle producers are searching for cheaper alternatives to winter feeding.

Cattle and sheep are more susceptible to prussic acid poisoning than swine.

Researchers found that using a cone-style feeder or modified cone feeder with a sheeted bottom reduced hay waste.

Careful management early in a drought minimizes long-term stand damage.

Drought in Oklahoma and Texas is forcing more cattle on feed, and that will impact inventory numbers in January.

Eight percent of respondents indicate they will no longer own cattle in 2012, though this is only a temporary measure.

The drought losses have reached record levels mainly due to farmers failing to cash in crops during times of high commodity prices.

Nebraska Cattlemen is encouraging those with equipment and time to make more hay available, including grass in ditches.

Optimal forage production for either grazing or haying is rooted in some basic fundamentals.

The changes extend the emergency grazing period and allow feeding of hay from expiring CRP acreage.

It appears that following 2006, we entered a new climate pattern, one with warmer and drier weather in the South.

While 26% of the beef herd resides in severe drought areas, states in good shape are trying to help those in drought areas.

Pasture conditions continue to decline, making it likely that much of the hay required for winter feeding of livestock will be imported from outside sources.

Pastures and forages across the Eastern Corn Belt suffered yield and nutrient loss due to wet spring weather.

USDA has designated 213 counties in Texas as disaster areas after one of the worst droughts in more than a century.

After a wet spring and delayed hay harvest in some areas, it is important for beef producers to store hay properly to reduce nutrient loss

Deeper culling of cowherds is not just a possibility but reality in some states.

With the ongoing drought, livestock producers throughout the state continued to cull herds or liquidate them entirely.

There is little research on tornadoes impacting beef production, but there are several concerns that should be addressed.

In some parts of the country hay fields are suffering because of the excessive moisture and cooler-than-normal temperatures have also impacted growth.

There are three primary factors that explain much of the variability in average rental rates over time.

There are a number of challenges facing forage growers this year but high prices offer opportunity for some.

Of all the factors affecting hay quality, stage of maturity when harvested is the most important and the one in which greatest progress can be made.

With expected higher prices for inputs, have a plan to get the most out of your fertilizer dollars for pastures.

Escalating unrest in the Middle East is not only going to continue to drive fuel prices up, there’s also a good chance it will do the same to the costs of fertilizing pastures

With rising feed costs, it’s more important than ever to maximize grazing and improve forage quality to provide optimal nutrition for cattle.

The program follows basic concepts that are backed up by both science and farmer experience and have been put into practice by successful producers here and abroad.

Smaller horsepower requirements for balers add options.

For less than $7 per forage sample tested, cow-calf producers may be able to stave off a variety of potential problems in their cowherd.