Latest News From ROW CROPS

BT_Arkansas_Cattle_Cow_Calf
Grass Tetany Likely to be Seen Throughout Spring Season Due to Rain, Cool Temps

Although the disease known as grass tetany typically peters out by April, Arkansas cattle ranchers should keep an eye out for the disease well into the late spring months this year, due to heavy rains and cool temperature trends in the region.

Analyzing Summer Grazing Strategies

Understanding and implementing grazing strategies can help maximize producers’ economic return.

Alfalfa_Weevil
Scout Weekly for Alfalfa Weevils

Scout alfalfa now for alfalfa weevils, says a University of Missouri Extension entomologist.

BT_Cows_Summer_Grazing
Beef Cattle Producers Advised to get Grazing Leases in Writing

Do you lease pasture for grazing? If so you better have the agreement in writing.

Kentucky_Grazing_School
Kentucky Grazing School Coming Soon

Registration is open for one of the University of Kentucky’s most anticipated grazing education events of the year.

grassfed2
Get to Know Nitrate Toxicity

Cattle are built to graze, but irregular weather can change the way plants grow leading to deadly situations.

BT_Nebraska_Cows_on_Pasture
Managing for Variation in Forage Production with Trigger Dates and Stocking Rates

Warm, dry conditions in the month of March have dried out the top soil in many parts of central and western Nebraska.

Alfalfa_Weeds
Dormant Spray For Alfalfa Weeds

Timing is crucial when controlling winter annual weeds in alfalfa.

Anticipating Grasshopper Impact for the Grazing Season
Anticipating Grasshopper Impact for the Grazing Season

When grasshopper populations reach high densities, the resulting impact on pasture vegetation can be devastating.

Bermuda_grass
Thirty-year Study Looks at Bermuda Grass Sustainability without Fertilizer

Bermuda grass pasture stands can be very sustainable without nitrogen.

Forage_turnip_II_on_Chippewa_Co_clay_soil_Aug_2_2014_photo_J_Isleib
Planting Cover Crops to Improve Clay Soil Quality Used for Pasturing Livestock

How can cover crops and annual forage crops be included in pasture re-establishment on clay soils? Should they be?

Missouri_Cattle_GPS
Missouri: Christian County Livestock and Forage Conference April 7

This long-running educational event, organized by the University of Missouri Extension, provides area residents with a wealth of research-based agriculture information.

Alfalfa-production-in-North-Florida
Best Ways to Establish Spring Forage

With planting season approaching, farmers planning to grow forage should keep in mind six major considerations that could determine the success of their crop, a Purdue Extension specialist says.

Converting_Cropland_Back_to_Grass_Pastures
Conventional Seedbeds for Native Grass Establishment

When using a conventional seedbed, there are several important steps you should follow.

It's All About the Leaves

It won’t be long before pastures across the country will begin to grow and be extremely productive.

Intermediate_wheatgrass
Tips to Maximize Forage Yields When Establishing Perennial Forages

To maximize forage production in the year that you are establishing perennial forage consider these management strategies.

tetanystorygrazephoto
Grass Tetany Prevention

As pastures and small grain fields begin to green up, and livestock owners make plans to begin early spring grazing passes, keep in mind the risk of grass tetany.

BT_Trees_Cattle_Florida_Slivopasture
Converting Planted Pine to Silvopasture Benefits Cattle and Timber

Silvopasture is an agricultural practice co-managing trees, forage, and livestock.

South_Dakota_Alfalfa
Alfalfa Production and Pest Management in South Dakota

Long term alfalfa productivity depends on successful stand establishment.

Toxic Fescue Hard to Kill to Reseed Pasture

"Say 'goodbye' to profit-robbing toxic fescue" is the theme of four schools to start March 30 across Missouri.

Things to Consider when Evaluating Whether or Not to Fertilize Cool Season Grass Pastures

Spring is right around the corner and many producers with cool season grass pastures.

Old Recommendations Can Still Be Good Recommendations

Sometimes old tricks of the trade can still be relevant, especially for managing hay and pasture.

Time to Replace Toxic Fescue, When Beef Prices are Good

Good beef prices give herd owners a chance to upgrade pastures to remove toxic fescue.

Burning-Hayfield
Using Prescribed Fire for Managing Native Grass Forages

Prescribed burning is widely used to manage native grass pastures in the Great Plains and Midwest.

bermudagrass2 small
When it’s Cold, Think about Managing Weeds in Warm-season Pastures

Late February/early March time to think about weed control in bermudagrass by staying on top of two prolific weeds: henbit and buttercup,.

BeefTalk: Feel Good by Feeding Some Alfalfa

Adding some alfalfa hay to a low-quality feed base will make supplementing the ration easier.

BT_Calves_Grazing_Cover_Crop_Millet
Study Shows No Damage to Soils from Grazing of Cover Crops

Contrary to conventional wisdom, grazing low numbers of cattle on cover crops does not compact the soil or cut down on the organic matter added, according to new ARS research.

Pro-Farmer-tile2
Soybeans and Cattle Post Corrective Rallies

By week's end, soybean futures were tuned into ongoing strong export demand and cattle traders were looking for higher cash trade.

Pro-Farmer-tile2
February Brings Renewal of Buying to Grain Markets

The flip of the calendar to February brought much-needed short-covering to begin a seasonal uptick in prices.

BT_Corn_Stalks
Row Crop Herbicides Can Limit the Use of Row-crop Ground for Forage Production

Those that rent ground for residue or cover crop grazing should talk with the grower to be sure that the herbicides applied allow use of the forage for feed.

DSCN3535-300x225
“Unless you Test, It’s Just a Guess!” Focus on Forage Testing

Forage quality is one of the most influential factors in livestock production.

Burning-Hayfield
Winter Burns Benefit Bermudagrass Hay Fields

Now is an excellent time to begin planning controlled burns of bermudagrass hay fields in north Florida.

Cows-eating-hay-in-snow-300w
Winter Tetany in Beef Cattle

Grass tetany is considered a problem that usually occurs when cattle or sheep are eating lush, spring grass or annual cereal forages such as rye, wheat or triticale; but, it can also occur when cattle are being fed harvested forages.

pivot irrigation
Perennial Grass Irrigated Pasture

With a strong demand for pasture and low grain prices, there has been a renewed interest in the use of irrigated pasture.

broomsedge
Pasture Soil Fertility Essential to Prevent Broomsedge Infestations

Broomsedge bluestem goes by many common names; broom grass, broom sage, sage brush, etc. No matter the name it is a sign of poor soil fertility.

Converting_Cropland_Back_to_Grass_Pastures
Converting Cropland Back to Grass Pastures

Decreased corn prices and increased cattle prices have stimulated interest in converting cropland back into grass pastures.

Testing Livestock Forage and Feed Samples Colder Weather Animal Care

Colder weather means livestock need more energy to be able to withstand harsh winter conditions outdoors.

cattle_on_cornstalks
Use Caution When Turning Cattle Out on Corn Stover

Grain overload can occur in cattle with unlimited access of grains.

FJ_062_F15032
Forage Cocktails to the Rescue

Warm-season annuals offer high-quality grazing during summer pasture slump

Yucca_Plant_Calves__Native_Pasture
Reducing Yucca in Rangeland

Yucca plants develop rapidly once established on drier rangeland sites.

Cost Share for Establishing Native Grass Forages

Are you interested in planting native grass? You may want to look at cost share programs.

Redclover_covercrop
Management of Red Clover as a Cover Crop

Consider the following management tips for red clover, one of the most widely used cover crops.

Redclover_covercrop
Benefits of Using Red Clover as a Cover Crop

There are many benefits to using red clover as a cover crop, including nitrogen production, serving as a weed suppressor and being widely adaptable.

Cattle Grazing Crimson Ball Clover
How to Choose Your Next Cover Crop

Need some help making a decision on which clover you should use as a cover crop?

Pro-Farmer-tile2
Grain Markets Absorb Flurry of News Events

The grain markets were given a lot of news to digest this week and livestock markets were highly volatile.

DSC_6636
Forage Producers Discuss Nutrition at Annual Meeting

Forage producers discussed the benefits of different forage systems and human nutrition at the Louisiana Forage and Grass Council’s annual conference on Dec. 5.

France Seeks to Wean Cows Off Soybeans as China Dominates Demand

France will pay farmers to grow faba beans and other crops that can add protein to livestock rations as Europe’s largest beef producer seeks to cut its dependence on imported soybeans, where China’s rising demand threatens supply.

teff_grass
Teff Grass is Working in Hay Crop Rotations

Teff Grass is gaining in popularity as an alternative forage crop in Michigan.

Santa-Rosa-Rye
Managing Winter Pastures

Because winter nutrition is vital to both the calf’s health and the cows reproductive performance, adequate nutrition is essential.

Bearden-pasture-fertilization
Fertilizer Basics for Pastures and Hay Fields

Properly fertilizing pasture and hay fields often comes down to the 4 Rs.