In the last 75 to 100 years, we have seen cow size go from belt-buckle cattle to hat-brim cattle. Between 1975 and 2005, the average cow weight in the U.S. at slaughter increased from 1,050 to 1,350 pounds. Since 2005, cow size in the U.S. has probably pushed into the 1,400- to 1,500-pound range. 

Progressive Forage provides on update on drought conditions, prices, exports and more.DC

Selecting cattle that match the forage resources and environment of an operation is essential for long-term success. But how can producers identify and select animals that will maintain body condition throughout the grazing season?

Through the first half of 2024, it looked like the U.S. might be climbing out of the drought that has plagued big chunks of the country for the last half-decade. The El Nino the ag world had been waiting for was finally here. And then, it wasn’t.

Here’s Progressive Forage’s look at factors impacting hay producers and markets as a new year begins.

We took the opportunity to study the technology more closely and decide if there was potential for a positive return on investment should we choose to implement it on our farm.

North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University and Iowa State University are partnering with the USDA NRCS and developing technology to help curb weed growth. 

It’s hard to tolerate waste in agriculture. As such, it’s understandable that we might expect to minimize waste when grazing and cutting hay. That desire for extra forage can become quite pressing as we get into slumps in our forage programs.

Smaller producers often simply accept as fact that their production costs are going to be higher than their larger counterparts. However, there are ways to become more cost-effective and profitable.