In the last decade, there has been a trend toward adding straw to nutritional programs as a strategy to manage energy density, increase rumen fill, slow the rate of passage of feed from the rumen or increase the level of effective fibre for enhanced rumination.

Healthy roots, stems and leaves lead to higher alfalfa yield potential. Aboveground, stems and leaves produce and transport plant energy to make valuable forage.

The winter months are a good time to consider feedstuff production and management plans for the upcoming year. Cattle feeders with integrated crop-livestock systems have the flexibility to produce the feeds that best fit their operation.

Fertilizer prices have gone up tremendously recently. Anhydrous nitrogen is $1,250 to $1,400 per ton as of Dec. 1, 2021, and many dealers are not taking orders for spring, expecting the price to increase even further.