“Weevils and aphids rank among the biggest pests we face on a regular basis.

We spend quite a bit of time monitoring for these problems and then spray when they reach a certain point.

There are many critical times affecting final yield in the life of a corn plant. However, there is none more important than establishing an optimum stand.

Agriculture conferences are great places to get valuable information, meet new people in the farming community, and receive some inspiration. This year, as always, the 18th annual Wisconsin Grazing Conference, delivered on all fronts.

For Tyler and Randy Brown of Gillespie, Illinois, becoming the local suppliers of quality alfalfa hay for several of the area’s dairies has been a successful ride that neither one anticipated.

Growing concern over a worsening world water crisis has brought even greater scrutiny to production agriculture’s thirst for water. That’s no surprise since agriculture consumes about 75 percent of the world’s water supply, according to estimates by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Wrapping hay, whether it’s thoroughly dried or is being used for balage, is becoming a fairly common forage production practice.

The Idaho Hay and Forage Convention was held February 16 and 17, 2010 at the Best Western Inn in Burley, Idaho.