The U.S. farming sector has exhibited very strong financial performance during the past five to seven years in terms of income generation, cash flow and debt servicing capacity, and equity accumulation, but that strong performance has been accompanied by increased volatility.

Federal policies regarding invasive species, conservation plantings and cost-share farm programs have generated strong enthusiasm in converting old pastures and hay ground into rotational grazing systems comprised of native grasses.

Native grasses are a forage option receiving increased attention in recent years. They provide high yields of high-quality forage with few inputs and show remarkable drought tolerance, making these perennial summer grasses of interest to forage growers.

Carlos Griffin ranches in the Piney Woods area of eastern Texas on land that has been in the family several generations. “This area grew a lot of cotton and corn in the early days.

There are times when seed buyers simply buy the “old standby.” They’ve grown it for years; their livestock manages just fine and buyers seem satisfied. So why fix what isn’t broken? Don’t rock the boat.

“It’s hard to find any help that isn’t as confused as we are.”

For Mark Davies, the middle-generation son in this farming family, it was a dubious beginning for what should have been a major step on the road to a more certain future.

Spoilage micro-organisms (yeasts, molds and aerobic bacteria), cause the biggest and most variable loss from silage during storage and feedout. Spoilage micro-organisms need oxygen to do their dirty work.