“My cows have wintered hard this year” is a common complaint heard among many groups of farmers. The cold that fell over many parts of the U.S. this winter was hard on livestock but may have been hard on pastures and hay fields as well. Temperatures dropped to single-digit levels and even below zero in some areas.

If we take the time to check over our harvesters and properly adjust the various parts of the machines, we can save both time and money.

Forage yield in 2010 was generally average or above average across the Midwest. Good rain occurred over the entire growing season which elevated hay and pasture yield.

Dairies in the six western states of California, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah and Arizona produce around 38 percent of the U.S. milk supply. Dairies in these states consume approximately 65 percent of the alfalfa hay produced in the seven western states.