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Breakthrough! A grazing shorthand – RG,2,45K

June 1, 2017

Woody Lane

The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines “breakthrough” as “a sudden advance, especially in knowledge or technique.” Here’s one that just happened in the world of grazing: RG,2,45K. Let’s talk.

Managing a forage said to be ‘too difficult to manage’

June 1, 2017

As I discuss the use of native grasses in forage programs, I often encounter folks who’ve heard native grasses aren’t a practical option because they are “too difficult to manage.” Native grasses like big bluestem, indiangrass and switchgrass are what we refer to as “tall-growing” and, like any tall grass, are more sensitive to overgrazing.

How silvopasture practices can serve you

June 1, 2017

Kelli Boylen

Silvopasture practices may require a little research, but they could help you get a break on your property taxes.

Montana custom farming operation fights pocket gophers, beats spoilage

June 1, 2017

Carrie Veselka

When Tryg Koch and his partner established Heritage Custom Farming in 2006, they had no land of their own and worked through their first season with nothing but a borrowed tractor.

Keeping score with RFV

June 1, 2017

Woody Lane

We all like scores: golf scores, bowling scores, limestone scores – single numbers that tell us volumes about complex situations. We use scores all the time. A bowling score of 300 is not just good; it’s a perfect game. A golf score of 300 is, well, not. Sometimes scores go by different names.

Don’t leave alfalfa quality in the field

June 1, 2017

Randy Welch

Improving forage quality continues to be a hot topic for dairy managers and nutritionists as they look for ways to support higher levels of herd production.

Bale wrapping: How late is too late?

June 1, 2017

Melissa Beck

When it comes to bale wrapping, there may be a little more wiggle room for putting up a quality product than once thought – according to research at the University of Arkansas and the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

Learning from 2016 to improve corn silage

May 31, 2017

Eugene Rodberg

When offering advice on dairy ration formulation, one of the phrases often mentioned is: “Test your forages.” Nutritionists seek to learn the nutrient composition in order to balance for energy, amino acids, fat and other nutrients.

Grass-finished beef graze Connecticut pastures

Grazing ‘tight and tall’

May 31, 2017

John Hibma

Pastures provide the opportunity for farmers to feed their animals economically with homegrown forage while, at the same time, reducing environmental pollution by improving both soil and water quality.

How often should you move your cattle?

April 28, 2017

Greg Halich

It seems that in the last decade many cattle farmers have steadily increased the intensity of cattle moves, some moving multiple times each day. While moving cattle more frequently is generally beneficial to pasture growth as well as increased utilization, it also comes with a cost.