Forage Farm Features
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farmers and ranchers gather to learn about soil

Can the soil save us?

September 27, 2015

Laura Nelson

The money may already be in the bank, just waiting to be cashed out. “Often, we’re sitting on a great big bank account we have no idea is there,” Nicole Masters says.

The triple-bottom-line approach

September 25, 2015

Kelli Boylen

Managing for the “triple bottom line” can lead to success on your operation, according to Joshua Dukart, a holistic management-certified educator operating out of Bismarck, North Dakota.

Veterans, boomers, Xers, Yers: Working across generations

September 25, 2015

Lynn Jaynes

Veterans (1922 – 1945)
vs. Boomers (1946 – 1960)

“My son is in his 60s, but I’m not sure he’s ready to take over the farm yet,” says the father, now in his 80s.

Decoding a forage test

September 1, 2015

Woody Lane

Some folks, I suppose, look at a forage test and see only a list of numbers. That’s kind of like looking at a map of Wyoming and seeing only a patchwork of roads.

The value of liming low-pH soils

September 1, 2015

Robert Fears

Low-pH soils can limit plant production in about half of the U.S. Soil pH is a measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. The pH scale ranges from zero to 14, with 7 as neutral. Numbers less than 7 indicate acidity while numbers greater than 7 indicate alkalinity.

Forage fall planning – Nag, nag, nag

September 1, 2015

Everett D. Thomas

I’ve been writing articles for farm publications such as Progressive Forage Grower for more than 40 years and sometimes feel like a parent nagging his kids about doing their household chores. Do this. Do that. And do it now. But reminders are useful – to farmers as well as children – so here are a few forage-oriented chores you should be considering as the crop season winds down.

Recycling silage plastic builds community, reduces waste

August 31, 2015

Maria F. McGinnis

In agriculture, public criticism seems to come with the territory these days. As a farmer, it’s easy to get defensive when your livelihood is misunderstood. But sometimes, criticism is legitimate and change is needed.

What is my hay worth?

July 15, 2015

Peter Callan

A most common question that is received at local extension offices during hay-making season begins with the phrase, “I just baled xx acres of a nice orchardgrass-fescue mix,” followed by the question, “What is my hay worth?”

Insights on hay pricing

July 15, 2015

Paul Peterson

Hay is one of the most complex and challenging commodities when it comes to pricing. Unlike other feedstuffs such as grains or byproducts, hay may come from various plant sources, each with a different feeding value.

Take control of net income by harvest time

July 15, 2015

Alex Foeller

Numbers. Nearly everybody hates them, but everybody needs them. This is becoming particularly true in a competitive agriculture industry where crop prices have steadily declined over the past few years.