Soybeans can be harvested as a hay or silage crop. Soybean forage, similar to most legumes, tends to be high in protein and low in fiber (relative to grasses), making soybeans an excellent forage if harvested properly.

Forage quality is of paramount importance to modern dairy operations where efficient production of home-grown forages drives profitability. With the price of alfalfa hay on the rise, and availability decreasing, a focus on producing and feeding quality over quantity has been a primary factor for producers looking to make milk versus “buying it.”

Antibiotic resistance has become a nightmare situation that requires urgent attention; according to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 3 million cases of antibiotic-resistant pathogens are reported each year, leading to 35,000 deaths in the U.S.

Challenging growing conditions have created potential shortages in silage stocks over the past few years, which has sparked interest in putting up alternative silage crops, some more creative than others.

What are your goals and objectives of producing cover crops? That is typically the first question I ask farmers when they start asking or talking about cover crops.