On the first day in soil science class, we teach that soil is definitely not the same as dirt. Dirt has no value. That’s why your momma fussed at you about tracking it in her house. But soil has value.

Every spring, there is a chorus of calls and emails asking, “When is the best time to put nitrogen (N) on tall fescue?” The answer that I usually give is, “Probably about five months ago.”

The fear of frothy bloat has stopped many livestock producers from integrating alfalfa, clover or other high-bloat-risk species into their forage systems. Most livestock producers fear seeing one of their animals with a distended left side, struggling to breathe.

Imagine a contest at a local livestock show where attendees are asked to guess the weight of the prize-winning animal. Nearly everyone will fail to get it precisely right. But what if you averaged everyone’s answers?

Let me suggest an experiment you can do at home: On July 4, dive deep in the closet to pull out your heavy winter coat and wear it on a leisurely stroll across your pasture. If you don’t feel the urge to spend the rest of the day cooling off in the nearest water trough or creek, you probably are in the early stages of heat stroke and should call 911.