Just when hay stocks are at a low, and haylage inventories are dwindling at the end of another season, Mother Nature is giving us a gift in the form of an early spring. Throughout much of the country most hay is three to four weeks ahead of normal.

Reading labels isn’t just important when you’re watching your diet.

Knowing how to read your alfalfa seed tag also can reap big dividends, not only in managing seed costs but also to ensure you have a strong stand.

If you’re deciding to plant a single-species blend forage product, you should weigh price against the need for a pure-line variety with known traits and performance levels. You should also compare seed purity and quality.