February 1, 2025

February 1, 2025 Progressive Forage digital magazine

January 31, 2025

The latest issue of Progressive Forage magazine is available. To view, make sure you're logged into your agproud.com account. If you do not have access, click "Subscribe" in the top-right corner of agproud.com to add permission to view.

February 2025 new product rollout

January 31, 2025

This month's new product rollout features products from AyrMesh, Mecalac and Attune Agriculture.

Export market dynamics: Good, to difficult, to different

January 27, 2025

Carrie Veselka

“The market sometimes, or at least now, feels like we've gone from good, to difficult, to different. And I think one of the most significant things about the current hay market right now is that things are very different,” market analyst and hay exporter Scott Courtright told attendees at the California Alfalfa and Forage Symposium.

The status of Western hay markets

January 27, 2025

Carrie Veselka

Josh Callen, market analyst and publisher of The Hoyt Report, gave attendees at the California Alfalfa and Forage Symposium an update on hay markets in the western U.S.

Forage Market Insights: Moisture conditions improving to start 2025

Large supplies and moderate to weaker demand continued to put pressure on hay markets.

January 9, 2025

Dave Natzke

Here’s Progressive Forage’s look at factors impacting hay producers and markets as a new year gets underway.

American Relief Act includes farm bill extension, disaster relief funding

January 8, 2025

Tyrell Marchant

The federal government narrowly avoided a shutdown in the wee hours of Dec. 21, 2024, when the American Relief Act of 2025 was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Importantly for the agriculture industry, the act also includes a second extension of the 2018 Farm Bill and $2.5 billion in additional aid that will be distributed through the USDA.

The buffet of sustainability

Consider both operational profits and environmental stewardship and try to incorporate both as you develop the sustainability of your operation.

January 15, 2025

Scott Fleming

Sustainability can go in many directions, but there’s a sense that all the directions eventually lead to the same destination. As we ring in yet another new year, it seems like an appropriate time to map out the buffet of sustainability. So grab a fresh plate and get in the line as we review the options.

Fertilizer prices stabilize in 2024, but uncertainty continues

Fertilizer prices stabilized in 2024 after steep declines in 2023 but remained higher than pre-pandemic levels, influenced by global supply, demand and geopolitical factors.

December 23, 2024

Xiaoli Etienne and Qi Zhang

Following the historical high prices of 2021 and 2022, fertilizer prices significantly declined in 2023 as supply chain disruptions eased. This trend largely continued into 2024. While prices have stabilized, they remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Are you setting clear expectations? (Your succession plan depends on it!)

Setting clear expectations is very important to keep everyone on track and to avoid situations that can derail the team and may end up affecting your succession plan.

January 20, 2025

Rena Striegel

Never underestimate the power of establishing clear expectations and accountability. It may take a little extra time in the beginning, but it will save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run.

Innovative alfalfa genetics and management strategies for drought resilience

New genetic improvements in alfalfa, along with innovative crop and water management techniques, help mitigate drought impacts, improve yield efficiency and maintain profitability during water shortages.

December 16, 2024

Donald Miller

Drought stress is one of the most significant limiting factors in crop production worldwide, and alfalfa is no exception. Dealing with droughts and water shortages can be challenging. However, there are some new tools available to alfalfa producers to help mitigate yield and profit losses.

Dairy delight: How a Wisconsin farm improved forage quality and milking productivity

Carefully selecting an alfalfa variety that helps improve several aspects of an individual operation is key to overall improved quality, yield and flexibility, as demonstrated at Scheps Dairy.

January 17, 2025

Parker Heise

Scheps Dairy, located in northwest Wisconsin, is an example of how alfalfa can strategically enhance operations by supporting forage quality, yield and flexibility for dairy farmers.

Leave the stubble, keep the stand

January 16, 2025

Jonathan Kubesch

It’s hard to tolerate waste in agriculture. As such, it’s understandable that we might expect to minimize waste when grazing and cutting hay. That desire for extra forage can become quite pressing as we get into slumps in our forage programs.

Top 5 ag tech trends for 2025: What’s next for regenerative agriculture?

Looking forward to 2025, ag tech promises to deliver scalable solutions to pressing challenges such as resource scarcity, climate change impacts and food system resilience.

January 21, 2025

Ron Baruchi

Reflecting on 2024’s progress, Ron Baruchi, CEO of Agmatix, explores how these advancements shape the future of global agricultural innovation, turning potential into practical, impactful change.

CIG partners develop 3D technology to help farmers with weed suppression

Through a conservation innovation grant, NRCS partners are using 3D imagery to map cover crops and weeds with precision, helping farmers make informed decisions on how to control resistant weeds on their operations.

January 18, 2025

North Carolina State University, Texas A&M University and Iowa State University are partnering with the USDA NRCS and developing technology to help curb weed growth.

Investing in the environment: G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company

The Gardner family in northwestern Montana has thrived by embracing the role of “grass farmer” to enhance their cattle business.

January 27, 2025

Heather Smith Thomas

Greg and Lynn Gardner purchased the ranch in 1990. Today, along with their daughter Brittany and her husband, Wacey Cathey, they manage a cow-calf business on approximately 28,500 acres, which includes their deeded land along with neighboring private, state and tribal leases.

Irons in the Fire: Water and light

January 28, 2025

Paul Marchant

Under most circumstances, I generally consider myself to be fairly decent, if not entertaining, company. I do, however, have my little quirks and idiosyncrasies, that, if I’m being completely objective, could possibly be construed as minor annoyances.

Equipment Hub: Eco-friendly and modular designs lead innovations in planting equipment

January 23, 2025

The planting machinery market is advancing in precision farming, automation and sustainable technologies, driven by the need for efficiency and environmental consciousness.

Tales of a Hay Hauler: The Parma years

January 29, 2025

Brad Nelson

It was 300 miles, roughly, from where I started first grade to where I finished first grade. Dad had bought a farm near Parma, Idaho. The last trip in the 1951 Ford F-6 truck brought the milking portion of the livestock, and we were officially moved.

When the world buys the land next to you

January 30, 2025

David Cooper

By the time you get this issue, a new administration will be in office – or back in office, as is the case with Donald Trump’s return to Washington, D.C. But the new standard is expected to be like the old, meaning a bold return to the days of protectionism.

Our Publications

Progressive Forage

Digital edition

February 1, 2025 Progressive Forage digital magazine

News & business

February 2025 new product rollout

Export market dynamics: Good, to difficult, to different

The status of Western hay markets

Forage Market Insights: Moisture conditions improving to start 2025

American Relief Act includes farm bill extension, disaster relief funding

Management

The buffet of sustainability

Fertilizer prices stabilize in 2024, but uncertainty continues

Are you setting clear expectations? (Your succession plan depends on it!)

Topic articles

Innovative alfalfa genetics and management strategies for drought resilience

Dairy delight: How a Wisconsin farm improved forage quality and milking productivity

Leave the stubble, keep the stand

Top 5 ag tech trends for 2025: What’s next for regenerative agriculture?

CIG partners develop 3D technology to help farmers with weed suppression

Investing in the environment: G&G Livestock and Cathey Cattle Company

Departments

Irons in the Fire: Water and light

Equipment Hub: Eco-friendly and modular designs lead innovations in planting equipment

Tales of a Hay Hauler: The Parma years

When the world buys the land next to you

La laiterie : Du cheddar tu ne voleras point

Finding, writing and applying for grants for your ranch

InFocus: 2024 per capita milk production

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