Weather

Assessing the 2025 growing season while anticipating the 2026 outlook

marian@agproud.com — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The 2025 growing season saw drought recede in the west, only to emerge east of the Mississippi, setting up an uncertain 2026 outlook as producers brace for shifting moisture patterns.

To catch a soil thief

dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Winter strikes the Midwest with winds that strip soil from dormant fields, stealing nutrients and hard-earned investment. Learn how to thwart this soil thief with carefully placed windbreaks.

Estimating summer pasture yields after sluggish April, wet May – June heat wave?

bravomelissa@yahoo.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

How are you going to assess pasture conditions going forward?

Embracing failing wheat acres

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

With winter approaching, it may be hard to watch the weather destroy your winter wheat crop. Fortunately, being prepared and having a backup plan may save your sanity.

Managing the unknowns for forage safety

katie_raver@rockriverlab.com — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 14:46:41 -0500

Drought is not often associated with catastrophic damage such as water; however, it can have catastrophic impacts – especially for animal feeding operations.

Climate change and alfalfa production

al.rotz@usda.gov — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:47:01 -0500

By preparing for the future, steps can be taken to adapt to the changing climate, providing a productive and sustainable future for alfalfa and other forage crops.

Quality grazing in a drought

rkern@wardlab.com — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 16:17:15 -0400

The calls I typically get in the fall about forage options have started early this year. With drought persisting through much of the U.S., many producers are already seeing stunted growth in first and second hay cuttings on dryland.