Forage Industry Issues

New pesticide rules aren’t just a farmer’s problem – ranchers, take note

annalisa@buddfalen.com — Thu, 15 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Think pesticide regulations only affect farmers? Think again. Recent changes to the federal pesticide registration process could limit how – and where – ranchers can use pesticides to manage rangeland resources. Whether you use zinc phosphide to manage prairie dog populations or malathion to control grasshopper outbreaks, these new rules may directly affect your ability to manage these pests.

Crop protection legislation: The battle over pesticide liability

lgoering@umd.edu — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

You might be asking yourself, “What is this legislation focused on protecting? And does it benefit me as a hay and forage producer?”

Fuel price trends offer farmers some relief amid uncertainty

qizhang@uidaho.edu — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

With fuel expenses continuing to stabilize, farmers can expect more predictable operating costs and potentially healthier bottom lines. That small relief could provide a bit of breathing room in 2025 crop budgets and help offset other rising inputs.

Export market dynamics: Good, to difficult, to different

carrie.veselka@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

“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

carrie.veselka@agproud.com — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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

dave@agproud.com — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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

USDA reports indicate heifer retention ahead of expected drought conditions

tyrell@agproud.com — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

According to the USDA Cattle on Feed report published Oct. 25, total U.S. inventory of cattle on feed for the slaughter market on Oct. 1 was 11.6 million head, a slight drop from the same report in 2023.

Farm bill expires amid congressional partisanship

tyrell@agproud.com — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Farmers and ranchers across the country are expressing frustration – but very little surprise – at Congress’ continued inability to make any progress on a new farm bill. The omnibus legislation, which historically has received strong bipartisan support, expired on Sept. 30 after receiving a one-year extension in 2023.

Effective weed control in an uncertain regulatory environment

Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Every day, farmers deal with variables out of their control, from weather to mechanical issues to weed pressure. In recent weeks, a new variable has affected many U.S. growers.

Forage Market Insights: Inventories and weather are the drivers

dave@agproud.com — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:44:37 -0500

Preliminary data shows 2023 hay production and inventories are up from a year ago.

USDA to begin issuing $1.75 billion to agricultural producers through critical emergency relief programs

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The USDA today announced that it will begin issuing more than $1.75 billion in emergency relief payments to eligible farmers and livestock producers.

USDA provides $5 million in second round of payments to help organic dairy producers cover increased costs

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The USDA is announcing a second round of payments for dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP), providing an additional $5 million to help dairy producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry.

USDA accepts nearly 2.7 million acres in Grassland CRP sign-up, successfully closing the gap and bringing CRP near to acreage cap

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The USDA is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners through this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grassland sign-up.

Where’s the water?

dustin_sawyer@rockriverlab.com — Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Water resources have become a legitimate concern for U.S. agriculture.

2023 dry hay acreage may rebound slightly

dave@agproud.com — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 08:57:45 -0400

There’s still time and weather to impact cropping plans, but early indications are that acreage devoted to dry hay production will rebound slightly in 2023.

Forage Market Insights: New year starts with changing conditions

dave@agproud.com — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 13:33:45 -0500

Here’s Progressive Forage’s monthly look at factors impacting hay markets for January 2023.

Forage Market Insights: There’s hay in the manger

dave@agproud.com — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 11:14:13 -0500

Whether buying or selling hay, there’s plenty to unwrap as the calendar year comes to a close.

Forage Market Insights: November 2022

dave@agproud.com — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 13:48:53 -0500

The 2022 hay crop has been made. Those marketing and moving it face plenty of challenges.

USDA crop insurance changes encourage cover crops

dave@agproud.com — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 20:10:12 -0500

The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced changes to crop insurance programs that are designed to address producer needs while supporting conservation and climate mitigation efforts through the management of cover crops.

High fertilizer costs likely to extend into spring planting

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 19:42:47 -0500

A dramatic rise in fertilizer prices is weighing heavily on U.S. crop farmers and input suppliers as they prepare for the 2022 planting season. Prices for nitrogen-based fertilizers commonly used for corn production have skyrocketed to all-time highs in recent months.

Proposal expands DOT farm truck exemptions

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 19:45:29 -0400

A proposal to expand exemptions and modernize farm truck regulations has been introduced in the U.S. Senate.

In Focus: 2021 cropland and pastureland values, rental rates

dave@agproud.com — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 05:05:33 -0400

Highlights

Progressive Forage provides a look at 2021 U.S. and major forage state cropland and pastureland values, as well as cropland and pastureland rental rates per acre.

Details announced for USDA plan to help cover feed-related transportation costs

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 16:32:20 -0400

The USDA has released details of a plan to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing and are located in regions affected by the drought.

The biological risk of drought

bravomelissa@yahoo.com — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:54:32 -0400

The grazing season was well underway in the southern U.S. when tornadic weather spawned in early May. Across the country, 14 states have declared worsening drought stages in the peak of calving season.

Keeping forage plastics out of the landfill

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 18:03:56 -0500

Plastic recycling is an issue that concerns consumers in almost every industry, and agriculture is no different. A study released in 2011 found that Ontario farmers use nearly 7,000 tonnes of plastic as part of their yearly operations.