May 1 2014
Frequent soil testing and proper fertilization will help to ensure that your crop has an adequate supply of nutrients. by John Goeser and Dustin Sawyer Goeser is director of nutritional research and innovation...
April 21 2014
With spring planting around the corner, it is a good idea to review the terms and conditions of any land rental agreements in addition to getting field equipment ready for the upcoming planting season....
April 14 2014
Fertility isn't just for cows by Amanda Smith, Associate Editor is vital, noted Eric Young, in a recent Miner Institute Farm Report. As in the cow, achieving maximum soil fertility requires a balanced...
April 10 2014
Agronomists say that for all the plant growth you see above ground, there is an equivalent root mass found underneath the soil's surface supplying plants with life-giving nutrients. This living, breathable...
March 24 2014
With spring approaching, runoff concerns come to mind for many dairy farmers around the country. Managing or redirecting the water that could run to or through manure storage facilities and confined animal...
Feb. 27 2014
The tie stall herds from our February 25, 2014, Round Table have more to share. Earlier this week, the February 25 issue of Hoard's Dairyman hit our readers' mailboxes. On pages 118 to 120, four herds...
Feb. 27 2014
Soil sampling do's and don'ts. A soil analysis is only as good as the sample on which it was based. Therefore, sampling should be done by either the farm's crop consultant
Feb. 6 2014
While it's not time to make hay just yet, it is time to get the wheels in motion for this year's cropping season. The bane of growing crops lies in our inability to predict the weather
Jan. 23 2014
Producers that make hay are beholden to Mother Nature. While you may mow hay when the sun is shining, an unexpected rain can damage a valuable forage crop. Bale loss is caused by microbial activity
Jan. 10 2014
There's no substitute for plastic on bunkers. Thomas is retired from the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute and president of Oak Point Agronomics Ltd.; Mahanna is with DuPont Pioneer and...
Dec. 11 2013
Plan ahead to maximize your crop's performance. Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin, shared "Growing high yield and high quality corn silage in the northern Corn Belt" on the December 9 webinar, sponsored...
Dec. 2 2013
Once your bunks are packed and covered, your focus needs to shift from maximizing yields to reducing future losses. While it's difficult to counteract poor management early on, proper feed-out can minimize...
Oct. 14 2013
A fall alfalfa harvest: should you do it on your farm? If you are short on forage supplies, the answer may be yes. Alfalfa stores energy in its roots and crowns. These energy reserves are used by the plant...
Oct. 10 2013
As farms have grown in size, so has the equipment used in crop production. Field equipment is heavier, with the potential to cause more soil compaction at depths that make it difficult (in some cases impossible)...
Aug. 25 2013
Shredlage can elevate your forage's physically-effective fiber content and improve kernel processing
Aug. 22 2013
What can you afford to pay for land rent and still be competitive? Margin management has become critical to farm success. "Keeping in mind feed market volatility, it looks like feed will be cheaper based...
July 24 2013
Creating solutions to forage needs. Mike Hutjens, University of Illinois, presented "Playing the crop-year cards we've been dealt" webinar on Monday, July 8. Labeled the "perfect storm" by Mike Rankin,...
June 24 2013
2013 Farm Progress Hay Expo had plenty to see and learn about. For hay and forage enthusiasts, the 2013 Farm Progress Hay Expo was the place to be. There were numerous equipment line-ups and demonstrations...
May 21 2013
With record-low hay stocks, many farms will need to stretch their forage supplies. by Abby Huibregtse, Hoard's Dairyman Associate Editor The USDA recently released estimates for hay in storage, and it's...
May 10 2013
We need to revisit corn's nutrient needs