NDSU Extension Encourages Producers to Assess Forage Requirements

Wet conditions during haying may have reduced the quantity and quality of hay this year. The 2019 growing season has been challenging for farmers and ranchers in the region. It was a bumper year for forage production in many parts of North Dakota, giving ranchers the opportunity to restock depleted forage supplies following the brutal 2018-2019 winter. However, wet conditions created challenges during haying, reducing the quantity and quality of hay. “In addition,…

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Hay Quality Indicators

Christine Gelley, AgNR Educator, Noble County, OSU Extension The drastic swing in temperatures from one day to the next last week should remind us all that it truly is autumn and that winter is coming. The challenges of the 2019 forage production season continue to add up. With droughty conditions across the state for the past two months, what was too lush for too long, is now crunchy and brown. Some producers are…

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South Dakota: Feed Situation

Matthew Diersen, Risk & Business Management Specialist, Ness School of Management & Economics, South Dakota State University Large rainfall events have made it a challenging growing season in South Dakota and neighboring states. The quantity and quality of feed from pastures and crops have been affected. The resulting feed situation is influenced by both local and national factors. Cattle inventories are expected to be constant to slightly lower locally and nationally, meaning steady…

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Hay Quality Considerations

Adele Harty, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist The weather-related opportunities and challenges that 2019 has presented are forcing farmers and ranchers to alter “normal” management decisions. The precipitation and forage growth that the state has experienced this year is something most have never seen and may never see again, but with the additional rainfall, comes variation in forage quality. SDSU Extension encourages producers to test hay and forage crops every year, but if…

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