MANAGEMENT

In the same way that stores take inventory to assess their performance, plan for the future and detect any unaccounted-for loss of product, on-farm forage inventories can reap similar benefits for farms. During his webinar, “Tools for Helping to Determine On-Farm Forage Inventories,” presented by the University of Wisconsin – Madison Extension as part of their Growing & Feeding Alternative Forages webinar series in April, Kevin Jarek shared helpful tips on how to assess forage inventories and how they can be useful.

This has been a weird year, and I have to say I have never been as anxious to see a year go into the books as 2020. However, I have to admit that, on reflection, Andrea (Miss Andy to our friends) and I were more prepared for 2020 than most.

The valley was breathtaking. Driving across a twisting mountain road, I could see the green strip far below.

“Grandpa, why are you staying up for New Year’s Eve this year?”

“I want to make sure 2020 is gone!”

I find myself writing this article in a place no one wants to be – by my dear 90-year-old mom’s hospital bed. It is Saturday, and the last time she recognized me was Thursday morning.

It’s not uncommon for purchased feed costs to equal 50% of a dairy farm’s budget. Nearly 20 years ago, Jon Bansen of Double J Jerseys near Monmouth, Oregon, was in the same boat.