Forage Production

Grazing management requires planning for the future and acting in the present. Planning is integral to success. Set goals for the operation, evaluate current assets, and then sketch out a plan to reach your goals.

Sometimes what has worked for years isn’t working anymore. Running a stocker program has worked for Cooper Brothers Farm for decades, but circumstances today have changed, and they’re converting to a cow-calf operation.

Cover crops should be more than just a placeholder between cash crop seasons. They should improve soil health, provide nutrients to cattle and be adaptable to the producer’s needs.

In recent years, budgets for public breeding in forage grasses and legumes have been decreasing. Public universities and government agencies with already limited activity in grass and legume breeding are moving those resources to other crop breeding and trial activities.

The year 2019 is here. Although it is the middle of winter and very little forage is growing, producers still need to be thinking about their forage production and pastures.

Advances in seed genetics and other crop inputs continue to help farmers achieve higher yields. However, even with today’s high-producing seeds, maximizing crop performance depends on consistent, accurate seed placement.