Other Forage

Timothy hay is Washington state’s largest- and highest-valued grass hay commodity. Timothy hay in the Pacific Northwest is primarily grown for export to Japan to be used for feed in dairy herds. In the lower Columbia Basin, researchers have received yields up to 10 tons per acre per year in three cuttings, but most farmers get two cuttings and receive around 5 to 7 tons per acre per year.

Across the nation, farmers are using different practices to care for the land and harvest healthy crops. One particular Kansas farmer found a new way to improve the land, and the idea is catching on.

I grew up in the Midwest grain belt where corn, beans and wheat were homogenous commodities – one had no real advantage over another.

The series of severe droughts between 2007 and 2012 resulted in substantial decreases in cattle numbers – and enterprises – in the eastern U.S.

The economic interest in enhancing the utilization of forage crops for dairy production has already been well demonstrated.

The use of cover crops in commercial crop production systems has grown exponentially over the last decade.