As you recall, the summer drought of 2006 caused some producers to overgraze their summer pastures, greatly impacting pasture productivity and leaving very little opportunity for any fall forage production. Mismanagement, or overgrazing, of pastures can have the most detrimental effects on overall production cost for a producer, especially during times of drought stress. The closer you graze a pasture, the longer the rest period is required for forage recovery, impacting the productivity...

Dairy producers have adopted them mostly, but Johnson said beef producers can benefit as well because of less forage loss. Forage Expo lets producers see equipment in operation. That higher moisture spurs fermentation, which produces acid. It is simpler than the horizontal model and will handle any dry hay. It can take three-, 13-foot rows into one and folds up nice for transport. Jay-Lor displayed their 4405 cubic foot vertical mixer next. An H&S bale wrapper that can wrap dry to...

The average acre of Bermuda or alfalfa used for hay will reap 6 to 8 tons of hay per acre per year with four cuttings, said Dr. Hay growers usually cut the fields of grasses used in hay production two to four times a year. There are no numbers or estimates for hay bales produced in 2006 or produced so far this year, Hayes said. While states like Kansas are struggling to get wheat and other commodities out of flooded mid-west fields, Tennessee farmers and ranchers are struggling to grow or...

Trenton, NJ: In the aftermath of the huge Menu Foods pet food recall this past spring, the New Jersey state legislature is considering joining two other states - Illinois and Tennessee - in granting pet owners the right to sue for loss of companionship and reasons other than economic loss - and to claim damages up to a specific cap. Trenton, NJ: In the aftermath of the huge Menu Foods pet food recall this past spring, the New Jersey state legislature is considering joining two other states...

Like many of about 21,000 other livestock producers in Mississippi, the Sullivans are struggling with a limited forage supply and are left with the choice of buying costly feed or selling some of their herds. There was little in the way of hay to carry over as farmers came out of winter, and they're now suffering through another dry season that is further limiting forage. Department of Agriculture showed crop conditions for 39 percent of the corn crop at poor or worse, while 45 percent of...