Variability is the one constant dairy producers can count on. Unfortunately, cows appreciate consistency and do best when things stay the same on a daily basis.

Every year, I discuss the importance of high-quality forages with the dairymen I work with. Most years, we see above-average forage value. However, the 2023 crop year brought on some new challenges we hadn’t experienced for quite a while.

Successful beef producers are constantly looking for ways to keep their cattle happy, healthy and well fed, while making sure to not break the bank. One way to ensure long-term profitability is to keep feed costs down.

Many southern U.S. regions once plagued by ongoing drought have seen substantial precipitation this past month. Although this rain is a welcome change, it occurred during a crucial harvest window for many small-grain crops – leaving many producers pondering the best means to handle these forages.

Supplementing feed with liquid molasses is one way to improve the nutrient density and digestibility of feed for dairy cows.

Successful dairies achieve consistent performance by implementing protocols that reduce variation within their operation. They do everything they can to limit the internal and external pressures cows face, while creating resilient animals that can withstand the pressures beyond their control.

We may not think about it much, but there’s an interesting story behind how the soybean became a pillar of U.S. agriculture. A long-time staple in eastern parts of the world, soybeans originally came to the states in the early 19th century as ballast in cargo ships that were returning from the Far East.

If you are feeding livestock, you know that the price of hay has gone up. Even if you raised your own hay, the cost to produce that hay has increased.