When moving boxes to a new house, some feel like they are stuffed with bubble wrap while others are anvil-like in weight. In other words, these same-sized boxes offer drastically different hernia potentials.

Mike Hutjens with the University of Illinois summarized the highs and lows of corn silage and haylage production in 2025 and speculated what might be in store for dairy producers in 2026.

Alfalfa & grass prices (FOB barn/stack) from key states as of Nov. 14 are now available. Full report -> https://t.co/IB9bYZOp7Z

"The farm is for sale.” It was the plot twist to conclude Brittany Nickerson-Thurlow’s recounting of her family’s seven-decade history in the Florida dairy industry. https://t.co/573dfFKDE8

The colder months ahead require farmers to winterize hay equipment, take inventory of stored forages, and draw up plans to feed livestock. https://t.co/c38k6HQEZl

Slow pasture growth due to drought conditions limits more than forage yield and grazing potential — it can reduce beta carotene levels in plants and raise the risk of vitamin A deficiencies in cattle. https://t.co/JJRVpKlGqR

Mother Nature dictates how we farm. The problem, of course, is that we can’t predict the fickle nuances of rain events or droughts. As such, we play the odds and hope to roll sevens instead of snake eyes.

Alfalfa and grass prices being paid for selected states at the end of the day on November 7. https://t.co/mwbcIUZGKG

Generally speaking, wet spring conditions evolved into a dry summer and fall for a large part of the central U.S. https://t.co/VVvnBQYlwV

The International Dairy Federation (IDF) recently held the World Dairy Summit from October 20 to 23 in Santiago, Chile. https://t.co/xi6Hy958hI

Halloween doesn’t make my list of observed holidays, but I have been reflecting on some of the more frightening forage-related topics and farm experiences that Hay & Forage Grower has covered over the years.

Overgrazed pastures continue to haunt the livestock industry. In case you didn’t notice, that was a purposeful and obligatory Halloween reference, but one loaded with truth.

Cornstalks are an economical forage source to take advantage of for fall and winter grazing.

Feeding forage to dairy calves during the preweaning period is one of those arguments that has created a clear divide in practices and opinions. Read More.

When walking a feedbunk filled with a total mixed ration (TMR) containing some haylage, it’s pretty easy to spot haylage chunks that didn’t get broken up and mixed. These chunks stick out like a pink sheep in a white sheep herd.

As of this writing, I can officially check the Pacific Northwest off my list of regions to visit. Even though I was in Oregon to visit grass seed farms during the thick of their harvest season.

Alfalfa and grass prices being paid for selected states at the end of the day on October 24.

Best corn silage feeding practices include removing only a day’s worth of material from storage to limit spoilage and ensure animals always receive fresh feed.

The number of moving parts and pressure to get everything correct during corn silage harvest can be daunting.

Grazing cover crops is a proven strategy to get a head start on spring grazing and reduce winter hay feeding, but doing so in the fall isn’t always an option when planting dates depend on row-crop harvest.