Summer Annual Forages: Diversify your feed
Maximizing your forage supply is key to having a well-fed, productive herd. One way to accomplish this is by identifying and incorporating summer annual and brassica forages in your crop rotation.
Forage Production and Management
▶ Spring Grazing Checklist
Jason Cavadini, UW–Madison Extension grazing outreach specialist, provides a comprehensive checklist for spring grazing, aimed at optimizing forage production and extending the grazing season.
▶ Forage Insect Pest Update
Dr. Emily Bick, assistant professor and extension specialist for field and forage pests in the UW–Madison Department of Entomology, provides an update on forage insect pests, focusing on alfalfa weevils, potato leaf hoppers, and slugs.
▶ Determining the Value of Standing Forage
Kevin Jarek outlines the key factors needed for accurate valuation, including expected dry matter yield, estimated value per ton of dry matter, and harvest costs.
Pricing Standing Alfalfa
Pricing standing alfalfa requires an open conversation between buyer and seller, with both parties understanding the inherent value of the forage as well as the cost and risks of harvesting.
First crop insect scouting in alfalfa
It’s almost time to scout for early season insect pests in first alfalfa crops. These pests can impact alfalfa crops’ ability to thrive.
2024 Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Program Results
The Wisconsin Alfalfa Yield and Persistence Program is designed to provide forage growers, agricultural professionals, researchers, and the forage industry with a unique look at what is happening at the farm level.
Revisiting the significant role of grass on Wisconsin dairies
There are multiple ways grasses fit into a dairy system from field to bunk, whether seeking overseeding options, more resilience when applying manure, or more biodiversity in in-field ecosystems.
Evaluating alfalfa stands for profit in spring 2025
Alfalfa stand quality can (and should!) be evaluated in both spring and fall. Fall evaluations have the advantage of giving us more time to make management decisions for the following growing season, such as fertilizer application, spring herbicide strategies, and crop sequencing. Learn what to look for in this article.
Research Brief: Interseeding legumes into grass pastures
While legume longevity can be improved through grazing and fertility management, it is a common practice to reseed legumes every few years. This is often achieved by interseeding into established pastures by no-till drilling or frost-seeding. Each method has unique benefits and drawbacks.
▶ Watch: Focus on the Alfalfa Toolbox
The fourth Focus on Forage webinar in the 2025 series, Focus on the Alfalfa Toolbox, features research-based tools and resources for Wisconsin forage growers.
▶ Watch: Focus on Forage Cover Crops (2025)
The third Focus on Forage webinar in the 2025 series, Focus on Forage Cover Crops, features research-based resources and management strategies to keep forage systems productive over time.