Livestock under normal conditions are fairly adept at selecting forages with safe nutritional values based on preference, learned behavior and a function called “negative feedback” which basically is the memory that a plant generated illness, depressed condition, or discomfort when eaten.

In a conference call to reporters shortly after Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, announced the committee markup of the bill will be next Tuesday, Gillibrand, D-NY, said she believes the bill “will move to the floor as early as next week.

Nebraska Cattlemen (NC), Sand County Foundation and Cargill are proud to announce The Beel Ranch as the recipient of the 2013 Leopold Conservation Award, which honors Nebraska landowner achievement in voluntary stewardship and management of natural resources.

“We have seen the impact that variable climate patterns have had on production agriculture for the past several years. These projects will deliver the best tools available to accurately measure and respond to the effects of climate on beef and dairy production,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“We, as an agency, have tremendous opportunity and responsibility to mitigate climate change and increase the resiliency of production systems to extreme weather events so we can enhance sustainability of our food production systems,” Honeycutt said..

One of the coolest springs on records has delayed most producers across the Midwest from getting in the field. Typically, 42 percent of the corn in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois is planted by the first week in May. This year, only 5 percent of the planting had occurred by May 3.

While corn and soybeans might get the limelight attention most of the time, don’t overlook the potential of small grains. Able to be sown in corner or small fields, they can be important, if overlooked, feed grains. Small grains can make for good silage, but keep in mind their planting needs.

While corn and soybeans might get the limelight attention most of the time, don’t overlook the potential of small grains. Able to be sown in corner or small fields, they can be important, if overlooked, feed grains. Small grains can make for good silage, but keep in mind their planting needs.

With the popularity of farmers markets has come the growth of farmshares or CSAs. CSAs—the common shorthand for “Community Supported Agriculture”—are a form of direct marketing system. While CSAs are largely produce-oriented, there is a growing movement towards meat CSAs.

“Late-spring snow, cold rain and sleet storms have moved across parts of the northern Plains, and have coincided with peak calving and lambing seasons,” says Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension Service area livestock specialist at the Carrington Extension Research Center.