As the current dry conditions continue  in southern Wisconsin, many farmers are faced not only with the decision of how to feed their grazing livestock, but also whether it is economically viable to harvest alfalfa- or clover-grass hayfields that have had limited growth in recent weeks, but are maturing and losing quality. One answer may […]

As the heat and dry conditions continue in southern Wisconsin, producers with animals on pasture are considering their options as pasture quality and forage production declines.  The combination of high temperatures and moisture stress have placed our perennial pasture grasses and legumes into dormancy mode and little if any regrowth is occurring as plants try to conserve […]

Many pastures in southern Wisconsin are severely stressed from the current drought.  When pasture forages are in short supply,  livestock may eat plants they typically avoid, and cases of livestock poisoning may occur.    Plant poisoning is a function of both concentration of the toxin in the plant and the amount of plant material an animal eats.  Some plants […]

 As summer health warnings come out cautioning recreationists about algal blooms on area lakes, Wisconsin farmers may want to prevent access to ponds to decrease the potential for livestock toxicity from cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.  Blue green algae are naturally occurring in many ponds during the summer months, and hot, dry conditions seem to […]

Video recordings of the Ohio State Pastures for Profit Grazing School are available for download from the Ohio State University Extension Forage Team. The 30 to 45 minute presentations were recorded live in mp4 format during a Pastures for Profit grazing school offered in April of 2012 and cover a variety of topics.