ATTRA

APRIL 2, 2024

Our pastures are devastated by livestock feeding areas, hooves, gate ruts, excessive rain, snow melt, and lack of vegetative cover during the non-growing season. We are too aware of the cost of pasture forage restoration, truck fenders, and loss of man hours, but there is also a cost to the health and welfare of our livestock.

Soil Compaction 98

Soil Compaction Pasture Forage Livestock 98

Civil Eats

JULY 2, 2024

From pasture to parlor, its organic, butterfat-rich milk travels less than 10 miles, produced by a herd of Jerseys pasture-raised on the misty coast. The ice cream shop is an extension of the Nicholson family’s sixth-generation, 120-acre farm in nearby Ferndale. A few sleek Jersey cows from the Foggy Bottoms Boys pastures.

Pasture 93

Pasture Production Marketing Supply Chain 93

Civil Eats

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

The tall forage stands out in southeastern Minnesota’s corn and soybean fields, which this time of year have been reduced to stubble poking through the snow. It works as both a cover crop and forage for the cattle, and it’s helping Bedtka build up organic matter in his soil. That’s where the sorghum-sudangrass comes in.

Crop 111

Crop Farming Farming Acre 111

Modern Farmer

JANUARY 19, 2024

In return, they are paid a yearly rental rate per acre of land enrolled in CRP programs. In 2023, he USDA Farm Service Agency made more than $1.77 billion in payments to agricultural producers and landowners enrolled in all CRP programs, and more than 23 million acres of private land in the US was being conserved.

Farming 83

Farming Farming Farmland Livestock 83

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

DECEMBER 8, 2023

Prescribed grazing, for example, including forms such as management intensive rotational grazing that allow for short-duration presence of livestock on a given part of the landscape, can improve the quality of forage and increase the presence of native perennial plants. Some selections can increase yields and profits per acre.

Ranching 71

Ranching Crop Greenhouse Pasture 71

Modern Farmer

JULY 10, 2023

After a winter of record snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, a sudden warm spell melted the lower reaches, unleashing nearly 40,000 acre-feet of water —a volume equal to more than a tenth of Las Vegas’ annual supply—in 48 hours. His 580-acre farm grows enough forage to supply the herd, so “I’m good with where I’m at,” he adds.

Farming 89

Farming Farming Manure Agriculture 89

UnderstandingAg

APRIL 30, 2023

Manure slurry is a valuable but difficult resource to manage on dairy farms. Slurry pits must be emptied to make room for the never-ending stream of manure. Manure is often not a top priority for most dairies and handling may have to wait until seasonal fieldwork is completed. This causes the soil microbiology to go dormant.

Manure 52

Manure Pasture Fertilizer Crop 52