As grain enters the bins, I've been having more frequent conversations about commodity marketing. There is no one size fits all approach, but one thing remains the same: understanding your cost of production is the foundation of every sound management decision. 

The number of moving parts and pressure to get everything correct during corn silage harvest can be daunting. It is worthy to recognize that the harvest season is a valuable learning and planning opportunity. Documenting crop progress and challenges throughout the season is a good practice, but information collected during the harvest of the single most utilized ingredient in many dairy rations can be particularly valuable.

Governor Hochul has announced two grant opportunities to help address the impacts of climate change and protect water quality. Funding is available in four tracks: Livestock Management (alternative waste and precision feeding management), Adaptation and Resiliency, Healthy Soils, and Agricultural Forestry Management. Contact your local Soil & Water Conservation office for more information. 

Continuing this series from last month, we're taking a look at all of the differences between tilling and no-till systems to help you figure out which system is best for your farm. We previously looked at how tillage decisions impact nutrient cycling, and this time we're considering how the same decisions can change soil structure. Your choice to till or not to till can significantly change your soil structure, determining what kinds of challenges may appear or which may be avoided. 

Knapweed is an aggressive weed that spreads rapidly and reduces the quality of fresh and baled forages. Controlling it however, is not a simple answer. Check out this article for more information about the weed and tips on how to manage it. 

The decision to till or no-till is not a one size fits all approach. This article series aims to clear up some of the confusion about the ways that tillage (or a lack thereof) impacts our fields, and how the challenges you face could determine whether it's the right move for you. 

Volunteer corn infestations popping up in your crop rotation can reduce crop yield and require additional herbicide considerations. Now is the time to prepare for harvest by calibrating your equipment to minimize harvest losses.

With our average frost date fast approaching, it's time to consider how we are going to handle corn that is either immature or experiences a frost. Check out this article for tips on how to manage this forage. 

Computer-based forage inventory calculators are excellent tools, but a good ol' pen and pad of paper can help you achieve the same result. This article walks you through calculating a forage inventory step-by-step, while also providing an example to follow along with.

Recently several areas have received much needed rain and while it has not been enough to alleviate the dry conditions for most, it has been enough to "perk up" some corn fields. With rain following dry conditions, a final effort is triggered for the corn plant to finish its lifecycle, putting energy into kernel development. There are challenges and opportunities that arise with this phenomenon, that you can learn more about in this article.

Proper storage in the bunk should always be a priority, but challenging growing seasons like the one we've had this year reinforce the importance of proper ensiling. One bunk management strategy to consider is the use of silage inoculants.

The challenges of the 2025 growing season continue with questions about adequate quantity and quality of forages to meet the needs of dairy herds in the coming year. As we look for a strong finish to the growing season to alleviate some of these challenges it is important to assess your forage situation and take steps to meet the forage needs of the herd.