Quality grass hay with a touch of alfalfa first cut.

Progressive Forage Feed

• Alternative range grazing

  “We’re one family on one ranch, and that’s it.”

  That statement is the bold proclamation on the Alderspring Ranch website, front and center with their family photo.

• Keep the leaves!

  We all know how important leaves are to forage quality. Leaves contain the bulk of the energy and protein and are more digestible than stems. This is especially true for alfalfa.

• Prescribed burning improves forage

  Ranchers often use fire to help control or retard invasive species or brushy plants like juniper or cedar, create more forage for livestock or reduce fuel loads to help prevent catastrophic wildfires.

• Using liquid manure with emerged corn

  Not many years ago, there were only two people allowed to enter a newly planted Midwest cornfield: One was the person applying the side-dress nitrogen, and the other was the person applying the weed control.

• Ladybugs are alfalfa’s best friend

  Will Ricks had a big problem with aphids in his alfalfa. “Aphids can do a lot of damage, especially in large numbers,” he says.

• Equipment Hub: Nutrient application and the 4R nutrient stewardship principles

  Ensuring that plants receive adequate nutrition is a critical component of a profitable yield, no matter which forage crop you produce.