Pensacola bahiagrass hayfield that was yellow and stunted at the end of June near Marianna, FL. The orange arrows point out green clumps of grass where the fire ant mounds were located. Photo credit: Doug Mayo The Yellow Bahiagrass Hayfield At the end of June, a Jackson County,FL rancher noticed something strange about his hay […]
Some of the most challenging conversations, in almost any relationship, are the ones about money. This is certainly true as land owners and ranchers renew pasture leases, managers and workers negotiate wages, or agreements are made for custom farm work. It can be pretty challenging to determine what is a fair price for both parties. […]
Figure 1 U.S. Average price for 550 pound steers from June 2011 to 2016. Source Chris Prevatt, UF/IFAS Beef Economist Cattle prices peaked at unprecedented levels in 2014, fell off a cliff in 2015, and have taken a another steep nosedive in 2016. When you look at the chart above you can see that prices […]
Winter feeding is one of the largest expenses for ranchers, and hay production and feeding is one of the major labor requirements in the annual management of a cattle operation. Researchers across the country have long searched for ways to extend the grazing season to reduce the “forage gap,” so that less hay is required […]
This past month as a part of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Conference in South Dakota, I was given the opportunity, along with many other agents from across the country, to tour ranches and feedyards. Several that we visited have redesigned their working facilities using the “Bud Box” and double alley system to […]