Progressive Forage

U.S. and Canadian ag tractor monthly unit sales in July 2022 fell, while harvester sales grew in the U.S., according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). U.S. total farm tractor sales fell 21% for the month of July compared to 2021, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales for the month grew 9.2% to 715 units sold. That’s the second straight month of gains in combine harvesters so far this year.

The USDA is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until Sept. 22, 2022.

Published on 09 August 2022 Sioux Falls-based Raven Engineered Films announced July 20 the company will move forward as Viaflex. The new name and corporate identity follow the April 2022 acquisition by Industrial Opportunity Partners (IOP) from Raven Industries and position the company as an independent, stand-alone business. The new name represents a combination of two words that honor and encapsulate the company's mission and culture.

Published on 09 August 2022 No one can deny it's been a rough couple of years. Between economic, political and social unrest, economic pressures from COVID and war in Ukraine, and widespread drought and other curveballs from Mother Nature, producers have faced innumerable challenges. Relief programs from the USDA are available for many producers to utilize to make it through the tough times. Progressive Forage asked readers if they have taken advantage of these programs.

The calls I typically get in the fall about forage options have started early this year. With drought persisting through much of the U.S., many producers are already seeing stunted growth in our first and second hay cuttings on dryland. Here are some things we need to consider as we manage our forages through these challenging times. First, as we continue grazing season in this drought, we should be mindful of prussic acid. Prussic acid is also known as hydrogen cyanide (HCN).

When the EPA announced its June 30 proposed rule on atrazine, farmers took immediate notice of the EPA’s ultralow level for atrazine. After examining the extensive documentation posted to the docket, the scenario has gone from bad to worse for growers of corn, grain sorghum, sugar cane, fruits, vegetables and other crops that rely on atrazine. If adopted, the proposal would place severe restrictions on most farmers who have safely used the popular herbicide for more than 60 years.

Progressive Forage is the Forage Industry Resource for progressive hay, silage and pasture producers. With contributors including freelance writers, extension specialists and allied industry partners, the leading-edge content is balanced and promotes the best in the forage industry. All editorial content for Progressive Forage is driven by one primary goal – to provide informational resources that ensure success for forage producers.

Lesley Kelly is wife, mother, creator of High Heels and Canola Fields, blogger, speaker, podcast host and co-founder of the Do More Agriculture Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that is championing mental health in agriculture. She shares part of her story here: As a mother to two young boys, I struggled with postpartum depression – and as a wife, I watched my husband, Matt, struggle with anxiety as a farmer.

Cuts, scrapes and slivers are unavoidable for all who work in agriculture. Most of us were taught to “rub some dirt on it” and get back to work. That method can be helpful for small nicks, but we cannot expect it to work on every injury. Most of us would not expect a person with a broken femur to jump up and continue working. However, we often expect this of ourselves as we struggle with mental health.

Conscientious service and strong relationships are the hallmark of HD Custom Forage Harvesting LLC. Owners Dylan and Kate Dolch and Jess Hoyt are in their fifth year with the business partnership that serves farmers across the southwest quarter of Iowa. Hoyt started custom harvesting about a decade ago, partnering with his family farm to buy a self-propelled forage harvester, with the goal of doing a little custom work in addition to the farm’s cattle feed needs, but it didn’t stay that way long.