Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Phil Kaatz
Planning for Drought Stressed Corn Silage
Courtney Sacco With corn silage harvest in full swing, livestock producers should be aware that prolonged moisture stress, high temperatures and low humidity during this year’s growing season may have led to elevated nitrate levels. Nitrate accumulation is the major concern Producers making plans to harvest corn silage due to drought damage should be aware of major issues associated with nitrate accumulation in the plants.
Safety First: Forage Harvesters and Balers Pose Significant Safety Risks
By Phil Kaatz In late summer of 2023, a 23-year-old farm worker was found entangled in a running baler—alone in the field, the machine still running. His death was preventable. This tragedy highlights a critical truth: forage harvester and baler safety are non-negotiable. Spring and summer are the times when harvesting forages turn into a race between quality and quantity. Often this race gets squeezed into a small window of opportunity before a rain event can spoil forage quality and/or quantity.
Safety first: Forage harvesters and balers pose significant safety risks
In late summer of 2023, a 23-year-old farm worker was found entangled in a running baler—alone in the field, the machine still running. His death was preventable. This tragedy highlights a critical truth: forage harvester and baler safety are non-negotiable. Spring and summer are the times when harvesting forages turn into a race between quality and quantity. Often this race gets squeezed into a small window of opportunity before a rain event can spoil forage quality and/or quantity.
Optimizing your forage quality is the topic for the May 1 Virtual Breakfast Series
Join the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on Thursday, May 1, 2025, for a discussion on the value of forage quality in hay and haylage. Kim Cassida, a forage specialist at Michigan State University (MSU), will be our speaker and is an expert in managing alfalfa, clover and grass forages. Growing hay and haylage always involves the tradeoff between yield and nutritional quality since they are inversely related.
An Overview of Farm Labor in Michigan
The farm workforce in Michigan has experienced several changes over the past 20 years. While certain agricultural sectors have adopted new management practices and reduced their reliance on labor, others, such as fruit and vegetable production and the dairy industry, still depend heavily on farm labor. This is primarily due to the unavailability of technology for specific farm tasks, or the high costs associated with implementing robotic or mechanized equipment to replace human labor.
2025 Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference focuses on agriculture sustainability, climate variability and change
Calling all forage producers! Join us for the 2025 Great Lakes Forage & Grazing Conference to be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Agro Liquid Conference Center in St. Johns, MI. The annual conference and trade show will feature the latest forage related research and management during the educational sessions.
Fall Harvest Safety Tips
By Phil Kaatz and Laurel Harduar Morano During the fall harvest season, countless hours will be spent in combines, tractors, trucks and other equipment by farmers and workers who will be transporting large equipment on our roads and highways. It is always a good suggestion to go over safety considerations with all workers to teach or reinforce the importance of safety on the farm, especially for new or inexperienced workers. Agriculture ranks among the nation’s most hazardous industries.
Maximizing Drainage Efficiency for Field Crops Producers
By Phil Kaatz Water management in field crops may be one of the most difficult things for producers to control. Over the last 18 months, there have been periods of too little precipitation and too much rainfall. Each situation brings challenges as producers struggle to manage water in their cropping system. On Sept. 5, 2024, join the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series as we address issues associated with a tile drainage system.
Maximizing drainage efficiency for field crops producers
Water management in field crops may be one of the most difficult things for producers to control. Over the last 18 months, there have been periods of too little precipitation and too much rainfall. Each situation brings challenges as producers struggle to manage water in their cropping system. On Sept. 5, 2024, join the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series as we address issues associated with a tile drainage system. Is the system performing as you had hoped for?
Mole Drains Field Day for Improving Soil Drainage Scheduled in St. Clair County on Sept. 9
By Phil Kaatz Farmers with fine-textured clay soils will usually have limited options to improve the water drainage in many fields with excess rainfall. An alternative method to subsurface tile drainage is a mole drain system. The mole drain is a budget-friendly system that creates channels below the surface of the soil and can be used in a field that is tiled or non-tiled. Michigan State University Extension will be hosting a mole drains demonstration field day on Monday, Sept.
Mole drains field day for improving soil drainage scheduled in St. Clair County on Sept. 9
Farmers with fine-textured clay soils will usually have limited options to improve the water drainage in many fields with excess rainfall. An alternative method to subsurface tile drainage is a mole drain system. The mole drain is a budget-friendly system that creates channels below the surface of the soil and can be used in a field that is tiled or non-tiled. Michigan State University Extension will be hosting a mole drains demonstration field day on Monday, Sept.
Help! My alfalfa field may be slowly starving!
The hay season is off to a robust start and yields in 2024 have started strong. The question to ask is will my forage fields be able to get the nutrients they need, or will they slowly starve? Now may be the time to reinvest into alfalfa, grass or grass/alfalfa mixed fields with increased fertilizer applications. Since 2022, soil test recommendations and the cost for fertilizing forage fields with potassium (K) may have been greater than what producers were willing to spend.
Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series Continues With Cercospora Leaf Spot Management in Sugarbeets
By Phil Kaatz Cercospora leaf spot continues to be the most damaging foliar disease of sugarbeets. Leaf spot pressure annually impacts sugarbeet crops in Michigan. Early detection and timely management practices can help reduce potential yield loss. Join Jaime Willbur, Michigan State University potato and sugarbeet pathologist, during the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on June 20, 2024.
Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series continues with Cercospora leaf spot management in sugarbeets
Cercospora leaf spot continues to be the most damaging foliar disease of sugarbeets. Leaf spot pressure annually impacts sugarbeet crops in Michigan. Early detection and timely management practices can help reduce potential yield loss. Join Jaime Willbur, Michigan State University potato and sugarbeet pathologist, during the Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series on June 20, 2024.
MSU Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series kicks off seventh season March 21, 2024
The Michigan State University Extension Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series will kick off its seventh season on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Each week during the growing season, Michigan State University (MSU) field crops specialists and Extension educators collaborate to provide a quick, on-point update on current weather conditions, crop conditions and emerging pest issues.
Fall field crop update for Michigan’s Thumb region
If you’re part of the group that likes the fall season when the colors start to change, you’ll have many farmers joining you in 2023. For the farmers, their livelihood depends on harvesting a bountiful crop, and it looks like a variable but good crop is in store for the year. Those outside of farming realize crop harvest is the end of the growing season, but many may not realize there’s plenty of work to still be done. Farmers will market and transport the crop in full earnest in the coming months.
Planning for effective fall weed control
As we get further into fall, now is the perfect time to assess how the previous year’s weed control program did and plan for the upcoming year. Though herbicide options are limited, a multi-pronged approach can set the stage for success next season. Christy Sprague, MSU Weed Management Extension specialist, will review some of the challenges observed from this past year and discuss a range of options to consider when planning this fall’s weed control and herbicide program.
Irrigation efficiency is focus of July 6 Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series
Irrigation can be a valuable form of crop insurance that farmers can use to manage around periods of low rainfall. However, knowing when to turn on the irrigation system and how much water to apply are critical from a crop production and an economic standpoint.
Managing Cercospora leaf spot in sugarbeets
Sugarbeet producers have had a long-standing leaf disease issue called Cercospora leaf spot. Early detection and timely management practices can help reduce potential yield loss.
Managing the top five toughest weeds in Michigan hay fields
Phil Kaatz and Erin Burns When hay producers go to the field this summer to harvest forage crops, one of the challenges they face is how to address the weeds that creep in over time. Michigan State University Extension surveyed past participants of the Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference on what are the five toughest to control weeds in their hay fields.
Sanilac farmers harvest their bounty
Sanilac farmers harvest their bounty By ohtadmin | on October 12, 2022 BY PHIL KAATZ, FIELD CROPS EDUCATOR MSU Extension Farmers tend to have short memories when it comes to cropping seasons and that’s a good thing when they consider 2022 compared to 2021. It’s a welcome sign to see dust flying as combines and grain drills go across fields in Sanilac County and the Thumb region. Crops are maturing normally and fall wheat plantings are proceeding in rapid fashion.
2023 Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference to focus on efficiency for animals and plants
Rising input costs over the last two years have been driving up the cost of production for every sector in agriculture. Livestock and forage producers that manage their farms, while keeping an eye towards the future, know one of the keys for continued profitability is efficiency in growing a crop or animal.
Fall harvest safety tips
WYOBRASKA – Some commonsense tips can help prevent farm accidents during harvest season. During the fall harvest season, countless hours will be spent in combines, tractors, trucks and other equipment by farmers and workers who will be transporting large equipment on our roads and highways. Some workers may be young, new or inexperienced, so it’s always a good suggestion to go over safety considerations with all workers to teach or reinforce the importance of safety on the farm.
Managing the top five toughest weeds in Michigan hay fields
Phil Kaatz, Michigan State University Extension, and Erin Burns, Michigan State University, Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences - April 20, 2023 A survey of the Great Lakes Forage and Grazing Conference participants provides a list of tough weeds for producers. When hay producers go to the field this summer to harvest forage crops, one of the challenges they face is how to address the weeds that creep in over time.
Make a Plan for Drought-stressed Corn Silage in 2018
Hot, dry weather conditions can damage corn and have the potential for toxic levels of nitrates in corn silage. ( Phil Kaatz, Michigan State University Extension ) Corn silage harvest will soon be in full swing and livestock producers should be aware of the potential for excess levels of nitrates due to the prolonged moisture stress, high temperatures and low humilities during this year’s growing season.
The Importance of First Cutting Alfalfa: Quality Versus Yield
The old cliché, you never get over a good or bad start, is very true for the forage crop of alfalfa. Alfalfa is a legume that provides an excellent blend of fiber, protein and energy. When harvested at the appropriate time, alfalfa can provide excellent quality feed. Harvest too late and the consequences are poorer quality with higher yields. Harvest too early and the consequences are high quality with both reduced yields and reduced stand longevity.
Alfalfa Management Calendar for Michigan
Managing alfalfa fields in Michigan is far different in the southern tier of counties compared to the top of the Upper Peninsula. This should not be a surprise given it’s about the same distance to drive from Waldron, Michigan, located near the Michigan/Ohio state line, to either Marquette, Michigan, or Nashville, Tennessee. To provide beginning and experienced alfalfa producers with some guidance, Michigan State University Extension has produced an Alfalfa Management Calendar for Michigan.
Alfalfa Management Calendar for Michigan
Managing alfalfa fields in Michigan is far different in the southern tier of counties compared to the top of the Upper Peninsula. This should not be a surprise given it’s about the same distance to drive from Waldron, Michigan, located near the Michigan/Ohio state line, to either Marquette, Michigan, or Nashville, Tennessee. To provide beginning and experienced alfalfa producers with some guidance, Michigan State University Extension has produced an Alfalfa Management Calendar for Michigan.
Early career agribusiness professional development training series available
MAPLE VALLEY TWP. — When new agribusiness employees begin to visit farms as part of their work duties, farmers indicate they prefer interacting with agribusiness professionals who have some practical on-farm knowledge. You must be an online subscriber to view this story. The full version of this story will be available to all readers after 30 days. Full versions of news stories from the most recent 30 days are available to online subscribers only.
Common Alfalfa Cutting Questions
The hay cutting season for Midwest alfalfa producers is quickly approaching, and the weather is finally heating up. There are some common questions that usually come up prior to the harvest season, and Michigan State University Extension will answer some of these questions using a “normal” growing season as a guide to harvesting this year’s crop.
Common alfalfa cutting questions
Producers should consider these common questions as the alfalfa cutting season starts. The hay cutting season for Michigan alfalfa producers is quickly approaching, and the weather is finally heating up. There are some common questions that usually come up prior to the harvest season, and Michigan State University Extension will answer some of these questions using a “normal” growing season as a guide to harvesting this year’s crop.
What Will Climate Change Mean to My Alfalfa Stands This Year?
Every winter alfalfa producers are concerned about the weather. The extremes we have seen in recent years with too much snow, not enough snow, too wet, too dry, and now too warm can give farmers heartburn when they think about their perennial forage crops.
Potato leafhoppers causing problems in Michigan alfalfa fields
Weather always has a significant impact when projecting what may happen with a particular crop from year to year. Potato leafhopper infestations are being reported in alfalfa fields in many areas of Michigan. Potato leafhoppers annually arrive in Michigan with storms originating from the Gulf Coast states. In alfalfa, the hot, dry weather often leads to increased populations of potato leafhoppers. Growers may not always notice the increased populations until damage has already occurred.
Tips for a successful forage harvest
Each spring, there’s usually a very long list of things producers need to complete on a timely basis. A couple years ago, I asked several very successful farmers what made the difference between doing very well compared to just getting by, and the answer was pretty uniform across the group. If a producer pays attention to the details for what they’re doing and does things on a timely basis, they will be more successful.
Nitrogen:corn ratio indicates farmers should calculate risks
Planting season is in full swing according to the calendar. While some farmers are waiting, others have nearly completed corn planting. Once the fields are planted, weed control and nitrogen (N) sidedress applications will follow. Michigan State University soil scientists have teamed with other land grant universities to encourage farmers to consider how much total N they apply using the Maximum Return to Nitrogen corn nitrogen rate calculator.
Earlier Planting Dates Key For Higher Soybean Yields
Many times the differences in attaining higher net income for soybean producers can be directly tied to the timing of planting. Historically, many farmers have not planted at optimum times in order to achieve maximum yields. For the past five years, soybeans in Michigan were 20.2% planted by May 13, 58.8% planted by May 26 and 88.4% planted by June 9, according to the USDA Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Phil
Contact Phil, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack