One of the most important factors in the cutting and harvesting of forages is minimizing drying time. With the unpredictable weather patterns farmers experience, getting forage crops cut and quickly harvested must be done efficiently.

Nitrogen is one of the most important and costliest plant nutrients, especially for cattle producers. Knowledge of the nitrogen cycle is an important start in shaving costs off of this expensive fertilizer.

“Nitrogen compounds have to be converted to ammonium or nitrate to become useable by plants,” says Dirk Philipp, assistant professor for University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

This month, I want to identify and briefly discuss the top seven reasons I see that pasture weed control programs don't work as well as they should.

A popular comedian has a top 10 list for his act, but since I'm only about 70 percent as funny as he is, I only have a top seven list.

What is small, brown and defoliates alfalfa? While there are several correct replies, the most common answer is the alfalfa weevil. If not managed properly, this pest inflicts a wealth of damage on important first-cutting alfalfa stands.

Detecting the weevil by scouting and knowing what to look for is the first step to reducing the damage it can cause. Once identified, a producer can evaluate management steps to control it.