Michigan Forage Council Winter 2021

Michigan Forage Council

Hay & Grazier

Winter 2021

2021 Great Lakes Forage & Grazing Conference Goes Virtual on March 11 12 noon).

Even though this is a free event, registration is needed to receive the Zoom meeting link. Register here: https://events.anr.msu. edu/2021GLFGC/ The webinar link will be emailed following registration. Attendees will be able to join via smartphone, computer, or tablet. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on March 11, 2021.

202Thurlow 1 “Vir tua&l”Kim GreaCassida t Lakes ForForage age & G razing Co ereUniversity nce

by Kable Specialist atnfthe Webinar—Thursday,ofMGeorgia arch 11,before 2021 coming to WisYour MFC Board has9worked :00 am—12 consin.

Noon ES T sessions will highlight His with MSU Extension to plan a virforage that KeynotForage e Speak& erGrazing : Dr. Dennis the Hanimpact cock, Ceof nte r Directresearch or tual Great Lakes conducted at the USDU.S. Dair y Forage Ris esbeing earch C enter Conference for this year, thus FRC, “U.S. Dairy Forage Research Keynotthe e Torealities pics: “U.Sof . Da iry Forage Research Center: Focusing on Impact”; avoiding continuCenter: Focusing “ T h e B a l e a g e B a l a n c e : M o i s t u r e , F e r m e ntation, an d Risks" on Impact,” and ing covid travel and gathering “The Baleage Balance: Moisture, restrictions. virtual platform Other speakersThe include: Dr. Kim Cassida, MSU; Phil Kaatz, MSUE; and forage producers Tom Cook, Fermentation, and Risks.” Dr. Kim Mike Lauwers, Jerry Lindquist, and John Strieter gives us the opportunity to presCassida, MSU Forage specialist, ent our a largerStraw; Hot Air in Forages; MSU Forage Research Otherinformation sessions topics are:to Value-added Update; will be giving an MSU Forage audience than usual.

Since we Dairy Grazing Industry Trends; Details for Forage Excellence; and Michigan Hay Supply Update Research update on recent cover have no travel, facility or lunch Registration required: https://events.anr.msu.edu/2021GLFGC/ crop grazing work as well as high expenses, the event is free of Please view registration page for full details. charge 2021 andincluded open to every- quality alfalfa, producers Mike Cost: in Free - no lunch Lauwers andcomputer John or Strieter will be link will be following via smartphone, tablet. one Webinar interested inemailed forages or registration! graz- Join covering topics on value-added ing. Michigan The conference is designed Forage Council Annual Meeting begins at 1:00 pm at the same zoom link! to help producers learn about new straw and hot air forages. MSU Extension Educator Phil Kaatz will and innovative ideas, approachbe covering “Details to Forage es, and solutions to challenges Excellence,” and Michigan Forage in the Great Lakes Regions’ forSecretary Forage For more information pleaseCouncil contact Tina at Lapeer MSU Extensionand at 810-667-0341 Michigan Forage Council age-based agriculture systems.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension Producer Jerry Lindquist will be programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender religion, age, height, weight,year disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, The keynoteidentity, speaker this giving a Michigan Hay Supply Upfamily status or veteran status. is Dr. Dennis Hancock, the new date. The Michigan Forage CounDirector of the US Dairy Forage cil Annual Meeting and elections Research Center in Madison, Wis- will be held immediately after the consin. Hancock was the longtime last presentation (approximately

We are seeking sponsors for this year’s conference at a cost of $50.00 for each sponsor. We will recognize all sponsors during the conference and of course you and your company members may all participate for free on-line or via phone by signing up on the registration website. Complete details for participant and sponsorship registrations can be found at https://events.anr.msu. edu/2021GLFGC/. Please log-in and confirm your sponsorship by March 8 to guarantee your business is listed as a sponsor during the conference.

For more information, contact Phil Kaatz @ 810-667-0341 or kaatz@msu.edu, Kim Cassida @ cassida@msu.edu, or Kable Thurlow @ thurlowk@msu.edu or 989-426-7741.

Michigan Hay & Grazier

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2021 “Vir tual” Great Lakes Forage & Grazing Conference Webinar—Thursday, March 11, 2021 9:00 am—12 Noon EST Keynote Speaker : Dr. Dennis Hancock, Center Director U.S. Dair y Forage Research Center Keynote Topics: “U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center: Focusing on Impact”; “The Baleage Balance: Moisture, Fermentation, and Risks" Other speakers include: Dr. Kim Cassida, MSU; Phil Kaatz, MSUE; and forage producers Tom Cook, Mike Lauwers, Jerry Lindquist, and John Strieter Other sessions topics are: Value-added Straw; Hot Air in Forages; MSU Forage Research Update; Dairy Grazing Industry Trends; Details for Forage Excellence; and Michigan Hay Supply Update Registration required: https://events.anr.msu.edu/2021GLFGC/ Please view registration page for full details.

Cost: Free - no lunch included Webinar link will be emailed following registration! Join via smartphone, computer or tablet.

Michigan Annual Meeting willbegins start immediately the educational sessions at MichiganForage ForageCouncil Council Annual Meeting at 1:00 pm after at the same zoom link! the same Zoom link!

Michigan Forage Council

For more information please contact Tina at Lapeer MSU Extension at 810-667-0341

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.

Michigan Hay & Grazier

New

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M S U E x t e n s i o n A n n o u n c es O n l i n e S c h o o l f o r H ay G r ow e r s :

Hay Production 101 Join our team of MSUE Specialists and Educators in March to learn the ins and outs of hay production

by Kim Cassida, MSU Extension Forage & Cover Crop Specialist Year after year, the market for good hay in Michigan outstrips supply, leading to dependable prices for hay growers willing to put in the effort. Some row crop growers see an opportunity to add a new crop to their operation, while animal producers may want to grow their own forage so they have better control over nutritional quality. However, hay is a demanding crop and is not for everyone. As with any other

agricultural enterprise, there are many things to learn.

Michigan State University Extension has developed a new online school to help farmers interested in learning how to grow hay.

The main objective of our team of MSUE Specialists and Educators is to assist newcomers to the world of hay, but there is value here also for those looking to improve an existing hay operation. This is an online course taught as eight sessions using Zoom, every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30

pm in March, 2021.

There will be opportunity to ask questions and interact with instructors in each live session. Topics covered will include: • Economics & Marketing • What to Grow: Species, Varieties & Forage Quality • Fertility and Soil Management • Field Establishment and Renovation • Pest Management: Weeds, Insects, Disease • Harvest Management: all the steps from timing the harvest to post-harvest processing & storage • Baleage The cost of the course is $85.

Pre-registration is required and is available here.

Michigan Hay & Grazier

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Young Dairy Couple Does What Others Said Couldn’t Be Done

by Bev Berens They bought the farm, switched to a grazing dairy, built a house, had a baby, built a new free stall barn set up for robots, and installed robots in a matter of four years. To say that Dave and Kat Mageean are mentally and physically tired for now, is an understatement.

“The mental part is harder than the physical part,” Dave said.

“You’ve got to keep busy or you will blow your mind out.”

With the acquisition of Lambarth Farms, LLC of Ann Arbor in January of 2017, the pair had a lot of ground to cover once they took over the farm from Kat’s parents as fourth generation farmers.

Covering a lot of ground is not new to the couple who met while working in New Zealand---she as a dairy veterinarian, he as a contractor for a dairy AI company.

Dave is a native of Ireland with a degree in engineering but a love for cows. Kat is an MSU graduate and practicing dairy veterinarian since 2007.

The robot Installation is the most recent puzzle piece set into place. The herd and their owners settled into the new quarters in August and are enjoying the barn they designed especially for cow comfort. “We have traveled a lot and have ideas from many different farms,” Kat said.

They worked to incorporate some things that worked well on other farms with ideas of their own. “Sometimes marrying ideas together didn’t work like we thought they would, and we did some design on the fly,” Dave added. The barn will house up to 100 cows; milking animals are on one side of the curtained building

Dave and Kat pause to enjoy the new freestall and robot barn on their Washtenaw County farm with their two year-old daughter Annie. (Photo courtesy of Framed, by Rachel Kohler) and steam up cows on the other side. The ceiling is designed for cross ventilation. Milking cows have around the clock access to the robots using a free flow system.

“We are cow motivated people; we try to do everything we can to make the cows comfortable and healthy, so that they can produce the amount of milk that we want them to do,” Kat said.

The couple turned to rotational grazing early after buying the

farm. Many people said it couldn’t be done. “People said we were mad, pointing their finger into my face and said I was an idiot,” Dave says. “But it is working for us.”

The foundations for their rotational grazing experiences were laid in New Zealand and Ireland.

Converting that knowledge to a system that works in Michigan’s climate is a continual learning process. Brooke Wilke and Howard Straub III of Kellogg Biological

continued on page 7

Michigan Hay & Grazier

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Details for Excellence in Forages Why do some farms make money while some farms lose money?

by Phil Kaatz In every part of agriculture there are farms and farmers that excel in what they do. Have you ever asked yourself why there are fewer and fewer farms each and every year? Farming is a tough business. The markets continuously change and if you do not keep up, your farm could be terminal. Year in and year out, the best farmers continually separate themselves from their peers by having above average yields, high quality crops or livestock, seek to do things in an environmentally responsible way, and ultimately achieve above average profitability in their farming operation. I have asked many farmers, what is their secret? How do they always seem to hit it right? The answers varied between farmers, but there seems to be a common theme or thread between the top and the rest. The reasons below are not in any particular order but can be adapted by any farmer that is open to improvement.

Reason #1 Farmers that do well have a plan that is written down...and as my mother used to tell me, “have a plan and stick to it!” They take the time to thoughtfully look over their plan on a regular basis.

Many have great intentions when formulating a plan, but then fail to follow up and make any necessary adjustments due to changes that might have occurred. It can be difficult to stay on task and look at the long-term strategy without getting sidetracked.

Remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint. To put this into words, keep your eye on prize and stay focused!

Reason #2 Farmers that consistently make

money, know their numbers. They know their costs for labor (including their own), machinery, land, inputs, planting and harvesting costs, and usually market above their cost of production. Even in years of disaster, or rising cost that result in a farm loss, profitable farms use the income tax tools available to help spread the losses over several years. For large, planned expenditures it is important to count the cost prior to spending the money. For example, where I live in the Thumb of Michigan, the crop farmers know that subsurface drain tile pays every year. On soils that are not tiled or rented, farmers need to decide if it’s economical to continue to farm it or let it go if it doesn’t fit their plan.

Reason #3 The most profitable farmers are prepared and ready to go when the season starts. Breaking news! Spring will be here and some farms will be scrambling to be ready to go. Those that are prepared will have their equipment clean, greased, repaired, and ready. All supplies will be available when needed. In the world of forages, you never get over a bad start when seeding a new field.

When soil conditions are right, the best farmers are planting. The same is true when forages are ready to be harvested. They cut on time.

Reason #4 This could easily be the most important and the most common reason given by farmers when they consider why they do well.

They pay attention to the details.

They do this for all aspects of the farming operation. Examples include: scouting fields for problems before problems reach

economic thresholds, making sure the soils are not too wet, or too dry; keeping fertility up to date without overspending; planting is more precise with the right depth and seeding rate; weed control is done on time using the right herbicide for the job, while keeping an eye on controlling herbicide resistant weeds; harvesting on time for the best combination of yield and quality.

Reason #5 Great farmers know what they know and also what they don’t know and surround themselves with good people to add the strengths of others into their team.

Even when we seem to get a good handle on something, it changes.

They use trusted resources and learn from others. Technology is not seen as something to run away from but is embraced and incorporated into the operation when it makes sense. The best never stop learning. they do their homework, and never seem to be satisfied with what has been done compared to what can be done.

Reason #6 The last reason I want to consider is mindset. It may not necessarily be found on the most profitable, efficient, or the most beautiful farm. However, I think it’s found on the healthiest farms.

The healthiest and possibly the most satisfied farmers are those that know they cannot control everything. As one of my farmer friends reminds me, “it’s not worth it to get worried about the weather during planting season. It may be late, but we’ll get it.” He says the same thing about the harvest despite nasty weather that may linger for weeks.

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Michigan Hay & Grazier

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Become a member of the Michigan Forage Council TODAY! Benefits of membership in MFC include: - Power to have your voice heard in setting local & national forage research, extension priorities & legislation

Find membership details HERE

- - -

Michigan Forage Council

Subscription to Michigan Hay & Grazier newsletter containing the latest forage news for Michigan Reduced registration fees for MFC-sponsored educational events like farm tours, pasture walks, meetings & conferences Affiliate membership in MFC’s parent organization, the American Forage & Grassland Council, which includes: - Subscription to email updates from AFGC - Subscription to the industry magazine Progressive Forage - Subscription to the industry magazine Hay & Forage Grower - Access to members-only section of the AFGC website, where you can find a membership directory, written & video Conference Proceedings & other useful resources - Reduced registration fees for AFGC events like national conferences & tours

Michigan Hay & Grazier

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Young Dairy Couple Does What Others Said Couldn’t Be Done continued from page 4 Station have been and continue to be great sources of grazing information and education along with members of the Grassroots Grazing Group with dairy members from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The Mageean’s hosted the group at their farm this summer where members walked the pastures, barns and milking facilities, giving honest feedback and suggestions on what the pair are doing well, and what can be done better. Eventually, the couple will open their financial and production record books to the group, as most group members do. Members critique and ask hard questions, all in the name of continuously paring down expenses and building up profit.

It may seem that opening the books to other farmers is akin to walking into town wearing no clothes. Kat and Dave see it differently. “We are really open to change and advice where I think a lot of farmers are not,” Kat said.

“We know that real numbers are going to help our business in the long run; it’s important to run our business accurately.”

Pasture mixes include orchard grass, ryegrass, clovers, alfalfa, fescue, festulolium, and Italian ryegrass, a high sugar grass.

The mix is constantly evolving to achieve the sweet spot between pasture and milk yields. The cows get fresh paddock every twelve hours and may get supplemental feed at different times through the year.

Herd genetics started with the

Holsteins already on the farm, a closed herd in excellent health.

They are crossing the Holsteins with Jersey, Ayrshire, and Norwegian Red to build a herd with smaller stature, high components and excellent feet and legs that fit into a grazing robotic dairy.

Kat maintains her off farm job as a veterinarian to support the family. Their proximity to Ann Arbor opens possibilities for value added enterprises yet to be explored and eventually added to the system. “We have been busy putting the barn and infrastructure together to where we need to be,” Dave said. “The next step is to research where to further ourselves more, but we are a little tired at the moment.”

“It will always be a work in progress,” Kat added.

Details for Excellence in Forages continued from page 5 Well, I think that farmer certainly gets it! Farm stress is very high in today’s environment.

Taking care of crops and animals is hard on farmers and agribusiness professionals. Caring for your own health and wellness in

this high-stress profession is often overlooked but is just as critical as caring for your farm business.

Considering the stressors and uncertainty that every farmer faces, dealing with stress can overwhelm a person. Help is available.

If you or someone you know is feeling stressed in an unhealthy

way, there are excellent resources available for farmers today. Michigan State University Extension has tools available at this website: Managing Farm Stress For more information contact Phil Kaatz, MSU Extension at 810338-5242 or at kaatz@msu.edu.

Events Calendar

March 2 – March 25, 2021: Hay Production 101, Tuesdays & Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m.

EST

March 11: Virtual Great Lakes Forage & Grazing Conference Webinar, 9 a.m. – 12 Noon EST

March 11: Michigan Forage Council Annual Meeting, Immediately following the Conference Webinar

Michigan Hay & Grazier

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MICHIGAN FORAGE COUNCIL

Michigan Forage Council Hay and Grazier is the membership newsletter for the Michigan Forage Council. It is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November. The publisher assumes no responsibility for accuracy or validity of claims. Brand names are used for educational purposes only. No endorsement is intended or implied.

Advertising

Full page............................$100.00 Half Page .............................$60.00 Quarter Page .......................$35.00 Business Card .....................$25.00 Business Card ............ $75.00/year Classified Ads ..... $10.00/35 words Please always send a printed copy of your ad. Please submit payment with ads.

Deadlines: Deadline for all copy in ads is the 10th of the month preceding publication. Deadlines will be Dec. 10th, March 10th, June 10th and September 10th.

Classified Ads: Flat rate of $10.00 per ad per issue (limit of 35 words) Payment: Checks payable to Michigan Forage Council. Payment is due within 30 days of publication.

Address Correspondence to: Kim Cassida 1066 Bogue St. Rm A486 East Lansing, MI 48824 cassida@msu.edu 517-353-0278 Melissa Hart 517-398-1957 farm.writer@hotmail.com MFC Website: www.michiganforagecouncil.com MSU Forage Connection website: www.forage/msu.edu

President Gary Carmichael (2020) 13247 - 60th Ave. Evart, MI 49631 231-734-3364 231-629-1533 (cell) gary@carmichaelfarms.com

Treasurer Kim Cassida (ex officio) 1066 Bogue St, Rm A486 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824 304-575-6099 cassida@msu.edu

Vice President Mike Lauwers (2020) 3148 Harvey Rd. Capac, MI 48014 810-395-4968 or 810-343-0671 lauwers803@gmail.com

Secretary Jerry Lindquist (ex officio) 15680 190th Ave. LeRoy, MI 49655 231-912-0103 cell lindquis@msu.edu

DIRECTORS Steve Adsmond (2021) 126 S Stewart, Fremont, MI 49412 231-740-7076 • adsmond@comcast.net

Rodney Oats (2023) 11760 Hartley Rd., Waldron, MI 49288 517-795-6237 • Oates_34@yahoo.com

Boyd Byelich (2023) 21090 M68, Ste. B, Onaway, MI. 49765 307-286-4807 • Boyd.byelich@usda. gov

Phil Smith (2022) 4707 East Price Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879 989-314-3018 • qasmichigan@gmail. com

Gary Carmichael (2023) 13247 60th Ave., Evart, MI 49631 231-734-3364 • 231-629-1533 cell gary@carmichaelfarms.com

Terry Stiles (2021) 2968 Tag Alder Trail, Gaylord, MI 49735 800-888-2986 • 989-390-2669 cell terrystiles@ciscoseeds.com

Dr. Kim Cassida (ex officio) 1066 Bogue St, Room A486 East Lansing, MI 48824 517-355-0271 ext 1194 • 304-575-6099 cell Tom Cook (2021) 11811 Dexter Trail, Pewamo, MI 48873 517-449-0322 cell cookdairyfarmer@gmail.com Dick Divelbiss (2021) 8929 Olmstead Rd., Hubbardston, MI 48845 989-637-4149 • dickdiv@aol.com Mike Lauwers (2023) 3148 Harvey Rd., Capac, MI 48014 810-395-4968 • 810-343-0671 cell lauwers803@gmail.com Jerry Lindquist (ex officio) 15680 190th Ave., LeRoy, MI 49655 231-912-0103 cell • lindquis@msu.edu Ray Moses (2022) 230 S Maxfield, Brighton, MI 48814 248-894-2012 • ray@raymoses.com

John Strieter (2021) 8334 Campbell Rd., Bay Port, MI 48720 989-551-8334 strieterhayfarms@yahoo.com Jeremy Sweeten (2022) 12248 S Bound Rd., Dafter, MI 49724 765-427-7966 jeremysweeten@ciscoseeds.com Paul Wagner (2022) 5899 C Rd 633, Grawn, MI 49637 231-642-6498 paul@wagnerfarmsmi.com Phil Kaatz (ex officio) 1800 Imlay City Rd., Suite 1 Lapeer, MI 48446 810-667-0341 • 810- 338-5242 cell kaatz@msu.edu Kable Thurlow (ex officio) 555 W. Cedar Ave., Suite A Gladwin, MI 48624 989-426-7741 • thurlowk@msu.edu Melissa Hart (newsletter editor) 517-398-1957 • farm.writer@hotmail.com