Turning Row Crops Into Forage | April 24, 2026

Why It Matters

Switching to low‑input summer forages can offset rising cattle feed costs and boost farm profitability, offering a strategic hedge against volatile grain markets and tight beef supplies.

Key Takeaways

• Record cattle prices, tight inventories pressure producers' margins
• Converting row crops to summer forages reduces nitrogen use
• Annual forages need less labor and lower input costs
• Planting window mid‑June to early June, grazing 30‑45 days
• Evaluate per‑acre profit, include labor value, before switching

Summary

The video addresses how soaring cattle prices and constrained inventories are squeezing margins for producers who manage both crops and livestock. It proposes converting traditional row‑crop acres to summer annual forages as a risk‑management tool, especially as input costs—particularly nitrogen—remain high.

Key data points include that annual forages consume roughly one‑third the nitrogen of corn, require less labor, and can be planted mid‑June with a 30‑45‑day establishment period before grazing. Producers are urged to run a per‑acre profit analysis, factoring both input costs and the value of their own time, to determine whether a forage rotation outperforms row‑crop production.

The speaker highlights practical details: sorghum‑sudan varieties need 18‑inch height before grazing to avoid prussic acid toxicity, while pearl millet can be grazed at 12‑18 inches. He also notes that lower feedlot imports from Mexico and drought‑impacted western plains are driving beef prices higher, reinforcing the profitability of on‑farm forage.

Implications are clear: adopting low‑input forages can improve cash flow, reduce reliance on purchased feeds, and enhance overall farm profitability in a volatile market. Producers who quantify labor costs and choose the right forage species stand to gain a competitive edge.

Original Description

Cattle prices are at record highs. But inventories remain tight and input costs aren't going away. For producers who raise both crops and livestock, that creates some tough decisions. When margins get squeezed, it may be time to take a fresh look at how land is being used. One option, summer annual forages in place of traditional row crops.

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