Stretching feed supplies with straw

Nov 01, 2022

While a number of producers got the moisture they needed for a great hay crop, others are once again looking at tight feed supplies

Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist Travis Peardon says that may mean trying to stretch out feed by adding straw to the daily rations.

"Usually we want to feed some sort of a concentrate with straw just to bring up specifically those energy and protein levels. Then you have to look at the total ration and see what we need from minerals and vitamins just to make sure our cows requirements are being met."

Peardon suggests if you are trying to stretch out your feed, plan on using the straw first.

He says as we get further into winter, the cows get into that second and third trimester that calf is growing inside them.

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Video: Midwest Weather Shock: Flash Drought Turns Into Heavy Rain Threat This Week (2026 Forecast)

A rapidly changing Midwest weather pattern is unfolding in 2026 as areas that recently slipped into abnormal dryness and flash drought conditions are now facing the threat of heavy rain and repeated storm systems.

After a wet spring erased early drought conditions, regions across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Missouri have quickly dried out again since mid-to-late May. Soil moisture is dropping fast, and crops like corn and soybeans are beginning to feel the stress of rising temperatures and lack of consistent rainfall. Now, weather models show a major shift.

A developing system moving in from the Northern Plains is expected to bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall across the Midwest. While some areas may miss out, others could finally see much-needed relief from the growing dryness. In this video, we break down:

Current drought conditions across the Midwest

Why a flash drought is developing quickly

Timing and path of incoming storm systems

Which states are most likely to see heavy rain

How long this wet pattern could last

Will this rain end the drought or create new flooding risks? Watch the full forecast to find out.