Indiana Forage Council

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Indiana Forage Council Indiana Forage Council is dedicated to:
Research and education for profitable forage production and utilization. Purdue University
W. Lafayette, IN 47907-2054

The Indiana Forage Council promotes forage production, research, management, utilization, marketing, and professional development opportunities for our members. The IFC is a non-profit organization run by volunteers and organized through:

Dr. Keith Johnson
Department of Agronomy
Lilly Hall of Life Sciences
915 W State St.

10/07/2026

The next Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center field day is October 24 and will focus on selecting replacement heifers. πŸ„ Learn how genomic testing, live animal evaluation and performance data can help guide decisions about which heifers to keep and which bulls may be the best fit for your herd. Contact Jason Tower at 812-678-4427 or [email protected] to register.

Survey of August 2026: Making or Breaking Field Crops?Shaun CasteelAugust 21, 2026 Survey link: https://purdue.ca1.qualt...
08/25/2026

Survey of August 2026: Making or Breaking Field Crops?
Shaun Casteel
August 21, 2026

Survey link: https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Xid0TER5lkf4jk

The 2026 growing season started and continues with intense rain events that dropped 3 to 6 inches in a single day, which was impressive in its own right. Unfortunately, these intense storms have continued all season long. Historic rains and floods settled across many counties of Indiana in the past few weeks with single events dumping 8 to 15 inches of rain. The effect on corn and soybeans at this point of the season is unchartered waters.

Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey to provide insight to the impact to your fields/area and distribution of the extreme weather in August 2026. We welcome all responses from those who were fortunate to get timely rains to those affected by straight line winds to those in the epicenter of historic floods. We would like to partner with you to track crop response to this historic weather. If you would like assistance in the field, you can provide your contact information at the end of the survey (closes August 31st).

If you have agriculture damage, contact the local USDA Farm Service Agency (www.fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator).

Our thoughts are with all of our livestock and forage producers (and all others) that have been affected by the flooding...
08/17/2026

Our thoughts are with all of our livestock and forage producers (and all others) that have been affected by the flooding throughout Indiana. As the waters recede, this article from the University of Georgia Extension has helpful information on how we should manage forages including pastures, hay fields, silage fields, and hay bales following natural disasters.

https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1165/dealing-with-pasture-hay-feed-and-livestock-losses-after-significant-weather-events/

🌱 Ready to get more from your pastures? πŸ„πŸ‘πŸWhether you're just getting started with managed grazing or looking to streng...
07/23/2026

🌱 Ready to get more from your pastures? πŸ„πŸ‘πŸ

Whether you're just getting started with managed grazing or looking to strengthen your grazing knowledge, this 2-day Managed Grazing Workshop is designed with you in mind!

Registration: https://mms.indianabeef.org/members/evr/reg_event.php?evid=62871579&orgcode=INBC

πŸ“… August 28 | 1:00–6:00 p.m.
πŸ“… August 29 | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
πŸ“ Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC) – Dubois, Indiana

Learn practical, research-based strategies that can help improve pasture health, forage production, and livestock performance. Topics include:
🌿 Pasture evaluation
🌱 Plant identification
πŸ“ Paddock design
πŸ€ Forage species selection
🚰 Fence and water systems
🌎 Basic soil management
πŸ„ Livestock nutritional needs
⚠️ Plant-induced livestock disorders
…and much more!

This workshop is a great opportunity to connect with fellow producers and gain tools you can apply to your operation right away.

Hosted by the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, Indiana Forage Council, Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, and Purdue Extension.









06/20/2026

Test your forage knowledge each day this week with "Guess the Forage." Answers will be posted each day at 7:30 p.m.

Here are your first clues:
I work very well as a supplemental warm season pasture forage.
I am a summer annual.
I should not be grazed when young, drought-stressed, frosted, or damaged due to the potential for prussic acid poisoning.

I am Sorghum-Sudangrass.

πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈπŸŒ± Indiana's Forage Superheroes πŸŒ±πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈSome superheroes leave their mark not only in the fields of today, but in the fo...
06/20/2026

πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈπŸŒ± Indiana's Forage Superheroes πŸŒ±πŸ¦Έβ€β™‚οΈ

Some superheroes leave their mark not only in the fields of today, but in the forage varieties that will benefit producers for years to come. Dr. Sam Stratton is one of those heroes.

Throughout his career as a forage breeder, Dr. Stratton has dedicated his work to improving the grasses and legumes that serve as the foundation of livestock agriculture. His research and breeding efforts have helped develop forage varieties with improved productivity, persistence, quality, and adaptability, providing lasting benefits to farmers, livestock producers, and the forage industry.

While many people see the hayfields and pastures that support livestock, few realize the years of research, evaluation, and dedication required to develop improved forage varieties. Dr. Stratton's work has helped ensure that producers have access to forages that perform better under a variety of growing conditions, supporting both farm profitability and environmental stewardship.

Known for his passion for forage science and his commitment to advancing agricultural knowledge, Dr. Stratton has shared his expertise with producers, researchers, students, and industry professionals alike. His contributions have strengthened the connection between scientific research and practical application in the field.

The impact of his work can be found across countless acres of pasture and hay ground where improved forage genetics help livestock producers grow more nutritious feed, build healthier grazing systems, and manage their land more effectively.

As we celebrate National Forage Week, we recognize Dr. Sam Stratton as one of Indiana's true Forage Superheroes. Thank you for your dedication to forage research, your commitment to innovation, and your lasting contributions to the forage industry.

πŸ’š Leave a comment below and share how Dr. Stratton's research, breeding work, mentorship, or educational efforts have influenced your farm, career, or understanding of forage agriculture.










We may be at the end of National Forage Week 2026, but the benefits of the Indiana Forage Council continue! Throughout t...
06/20/2026

We may be at the end of National Forage Week 2026, but the benefits of the Indiana Forage Council continue! Throughout the year, our members receive a large range of benefits, from networking with other ag professionals to gaining insights from grazing events.

If you enjoyed learning about forages and their benefits this week, join the Indiana Forage Council today!

https://indianaforage.org

06/20/2026

Test your forage knowledge each day this week with "Guess the Forage." Answers will be posted each day at 7:30 p.m.

Here are your first clues:
I work very well as a supplemental warm season pasture forage.
I am a summer annual.
I should not be grazed when young, drought-stressed, frosted, or damaged due to the potential for prussic acid poisoning.

What is this forage?

πŸπŸ‘ Goats and sheep love forage-based diets!Pastures, browse plants, legumes, and quality hay help small ruminants stay h...
06/20/2026

πŸπŸ‘ Goats and sheep love forage-based diets!

Pastures, browse plants, legumes, and quality hay help small ruminants stay healthy and productive. Grazing systems can also help manage weeds and support sustainable land use.

National Forage Week celebrates all the ways grasses and legumes support livestock agriculture β€” big and small! 🌱






06/19/2026

Test your forage knowledge each day this week with "Guess the Forage." Answers will be posted each day at 7:30 p.m.

I am a cool season grass and can act as an annual or perennial.
I am quick to get established as pasture, hay and turf.
I don't handle high temperatures or drought well.

The answer is Perennial Ryegrass.

Address

915 W State St
West Lafayette, IN
47907

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