By Garth Ruff, beef cattle and livestock marketing field specialist, OSU Extension; Ted Wiseman, OSU Extension, Perry County; and Stan Smith, program assistant, Fairfield County OSU Extension

“If you can’t change the situation, you adapt.” That’s a familiar mindset for many in agriculture, and it’s especially true in 2025. This growing season has brought another round of extreme weather across Ohio and the Midwest, making forage production unpredictable and challenging.

After what was considered one of the worst droughts in Ohio history in 2024, this year flipped the script with heavy spring rains and scattered summer storms. While the moisture helped pastures grow and may have allowed for multiple hay cuttings, it also made drying difficult. That led to inconsistent forage quality and a

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