Online Hay Production 101 short course is back by popular demand in 2026

Kim Cassida<cassida@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - December 18, 2025

Join our team of Michigan State University Extension specialists and educators online in February and March 2026 to learn the ins and outs of growing, harvesting and marketing your hay crop.

Decorative image. — Photo by Kim Cassida, MSU Extension

Year after year, the market for good hay in Michigan outstrips supply, leading to dependable prices for hay growers who put in the time it takes to manage this demanding crop. Row crop growers see an opportunity to add a perennial hay rotation that is in demand and can provide its own nitrogen when alfalfa and clovers are included. Dairy, beef, sheep and goat producers and horse owners may want to grow their own hay so they can control supply and nutritional quality. However, hay is a challenging crop that is not for everyone. As with any other agricultural enterprise, there are many things to learn.

Michigan State University Extension is once again holding Hay Production 101, an online short course to help farmers interested in learning how to grow hay. The main objective of our team of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension specialists and educators is to assist newcomers to the world of hay, but there is value here for those looking to improve an existing hay operation. Management recommendations will focus on the greater Michigan and Great Lakes region.

This is an online course taught as six sessions using Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7–8:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Sessions may be attended in real time and will also be recorded for future viewing by registrants. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and interact with instructors in each live session.

Topics covered will include:

Industry overview
Planning to meet your farm goals
Selecting appropriate forage species and varieties for hay
Soil fertility and health management for hay
Hayfield establishment and renovation
Hay harvest management
Post-harvest hay processing and storage
Farm safety
Pest management for hayfields: Weeds, insects and diseases
Hay quality testing
Cost of production and hay marketing

The cost of the course is $85. Pre-registration is required in order to receive the session links.

For more information about the course, contact Kim Cassida at cassida@msu.edu.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).