As the old saying goes, corn is corn is corn, right? Let's take a closer look.Traditionally, the variation in nutrient composition within dry or high-moisture corns was assumed to be minimal. It was common...
Alfalfa is one of the most important crops grown in North America, with its market value ranked right behind corn and soybeans. Maintaining a high-quality alfalfa stand results in higher yields and enhanced...
Grass deserves a second look. With its more highly digestible fiber, grass provides a great mix for rations heavy with corn silage and alfalfa. Grasses' agronomic benefits are an added bonus. When adding...
Copper Sulfate Use May Bite Us Good crop and hoof health are possible with copper sulfate use. However, future regulations remain the wildcard. When making farm decisions, what might seem like a good idea...
Wide rows, quick dry-down, same-day harvest leads to more milk potential. Forage quality drives milk production. And the only measure of forage quality that truly matters is the quality of forage that...
Disk mowers can devour grass yields. Improved harvest speeds and reduced equipment repairs have made disk mowers incredibly popular. However, if you have grass-heavy stands, use caution in the ability...
New tool better estimates alfalfa quality. Relative forage quality (RFQ) is the new standard to measure alfalfa quality. It replaces Relative Feed Value (RFV) which was a good tool in ranking forages for...
The time is now to test your manure for nitrogen; the fertilizer savings could surprise you. The author is a nutrient management educator for Michigan State University Extension. For more information,...
Fiber level (NDF) still rules. Compare digestibility values to the average for the lab. He acknowledges the useful input of Dave Mertens at USDA's Dairy Forage Research Center. Fiber and starch digestibility...
The author works with Oak Point Agronomics, Hammond, N.Y, and is formerly with the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, N.Y. Miner Institute's dairy operation includes a slurry manure...
New dairies aren't drawing more of area water supplies. Adding cows hasn't changed Texas Panhandle cropping. As the dairy industry has moved west, it has become more dependent upon groundwater rather...
The goal of packing a bunker silo is to get high-quality feed in the smallest amount of space. Shape the pile correctly, blade thin layers, and use adequate tractor weight, says Lucas Vander Kinter (shown...
Let's Improve Bunker Management Many farms still miss the mark when it comes to managing bunkers. Are you packing properly? A dozen years ago I was involved with a field study in eastern Wisconsin with...
You need to remain vigilant as warmer spring weather can cause shelled corn to deteriorate in bins and other storage units. With the late fall harvest and need to dry corn rapidly, shelled corn may not...
Learning from history: Manure's value is ageless Let's continue the synergism of crops and livestock. By Natalie Rector The author is the senior nutrient management educator for Michigan State University...
Some people argue that, while fermentation analysis is interesting, it is of little value, providing no information that can be used directly for ration balancing