Drought-stressed corn can be a very good forage source if harvested properly.  On the other hand, it can be a complete train wreck if harvested incorrectly.  Timing is critical, and it is very important that one does not wait too long when making the decision to harvest drought stressed corn as silage vs. waiting for […]

Harvesting quality forages is vital to the profitability and production of your livestock enterprise.   Even under good weather conditions, harvesting and storing high quality feeds can be a challenge.  Preservatives can help you harvest better forage, reducing nutrient loss in your feeds once you’ve placed them into storage.  They work by inhibiting or reducing the […]

Your safety and your employees’ safety should be top priority, even during busy seasons such as corn silage harvesting. Here are some tips you can take back to the farm with you during corn silage season: Minimize the number of people on-foot and around areas where silage wagons, trucks, and pack tractors will be passing. […]

It is not too early to start planning for a successful corn silage harvest to ensure you maximize the value of the crop you raised.  In the May/June issue of Dairy Herd Management, Dr. Enrique Schcolnik stated four points to help achieve this goal. Harvest at 32%-36% Dry Matter (64%-68% moisture). Higher moisture than this […]

Forage producers know they must pay attention to details when focusing on forage quality. Both old and new tools can be used to help improve forage Best Management Practices (BMP’s). Following are some of the most common, useful tools. Forage Analysis Reports: Fermented forage volatile fatty acid (VFA) analyses, coupled with forage nutrient measurements have […]

With early season drought conditions spreading from the eastern half of Montana, across the Dakotas, and into northwest Minnesota, finding high quality pasture and range land has been a challenge. With limited grazing resources, many cattle producers have been forced to turn to hay or other harvested forage much earlier in the season than usual. […]

Dairy producers understand the importance of feeding good quality forages.  Feed nutritionists are always looking for ways to use the best quality forages in diets of the highest performing groups of animals.  Digestible forages support high production by providing the necessary energy and nutrients.  They also aid in rumen health and help promote high intakes.  […]

There has been a lot of discussion with producers recently on cutting costs due to the lower cattle market. However some cost-cutting efforts can do you more harm than good in the long run. Silage Inoculants Maintaining quality feed stuffs and eliminating waste are huge opportunity areas that I see on a lot of operations. […]

What is the best way to set yourself up to succeed in 2017? Make great forage in 2016.  Nothing you will do after making corn silage in 2016 will bring you more profitability than focusing on great corn silage today.  Making corn silage is much more than just chopping. Planning for great silage starts today. […]

What does a bee, the flu, Bugs Bunny, and bacteria all have in common? Bugs! Although often enough, our first impression of a bug is usually something that isn’t favored, but there are also a lot of bugs that can help out our livestock production systems throughout the course of the year. A DFM is […]

Spring is my favorite time of year. Calves are on the ground or being born, feedlot cattle are hitting the trucks, and one can gauge how successful their year has been and be reminded of the beauty of new beginnings. Spring also brings rain, or at least it’s supposed to, so that we can produce […]