Management, Planning Key to Forage Quality and Production

In every aspect of dairy farming, details matter. As producers are adding more crop and grass options to their forage mix, the details matter even more to produce the quantity and quality of feed needed for a dairy operation

Matthew Oehmichen, part owner of Short Lane Ag Supply, and John Goeser, director of nutritional research and innovation with Rock River Lab, Inc. have been regular guests on The Dairy Signal® presented by Professional Dairy Producers (PDPW), leading interactive conversations with dairy producers about making the most of their forage crops and rations and effectively using data to make the best nutrition and ration decisions.

Both regularly provide recommendations as growers make plans for forage and silage crops for upcoming growing seasons and beyond.

A prevalent trend is addingcool-season grasses to alfalfa with new seedings to reduce winter-killed hay fields, according to Oehmichen.

“In Wisconsin, a lot of alfalfa got snuffed out from ice and slow thaw in spring 2023, setting back a lot of the hay fields that looked great going into the 2022 winter months,” he said. “Having a good concentration of high-quality grass like orchardgrass, tall fescue, meadow fescue or perennial ryegrass will help alfalfa stands persist with the same or enhanced quality.”

Goeser pointed out that management is increasingly important with grasses and winter forages.

“When grass converts from vegetative to heading out in the reproductive state, the quality drops quickly,” said Goeser “Grasses aren’t nearly as forgiving as alfalfa is with quality in advancing maturity.

Managing and micro-managing fertility with forage crops is also key, said Oehmichen. Potassium should not be overlooked in forage crops, including corn silage, grass hay and alfalfa.

“Potassium is linked to plant tissue, the cellular-wall development that influences tissue growth and its ability to withstand infections and disease,” said Oehmichen. “When you take a cutting, you’re not just taking the plant, but all the nutrients it took from the field, especially potassium. Without nutrient planning and/or skipping fertilizer applications, you can short your forage in both the near and long term.”

Adding micronutrients, such as sulfur, calcium and boron to fertility management also can give growers a boost for relatively low cost. For example, sulfur influences chlorophyll and photosynthesis, processing proteins and even nodulation in legumes like soybeans, alfalfa and clover, and comes in a variety of products.

“Having applications of micronutrients added to liquid, foliar or dry fertilizer formulations can elevate your plants’ processes and development without a lot of hassle,” Oehmichen said.

Ensuring that all members of your dairy’s team are focused on the productivity and quality of forage crops is also key.

“With tighter margins, plant health and productivity are even more important to squeeze out every bit of digestible energy from each acre,” said Goeser. “Team up with your agronomist, nutritionist and other advisors and encourage them to share resources and data and work together to help you make the best decisions for your acres and your operation.”

For more on forage production, read:

• Take a Better Hay Sample with These 8 Tips
• Forage Myths Are Costly: Forage Quality Impacts Your Bottom Line
• How to Price Standing Hay