Dairy Forage Seminar Schedule Announced
Seven forage seminars offered at 2013 World Dairy Expo.
Source: World Dairy Expo
Dairy forage growers are invited to attend the World Forage Analysis Superbowl Dairy Forage Seminars Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis.
Industry experts will present a series of educational programs geared towards assisting farmers with improved forage growing, storage and feeding techniques. These seminars are included with World Dairy Expo admission and will take place on the Dairy Forage Stage, in the Arena Building, near the World Analysis Forage Superbowl displays.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Dan Undersander, Research and Extension Agronomist
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wis.
1:30 p.m. - Reducing Heat Damage in Hay and Haylage
Dan Undersander, Research and Extension Agronomist
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wis.
Much hay is put up too wet, which results in heating and a loss in total digestible nutrients (TDN). Minimizing these losses will improve feed quality and reduce the amount of concentrate needed. Forage Extension specialist Dan Undersander gives some pointers on how to reduce heat damage.
Thursday, Oct. 3
Rick Grant, President
William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, N.Y.
Are you analyzing forages for physically effective fiber and fiber digestibility? Both are important for creating high-forage, low-grain diets that support high milk production. Rick Grant will discuss methods of fiber analysis and the desired nutrient and digestibility profiles to improve the response of your cows to forage in the diet.
1:30 p.m. - Have You Kept Pace with Improved Forage Testing Options?
Neal Martin, retired Center Director
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, Wis.
Friday, Oct. 4
10 a.m. - Plastic Covers and Silage Density: What’s New and Basic in Making Good Silage?
Richard Muck, Agricultural Engineer
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, Wis.
Packing and covering are key steps to keeping losses low in bunker and pile silos. That's not news, but there are new products to improve either covering or packing. Are they worth it? Richard Muck, an agricultural engineer specializing in silage management at the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, will share how some of these products have fared in recent research.
1:30 p.m. - Using Propionic Acid to Preserve More Hay
Wayne Coblentz, Research Dairy Scientist/Agronomist
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Marshfield, Wis.
Historically, propionic acid-based preservatives for hay have demonstrated effectiveness within research studies, but these studies mostly have relied on small rectangular bales to test various product formulations. Recent studies with large round bales have been disappointing, but other studies utilizing propionic acid-based preservatives on large rectangular bales have produced excellent results. Wayne Coblentz, a dairy scientist with the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, will review research results obtained with a variety of bale types and offer practical advice on when and how to use propionic acid to preserve hay.
Saturday, Oct. 5
10 a.m. - Corn Silage Yield Drivers and Profit