Silage Management
The impact of corn silage on a dairy’s bottom line is a year-round priority. From field agronomics in the summer and packing at harvest to nutritional balancing and ROI analysis during the winter feeding months, silage management demands constant strategic adjustment. This collection of insights explores how to optimize forage performance, milk production and cow health.
Dairy farms are a hustling and bustling place. Last year, the Berning family in Illinois opened their dairy farm barn doors and offer Farm Camp for kids of all ages. Camp includes farm chores, scavenger hunts and more.
While dishing up meals in Styrofoam to-go containers happens simultaneously with the roar of a diesel tractor, signing its harvest season, some farm families go with plan B.
An often-over-looked expense is having excess corn silage inventory. The decision has to be made soon, when you are chopping—to sell it or use it on the farm.
Are you a silage-making pro? Even veteran silage growers will want to read Dr. Donna Amaral-Phillips’ tips and tricks to help make the most out of this year’s corn silage crop.
The high temperatures and lack of rain that face south-central Missouri have not only played havoc on Michelle Eilenstine’s mind, but also with her corn crop.
As we soon will be flipping the calendar to August, you likely already have your chopper in the shop. Mike North, president with ever.ag says there is a narrow window to get things priced in terms of silage.
Putting a value on corn silage, even when it never leaves the farm is also necessary. Gary Sipiorski says that most farms do not put any kind of a cost on planting corn for silage – and they really ought to.
Dairyland Labs has announced that it has begun adding analysis data for chloride by Near Infrared Spectroscopy to forage reports.
The recent historic high milk prices have been overshadowed by the feed costs that continue to climb. However, producer, Ryan Junio, owner of Four J Jerseys, number one concern is water scarcity facing California.
While corn silage harvest may feel like it is a ways away, research shows choppers may be hitting the fields 40-50 days after pollination.
Summer’s heat brings with it plenty of challenges for dairies. Among them: it’s a favorite time of the year for molds and mycotoxins.
Centered around, “A sustainable, profitable and enjoyable future in farming,” Lely invested $23 million to support its long-term vision. Recently it held a grand opening of its new state-of-the-art business complex.
The Neuenschwander brothers have thrived during a tough dairy economy because of their ability to maximize cow comfort and produce excellent genetics on their Indiana dairy.
Ongoing issues with grain moving to areas of the Southwest and West due to delays in rail service has California dairy producer Darlene Lopes frustrated. She worries that soon no corn will be available to feed her herd.
While feed costs have significantly increased year-over-year, leading dairy nutrition consultants says don’t shortchange feeding heifers, even if they are viewed as an expense for your dairy.
A more traditional approach to feeding ration elements separately could help address concerns related to overhead costs, labor shortages, and fuel usage.
The biggest conversation in 2022 for McCarty Family Farms, LLC has been centered around finding a balance of taking care of their cattle and land and avoiding any catastrophic mistakes.
Once farmers get to the field, they will have plenty of tractor time to think about all the challenges that face them. Reach out to your dairy team leaders to to maximize your dairy’s profit while you’re in the field.
Rising early to feed his cows is part of Wisconsin dairy farmer, Chris Pollack’s morning routine. He paused long enough from his routine to go on live network television to talk about issues that impact his dairy.
Like it or not, feed prices have dramatically risen year-over-year, and leading experts advise producers to gain some control over their feed costs.
The challenges that farmers face can be overwhelming. Factor in Mother Nature’s wild ways, and there is only so much a farmer can do. Texas dairy farmer, John Boer worries about the outlook of his corn.
Narrow profit margins mean there’s no room for error when it comes to planting corn silage seed this spring.
From the adaptation of technology to increasing efficiencies and overcoming challenges that seem to come at a fast pace, a producer must sharpen more than their pencils to continue in this tough dairy industry.
Just announced, a broad-based agricultural service cooperative specializing in laboratory testing, AgSource Cooperative Services, acquired Dairyland Laboratories, Inc. Agronomy Services Division in Stratford, Wisconsin.
You work too hard to pay for feed commodities to allow them to literally blow away.
JPMorgan voices concern that a spike in energy prices from the Russia-Ukraine crisis would hinder the economy. Dairy producers are wondering how much more inputs will rise, as a $20 plus milk check only goes so far.
USDA’s Milk Production report illustrated year-over-year declines in both January milk production and cow numbers. Although South Dakota hummed a different tune, leading year-over-year milk volume growth, up 18.3%.
Distinct drawbacks make BMR corn silage far from the all-encompassing silver bullet it was once hoped to be.
TMR consistency and composition are important to efficient and reliable nutrient delivery in lactating cow rations. But the impact of those factors actually can span much further.