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.
The subject of floury corn versus vitreous corn for corn silage has been a controversial one in the past.
Silage-making season is upon us. It’s a harried time of year with all hands – and sometimes even extra hands – on deck.
Some of the most important decisions dairy farmers make in a year pivot around producing corn silage. This year the discussion also falls on how much inventory to have on hand, especially now with high feed prices.
With more producers growing their own feed this year, it’s important to ensure corn silage is harvested correctly to maximize quality and quantity.
A highly fatal intestinal disease of adult cows, Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome (HBS), draws concerns from dairy producers, veterinarians and nutritionists, as it is also known as the sudden death disease of dairy cattle.
A slight percentage decrease in shrink can have a big impact on profitability.
With grain markets continuing to march upwards, dairy producers are questioning how they will manage not only the increase to their feed bill, but a possible shortage of ingredients to feed their cows.
The skies might be blue, but the mood of some central California dairy producers has turned grey, as another season of drought returns to The Golden State.
Do not bet the farm on speculative options to lower feed cost. In 2021, double-down on forage quality.
If silage is not properly preserved it can easily spoil, causing palatability to plummet and your feed bill to skyrocket.
This year, 27% of dairy producers are likely to dedicate between 15%-50% to silage production.
Digestibility of corn silage can be impacted by many factors including genetics, fertility, growing conditions and spacing.
Should I change my silage feeding rate during winter?
Producers can learn about growing corn for silage and feeding corn silage to cattle.
Rapid growth of corn plants can lead to higher levels of lignification.
Late planting dates will impact quality and digestibility.
Chopping forage more finely can result in more consistent particle size and greater feed intakes.
Over the past few years, the dairy industry has made it a priority to feed higher forage diets with a correct balance of amino acids and an accurate ratio of lysine to methionine.
The Penn State Extension Dairy Team has been working with approximately 60 farms evaluating corn silage quality over time. Within farms, it is amazing how much change is occurring in fiber and starch content and digestibility.
Baleage offers a quality and inexpensive option for silage production.
One of the most important steps to make good silage is to cut it at the proper moisture level.
Get expansion plans started off right by making sure you have enough high quality silage.
Managing corn silage is top of mind for most producers this time of the year.
A perfect storm of winterkill and late first-crop harvest means many producers will be dealing with poor forages this feeding season.
There are necessary reasons to climb on the top of a silage pile or bunker. Before climbing to the peak, keep these safety tips in mind to help prevent falls.
Corn silage harvest is a critical time – you’ve got one shot to get it right for the season. Review tips on harvesting, chopping, packing and covering your corn silage.
It is inevitable that some silage losses will occur. Yet, producers can change the magnitude of these potential losses since some are avoidable.
In less-than-ideal harvest conditions, producers may be forced to ensile forages at high-moisture content. Early harvests — with moisture levels higher than 70% — can lead to increased effluent runoff.