Harvest & Storage

When offering advice on dairy ration formulation, one of the phrases often mentioned is: “Test your forages.” Nutritionists seek to learn the nutrient composition in order to balance for energy, amino acids, fat and other nutrients.

The High Plains are a subregion of the Great Plains and occupy parts of eight states, including Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

There are several factors involved in getting hay dry. When we imagine perfect hay-drying weather, we think of things like a hot sunny day with a nice breeze. While these things are important, they are not all equally important.

There are many reasons to adopt baleage in the grazing system. “Round bale silage” is palatable, high-quality preserved forage that fits many grazing operations.

Walls or no walls? This question inevitably comes up when considering storage options for ensiled forages and grains. The answer, of course, is always, “It depends.”

“You only get one chance to make good silage,” says Tim Meister.

Meister, a division marketing manager for John Deere Ottumwa Works, has been analyzing corn silage for 20 years.