Silage

Numerous studies have concluded that one of the most important influences on dairy farm profitability is forage quality: Higher-quality forage leads to a greater likelihood of a profitable dairy business. But what metrics of forage quality are most important?

A high-quality forage is the foundation for a successful dairy diet. One of the best ways to measure success is to test your forage before and after fermentation. Testing sets the stage for building a complete diet to keep your herd happy and healthy.

Managers and owners often have the tough decision of weighing what expenses must be reduced while still increasing profit and, above all, how to be most efficient. The initial impulse may be to cut some costs temporarily, but this may lead to long-term consequences, especially in terms of milk peak, persistence and total yield.

The ability to harvest moist forage as haylage gives forage producers in the humid regions of the U.S. many advantages, including timely harvest, higher nutritive quality and less weathering loss compared to hay systems.

Aerobically unstable corn silage is a common challenge for dairy and beef operations throughout the U.S. Mold and yeast are field-borne organisms that are transferred to the storage facility during the harvesting process.

Forage inoculants are effective additives to promote a quick drop in pH during fermentation of forages. These additives are viable bacteria that carry out fast and efficient fermentation, which can help maintain the nutritive quality of the fermented forage and reduce dry matter losses.