The harvest may be over, but your most profitable planning has just begun

By Kelly Kruse, Vita Plus livestock specialist

When the harvest season ends, it’s easy to shift focus away from forage planning. But making your forage program a priority through the winter months is just as critical — and just as challenging — as it is during harvest. These quieter months offer a valuable opportunity to reflect, plan and set the stage for success in the coming year. The decisions you make now will influence feed quality, efficiency and ultimately, your bottom line.

Reflect and respond: Preparing for 2025 and beyond

Start by opening the lines of communication with your team — producers, nutritionists, seed sales representatives and agronomists. These conversations are essential, especially as the window for BMR corn silage closes. How will you select the right digestible fiber sources for your operation?

Take time to review the past year while harvest details are still fresh in everyone’s minds. What went well? Did you meet your goals? Where could things improve? Discuss equipment performance, potential upgrades, forage storage capacity and whether new forage types should be considered. Honest reflection now helps prevent costly surprises later.

Feed quality drives feed efficiency

Your land base plays a leading role in feed quality. Do you have enough acres to produce high-quality feed for the animals on your farm? Look closely at the yield of protein, starch and digestible fiber harvested per acre each year. The higher these numbers, the less you’ll need to rely on off-farm commodities — an important consideration when milk prices are under pressure.

Consider taking harvest samples throughout the harvest season. These samples provide insight that can help you prepare for the upcoming season and avoid “sticker shock” when balancing diets. They also create opportunities to adjust plans between crops, reducing off-farm cash flow and improving efficiency. Finally, choose seed sources that deliver optimal fiber digestibility and starch accessibility. These decisions directly impact feed efficiency and overall profitability.

Keep the big picture in mind

Successful forage management requires more than focusing on individual crops — it’s about seeing the entire system. Start with inventories: know your forage supply and your cow numbers for the coming year. Running out of feed is not an option.

Agronomy matters too. Conduct soil fertility checks and review crop rotations to maximize acres. In the fall, evaluate alfalfa stands for root health and overall quality. These observations will influence your spring seed decisions. And as spring approaches, walk fields to identify potential winter kill early, so you can adjust plans before planting begins.

Closing thoughts: Plan, flex and communicate

A strong forage program doesn’t happen by chance — it’s built on planning, flexibility and communication. Have a plan but be ready to adapt in-season to maximize what goes into storage. Keep everyone involved in the process, from the smallest alfalfa seed to the tallest silage corn. Every decision matters.

Remember: Feed quality drives feed efficiency, and that efficiency impacts your entire farm’s income over feed cost. By prioritizing forage management now, you’re setting your operation up for success — not just for the next harvest, but for the long-term health and profitability of your farm.