4 ways to evaluate your corn plant stand

Forage quality is one of the biggest ways to impact your farm’s nutrition program success and manage out-of-pocket expenses.  Many factors influence forage quantity and quality, starting with the seed and its first few days in the ground.  In this video, Dr. Michelle Der Bedrosian and Steve Murty with the Vita Plus forage team walk you through four steps to evaluate your corn plant stand.  Check out Vita Plus Forage Foundations for industry-leading forage management expertise and practical tips.

About the authors:  Dr. Michelle Der Bedrosian is a Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical service specialist. Der Bedrosian earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science at the University of Delaware. She continued there to earn her Ph.D. in animal and food science, specializing in forage research with Dr. Limin Kung. Her thesis research centered on the use of a protease to improve starch digestibility earlier in the ensiling process. A New Jersey native, Der Bedrosian gained much of her farm experience during her collegiate years, milking cows, working in a forage laboratory, and performing dairy research. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Der Bedrosian’s responsibilities at Vita Plus include forage product research and development, dairy research, and dairy technical services.

Steve Murty joined the Vita Plus team in 2018 as a forage product specialist.  He attended Iowa State University to earn a degree in animal science with a minor in agricultural systems technology.  He previously managed the grain, agronomy, seed and retail departments at a local cooperative before transitioning to a sales role with a seed dealer.  He has a passion for working with farmers to help them meet their forage production goals.  Living in Iowa, Murty is a local 4-H club leader, a member of the Tama County Cattlemen, and an active member of his local church.