Forage Foundations

By Barry Visser, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist
With the introduction of reduced-lignin alfalfa, some producers wonder if pairing it with BMR corn will result in too much digestible fiber.  Although research is limited, some producers are having success with this feeding strategy.

By Nathen Nysse, Peninsula Pride Farms, LLC agronomist
Soil health is a complex concept that takes years of patience and care to complete. Yet it can have many positive implications for your crops, water quality and more. Use these steps to help increase your soil health.

By Dr. Michelle Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical specialist
Gas production during fermentation is normal and it will occur for roughly a week after a silo is sealed.  While most gases are harmless, others are deadly.
 

By Dr. Darin Bremmer, Vita Plus regional sales manager
Parts of our market area have experienced extreme flooding, while others have seen drought.  In many of these situations, producers will have to work through their unique challenges to harvest and feed low-moisture corn silage.

From Iowa to Michigan, consultants report on corn silage harvest so far.

By Dr. Damon Smith, University of Wisconsin-Madison assistant professor and extension specialist 
Tar spot has hit the Midwest heavy and hard.  Researchers are doing everything they can to understand this relatively new corn disease and how it will affect yields and quality.

By Kate McAndrews, Vita Plus regional sales manager
Low-lignin alfalfa is a current "hot topic" for many producers, but what results are we seeing in the field?

By Dr. Michelle Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical specialist
While the last thing many producers' want to think about is NEXT YEAR'S harvest, it pays to make a checklist for what you can do now to ensure a successful and prosperous harvest next year.

By Dr. Michelle Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical specialist
Silage runoff occurs when you ensile silage at higher-than-ideal moisture levels, and runoff is not a good thing.  When you see runoff, your ensiled crop is losing valuable nutrients, along with overall silage quality.

By Pat Hoffman, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist
You send in a new batch of haylage to the forage testing lab and the analysis reveals it has a relative forage quality (RFQ) greater than 200.  This raises feeding and production expectations, but let's slow down and ask, "What does this 200-plus RFQ really mean?"

By Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist
While many producers are concerned with making sure all equipment is prepared for harvest, proper inoculant handling and transportation to the field is often overlooked.  When it comes to your inoculant, you need to make sure you have a plan in place before you hit the fields.

By Dr. Michelle Der Bedrosian, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical specialist
Ensiling unique forage byproducts has been practiced for thousands of years.  While it is more common in other parts of the world, it may become more common in the Midwest as producers look to save money.

It's a week before harvest and suddenly a hail storm blows through and wipes out the crop you have worked so hard to grow this season.  What can you do?  Two years ago, City Slickers Farm, LLC found themselves in this situation and salvaged most of their crop with quick, proactive thinking.

By Scott Rowntree, Pioneer^® field agronomist and certified crop advisor
Agriculture has seen many technological advancements that have led farms to be more efficient, productive and profitable.  Aerial imagery is one of these technologies that can help farmers scout their crops more efficiently.

By Nathan Hrnicek, Vita Plus forage products specialist
Producers across the Midwest have been asking when they should harvest first-crop alfalfa.  Two great methods to help predict alfalfa quality prior to harvest are the PEAQ stick and scissor clippings.

By Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist
Each year, dairy producers and custom harvesters ask, "Can I use chlorinated or city water to mix my inoculant?"  With a few exceptions, the answer is yes, but watch for extremes.