Forage Foundations

By Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist What is the best storage option for high-value ensiled feeds like high moisture shelled corn (HMSC), ear corn or snaplage?  The answer depends on the definition of the word “best.” For some, “best” could mean “easiest.”  For others, it could be the option that yields the most

The Vita Plus forage team recently developed a new, simple-to-use tool for measuring corn silage processing roll gap and chop length in the field. A series of four cards, each measuring 0.75 mm in thickness, will enable operators to verify roll gap simply by inserting the cards between the processing rolls at various locations.  If

 In this video, Dr. Michelle Windle, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical service specialist, details strategies to keep inoculant bacteria alive. A few common-sense strategies can significantly protect the effectiveness of inoculants and make the most of your investment. Visit our YouTube channel for more helpful tips.

 In this video, Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist, explains the simple steps of cleaning and maintaining your inoculant applicator. Taking a few minutes to clean applicators can prevent major downtime when you're chopping. Visit our YouTube channel for more helpful tips.

By Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist "Help!  My applicator isn't putting out what it should!" Most everyone who works with forage applicators has heard that plea.  The solution is usually a simple matter of replacing the flexible pump tube on the Dohrmann DE applicators.  However, things were different this time when I received

By Dr. Michelle Windle, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical services specialist The majority of dry matter (DM) losses occur during the front end ensiling process (as the pH drops) and during the back end (after exposure to oxygen when lactate-assimilating spoilage yeasts flourish). Spoilage yeasts are especially prevalent in feeds rich in starch,

By Chris Wacek-Driver, Vita Plus forage program manager Lignin is the primary fiber component that reduces fiber digestibility in ruminant diets. Because alfalfa contains high lignin concentrations (greater than 6.0 percent), alfalfa fiber digestibility is often compromised as compared to low lignin forages such as BMR corn silage (with a 2-percent lignin concentration). As a

By Pat Hoffman, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist Producers used to only plant small grains in the spring for forage when they faced alfalfa winterkill or needed a companion crop for alfalfa seedings. Times have changed and small grain forages are now commonly and diversely used to augment a wide array of forage needs.  In

By Pat Hoffman, Vita Plus dairy technical specialist Today’s high-producing dairy cows consume copious amounts of calories to sustain milk production and no forage is better suited to provide calories than corn silage. As discussed at the Vita Plus Custom Harvester Meeting, corn silage is unique in the world of forages, containing a source of

By Jon Rasmussen, Vita Plus technology specialist, and Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist This winter that will probably go in the books as just average for temperatures.  The periods of extreme cold are what most of us will remember about the 2014-15 winter. During those cold spells, our forage faces might have sagged

By Dr. Michelle Windle, Vita Plus forage products and dairy technical services specialist “Clostridia” is almost a four-lettered word in today’s silage world.  Clostridia bacteria degrade quality and produce butyric acid in silages.  However, clostridia challenges can be managed with the right knowledge, tools and strategy. Clostridia bugs are present everywhere: in the soil, on

By Stan McGraw, Vita Plus Dodgeville agronomist Fall and spring are the best times to assess alfalfa stands and evaluate the stands for yield potential in the cropping system.  Fall is a great time to decide if alfalfa field needs to be replaced or left for another year. During spring, we try to assess winterkill,

Click here to download Lamb's PowerPoint presentation. With Dan Lamb, Lamb Chops Custom Harvesting Dan Lamb, Lamb Chops Custom Harvesting, Bakersfield, California, gave Vita Plus Custom Harvester attendees the inside scoop on the land he operates in the San Joaquin Valley of California. The San Joaquin Valley is the most fertile land in the U.S.,

Click here to download Colby's PowerPoint presentation. With Chad Colby, AgTechTalk.com Drones have become a popular subject in mass media, but are still new on the minds of custom harvesters and producers. Chad Colby of AgTechTalk.com got down to the nitty-gritty details and regulations at the recent Vita Plus Custom Harvester Meeting. Colby said, according

Click here to download Brandt and Urness' PowerPoint presentation. By Jon Urness, Vita Plus national forage specialist, with Jason Brandt, J&A Forage Services Sometimes custom harvesters need to remind their customers of the value they bring to the table when it comes to producing a supply of quality, consistent forages. As uncomfortable as it may

Click here to download Sipiorski's PowerPoint presentation. By Gary Sipiorski, Vita Plus dairy development manager Machinery values on a custom harvester’s balance sheet have a lot of zeroes.  Due to the field conditions and customer needs, the machinery sees a lot of abuse and many long hours of use, but it has to work when