Variability isn’t ideal for any situation on a dairy farm, but one way to get through variation is to know when it’s coming. If you tested forages when they came off the field, you should have a pretty good idea of their quality – but there may be hidden challenges you need to prepare for.

As dairy producers evaluate the economic, agronomic and nutritional demands on their farms, they ask, “How can I make best use of my acreage for the greatest return on investment?” That question challenges farm consultants to rethink traditional approaches.

See how three farmers are rethinking corn silage with early interseeding strategies.

Better quality feed equals more milk.

Well-managed forage programs are a key aspect of any dairy operation, and tools such as MILK2024 are valuable metrics to help make decisions on both the quality and quantity of feed harvested. As technology implementation increases, it is critical to assess what works for an operation and what doesn’t. Understanding the potential impact of these decisions on milk production can help producers do just that. 

Livestock enterprises can use crop acres seeded to cover crops and crop residue to stretch the grazing season and save on feed costs. Crop operations benefit from the nutrient value added through livestock manure and to help with pest management.

Nobody likes to walk through a freestall pen and see manure laden with flecks of yellow corn pericarp. To any dairy manager, herd manager or nutritionist, “pretty poo” is all the rage – and pretty means consistently fleckless. This pretty manure is not only important to the diet but also a key part of every dairy’s bottom line.

The economic impact of high-quality corn silage is often underestimated. A corn silage harvest with excellent starch availability, exceptional fibre digestibility and ideal fermentation profiles can mean milk production and components come easily while maximizing forage in the diet.