Forages have been and always will be an important source of nutrients for ruminants. For dairy producers, forages are the base of the feed pyramid, the foundation on which the remainder of the diet is structured. Feeding high-quality corn increases dairy efficiency and helps reduce feed costs associated with purchased ingredients, especially protein.

Feeding adequate quantities of high-quality forages is the basis of profitable milk and livestock production. Forage production, harvest, storage and feed practices have changed greatly over the past 50 years, and silage has become a staple forage.

Forages are crops used as hay, silage, haylage, green chop or pasture for feeding animals. The forages or other feed ingredients are given to cows to be digested first in the rumen and second in the small intestine. When we feed cows, the feed is used by bacteria in the rumen. After the feeds are utilized by the bacteria and other microorganisms then byproducts of bacterial fermentation and other ruminal digesta flow down to the small intestine where they are digested and absorbed. The digesta in the small intestine is broken down and absorbed into the cow’s body to be used as energy to maintain the cow and make milk.

There are many ways to store silage on your farm. Each farmer needs to find out what works for him or her. Most farmers consider bunkers, top unloading tower silos and bagged silage before making their choice. Tower silos are the most widely used. Bunkers and silage bags have become more common in recent years.

After I graduated from college with my bachelor’s degree, I had the rewarding opportunity to work with the Youth Conservation Corp, a program to meet the needs of teens in a summer camp situation.

The RW Spin Off Round Bale Feeder Model FSO-906 is designed to fit Category II, or Category III 3-pt hitches (including quick hitches) and requires a minimum of 8-10 GPM at 1,500 psi to operate.

As I weave my way through life there are things that I count on. They are stepping stones in my path that I don’t worry about, like:

Dad keeps about 75 yearling and bred heifers in an 80-acre pasture just across the section line from the dairy. Here awhile back, he’d started having trouble with some wild dogs bothering them, so he’d been keeping a watch ful eye and a loaded gun.

Intrigued by the possibility of building a better heifer? Want to develop your herd’s potential? If you answered, “Yes,” your next question probably is, “What will it cost?” Will you really get some bang for your buck (i.e., milk in the tank)?

Editor’s Note: The following article is the first in a series of articles discussing proper electrical fence operation and maintenance. Modern electric fencing systems have made managed grazing possible by providing livestock owners with animal management tools that are flexible, effective and relatively inexpensive.