When you opened your 2015 silage piles for the first time, were you filled with anticipation and confidence the new crop silage would meet your highest expectations for quality feed?

For many dairy producers, it will soon be time to feed the newly ensiled corn silage. Working in conjunction with their nutritional consultants, producers should have already sent corn silage samples to a laboratory for detailed analysis. Even with accurate analysis, there may be surprises in store that could mean some herds may not transition as expected to the new crop.

Editor’s note: Balchem Corporation sponsored a post-conference seminar focusing on milk protein production, following the 2015 Penn State Extension Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop held recently in Grantville, Pennsylvania. The seminar covered a three-pronged approach to milk protein: feeding, breeding and economics. This article is the first in a series covering the seminar. The second in the series "Breeding for milk protein"

Editor’s note: This is the first part of a three-part series. To read the second part of this three-part series, go to (Corn silage, feeding management and economic effects). When discussing dairy cow diets, corn silage is widely considered the more consistent forage compared to alfalfa or grass silages.

Sorghum is making a resurgence in both the grain and forage markets. Farmers have begun switching acres away from corn to sorghum this year because it costs less to produce, pays more at current prices and is competitive in nutritional quality for feeding purposes.

Dairy nutritionists have three options available for feed fat analysis: total lipid analysis (sometimes referred to as ether extract), acid-ether extract and fatty acids. Each differ in cost and the information they provide. Generally speaking, a total lipid or ether extract analysis is most economical.

How important is it to feed rations formulated with an accurate physically effective fiber (peNDF) value? Can we formulate and feed rations using “book” library values for peNDF?

Alfalfa and corn silage are the most widely used forages for dairy cattle in the Midwest, while grasses and pasture are used more in beef cattle diets. Alfalfa became the forage of choice in dairy cow diets because it was higher in crude protein compared to grass and thus would lower purchased protein costs.

High-quality corn silage contributes greatly to supplying the energy and fiber needs of high-producing dairy cows, reducing purchased feed costs from grain and byproduct supplements and generating milk revenues for dairy producers.

As a boy growing up on the farm, I witnessed my dad build many of our buildings, barns and sheds as he transformed the farm he had purchased into a modern working dairy. We had several smaller (8- to 20-ton) feed bins that were erected on the farm, and I recall the “fun” of piecing them together a bolt at a time along with the roll of sealer/caulk to make the bin watertight as we went.