“What are the cows telling you?” This is the first question consultants often ask after a major ration change. This might be the inclusion of a new commodity, changing forages, new high-moisture corn or the addition of a new additive.

I have made about a dozen trips to Japan over the last decade to work with dairies on the north island of Hokkaido. While the Japanese are internationally known for “Kaizen,” referring to a focus on continuous improvement of processes in manufacturing, engineering and business management, it is impressive how quickly they adapt ideas from around the world into their dairy sector.

Feed software programs have recently become more widely implemented and are utilized to gather and evaluate a tremendous amount of feeding-related information.

All nutritionists look for ways to reduce risks. This is done by keeping a close eye on sources of variation in the diet, from changes in forage dry matter (DM) to managing consistency in the TMR. The rationale for reducing these risks is to ensure cows have adequate dietary sources of nutrients that can be reliably delivered to target tissues to consistently support optimal performance.

A question that needs to be asked when thinking about starch digestibility when feeding high-producing dairy cattle is: “Do you want to feed the rumen bugs, or do you want to feed the wildlife?"

A vast area of the U.S. was stricken with drought throughout the 2012 growing season, dragging forage and grain yields down in its wake. The weather in 2013’s growing season has taken a swing to the opposite end of the spectrum, supplying excessive rain in many areas and creating conditions unsuitable for both planting and harvesting.

BMR corn hybrids are gaining popularity among silage growers looking to improve crop production and nutrient value. To get the most from BMR corn silage, consider its differentiating characteristics and how this feedstuff will fit within your operation.

Temperature, concentration of organic acids, moisture and pH are factors that directly affect microbial activity and subsequently silage quality during storage and feedout. However, the presence of air (oxygen) is the most important factor that dictates the final quality of a silage as it is fed.

Making silage is a fermentation process that consists of six phases (see Figure 1), but on many farms the last phase – feedout – is often the most neglected. This final phase of fermentation starts the day the silo is opened and continues until all of the forage has been consumed.

Silage inoculants are the most common additives used in making corn and hay crop silages. The main active ingredients in these products are lactic acid bacteria that help ensure the fermentation in the silo goes in a direction that helps preserve the crop.