During 2016, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated 58 million tons of alfalfa hay and 125 million tons of corn silage were produced in the U.S. With that volume of forage being produced annually, there are a wide variety of production and price levels nationwide.

Editor’s note: This is the third part of a three-part series. Management practices related to cropping and feeding can be major factors affecting the animal performance to maintain a sustainable profit margin.

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a three-part series. To read the first part of this three-part series, go to (Corn silage, feeding management, cash-flow effects) Cropping management and corn hybrid selection for silage can be major factors affecting the animal performance needed to maintain a sustainable profit margin.

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.