Renato J. Schmidt

Maximizing the ROI of your silage

Silage, like any other feed, is a big investment. When producers understand the components of a good silage product and the steps they can take to maintain its integrity, that investment is more likely to be worth it.

May 4, 2023

Renato J. Schmidt

Properly ensiled forages can be stored for extended periods of time and support the performance and health of your herd. Alternatively, you could be dealing with spoilage, plummeting palatability and a rising feed bill.

Small-grains silage: Big opportunities for your forage program

May 30, 2022

Renato J. Schmidt

Cereal crops are best known as primary ingredients for flour and beverages like beer. However, they are also an important source of nutrients for livestock.

Creating silage cattle need (and want) to eat - Part 2

May 25, 2021

Renato J. Schmidt

This is the second in a three-part series on forage hygiene. The previous article "Clean up your act: High-quality, hygienic silage starts in the field" and the final piece will address animal health.

Clean up your act: High-quality, hygienic silage starts in the field

March 1, 2021

John Brouillette and Renato J. Schmidt

Inside every storage structure is an invisible battle between “good” and “bad” microorganisms. If the good guys win, the prize is tons of nutrient-rich silage. If the bad guys win, there may be significant dry matter (DM) and nutrient losses, excessive spoilage, feed refusals, low animal performance or even poor animal health and reproduction. We really need the good guys to win.

Wild yeasts: A perennial problem

October 1, 2020

Renato J. Schmidt

How do you mitigate and prevent spoiled silage for the future? Throughout the summer, many dairy consultants have seen farm teams challenged by aerobically unstable 2019 ensiled forages and high-moisture grains, which were grown under several levels of stress.

Adding feed to the TMR when wild yeast is present

Wild yeasts: A perennial problem How to mitigate and prevent spoiled silage for the future

September 14, 2020

Renato J. Schmidt

Throughout the summer, many dairy consultants have seen farm teams challenged by aerobically unstable 2019 ensiled forages and high-moisture grains, which were grown under several levels of stress.

Garbage in, garbage out: Impacts of silage mismanagement on the rumen

August 7, 2020

Renato J. Schmidt and Andrew L. Skidmore

Forage quality is the Achilles’ heel for any ruminant nutritionist. The better the forage coming out of storage, the better the nutritionist.

Garbage in, garbage out: Impacts of silage mismanagement on the rumen

June 30, 2020

Renato J. Schmidt and Andrew L. Skidmore

Forage quality is the Achilles’ heel for any ruminant nutritionist. The better the forage coming out of storage, the better the nutritionist.

Boost forage inventories with alternative crops

April 30, 2020

Bob Charley and Renato J. Schmidt

Challenging growing conditions have created potential shortages in silage stocks over the past few years, which has sparked interest in putting up alternative silage crops, some more creative than others.

What to expect and how to manage corn silage from the 2019 season

December 12, 2019

Bob Charley and Renato J. Schmidt

The 2019 corn silage season was as challenging as last year, mainly due to excessive precipitation – including flooding in some areas – leading to heavy, saturated soils.

Progressive Dairy

Progressive Dairy Canada

PD Canada en Francais

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Progressive Cattle Canada

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Articles by Renato J. Schmidt

Maximizing the ROI of your silage

Small-grains silage: Big opportunities for your forage program

Creating silage cattle need (and want) to eat - Part 2

Clean up your act: High-quality, hygienic silage starts in the field

Wild yeasts: A perennial problem

Wild yeasts: A perennial problem How to mitigate and prevent spoiled silage for the future

Garbage in, garbage out: Impacts of silage mismanagement on the rumen

Garbage in, garbage out: Impacts of silage mismanagement on the rumen

Boost forage inventories with alternative crops

What to expect and how to manage corn silage from the 2019 season

Weekly Digest: More U.S. cases of New World screwworm confirmed, Canada restricts imports

Teff grass: Where it fits and where it doesn’t

2027 beef production to decline slightly year over year

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