Day in and day out, dairy farmers provide the best in animal husbandry. There are occasions when animals get sick and need antimicrobial therapy to overcome a specific disease challenge.

In a recent article, we described forage microbial hygiene specific to nutrient preservation during the ensiling process and the subsequent potential impacts to digestion and health from the naturally occurring micro-organisms on the crop at harvest.

Numerous studies have concluded that one of the most important influences on dairy farm profitability is forage quality: Higher-quality forage leads to a greater likelihood of a profitable dairy business. But what metrics of forage quality are most important?

When was the last time you experienced “the best of both worlds”? As a figure of speech, you simply enjoyed the advantages of two very different things or situations at the same time.

Undoubtedly, the most important influence on dairy farm profitability is forage quality. But what metrics of forage quality are most important? What metrics of forage quality are most important to you and your nutritionist?

Many dairy production operations have achieved very high levels of performance, and a change of any type can have a significant impact on milk production. Dairy cows perform at their highest levels of production when everything is consistent and “normal.” Cows like everything to be the same every hour, every day, every week and every month of the year.

Many agricultural crops are harvested each year, stored and subsequently fed. To maximize preservation of the crops’ nutrients, we rely on fermentation. This is silage making. But the key to good fermentation is an anaerobic (absence of oxygen) environment.

Alfalfa haylage is a staple in the diets of high-producing dairy cows due primarily to its significant contributions of crude protein and physically effective fiber in most TMRs. However, it remains one of the most difficult and challenging forages to ensile properly.

Lactobacillus this … Pediococcus that … Enterococcus another thing … Sounds to me like a repeat of the old Abbott and Costello baseball routine, “Who’s On First?” Remember, “Who’s on first? What’s on second? I don’t know … third base.”

We have heard numerous times that one of the most important influences on dairy farm profitability is forage quality. Stated another way, the higher-quality the forage, the greater the chances for a profitable dairy business.