Forage sorghum is a drought- and heat-tolerant warm-season grass that can be used for silage on dairy farms. Since it requires a soil temperature of at least 60°F for planting, the recommended planting time for New York is early June, unlike corn, which is usually planted earlier in the spring.

Significant increases in dry matter intake and milk production with increased digestibility were reported in animal trials where forages of higher in vitro digestibility and similar Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) concentration were fed.

By now most have heard the comparison made between a dairy cow and an Olympian. Many articles have described the cow as a bovine athlete, secreting high volumes of milk with an ever-increasing percentage of milk solids.

Producing milk to fit the demands of today’s consumers should be a central focus of the nutritionist, producer and milk processor alike. Advances in milk processing, such as ultrafiltration, have allowed for unique product offerings that target the high-protein, reduced-sugar, lactose-free market.

In today’s tough economic, environmentally conscious world, a dairy operation needs to run with the utmost precision and efficiency. From purchasing opportunity ingredients to using on-farm forages, to production efficiencies and standard operating procedures, all components must work together to have a successful, profitable and earth-friendly operation.