The PEAQ (Predictive Equation for Alfalfa Quality) method was developed around the relative feed value (RFV) which looks at the quantity of fiber. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, takes a look at determining not just the quantity of fiber but the digestibility of that fiber through RFQ or relative feed quality testing. Mahanna also comments on timing the first alfalfa cutting.
Bill Mahanna on Integrated Forage Program (5:30 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Managing the gaps in today’s agriculture can be an issue, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer. When visiting an operation, several factors come into play before a crop becomes feed. Pioneer can offer expertise to deal with the full continuum – managing the gaps between growing and cutting the feed to packing the silo and feed management. Mahanna comments on Pioneer’s integrated forage approach and the expertise available to producers.
Bill Mahanna on Integrated Forage Program (4:30 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Why does Pioneer have so many different silage inoculants? Pioneer microbiologists have focused on bacterial strains unique to each crop. Bacteria have special niches that they fill. Like humans in a room, some like it a little colder or warmer – bacteria works much the same way, designed for a specific environment. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional services for Pioneer, says Pioneer is improving the nutritional value and preserving the quality of the crop by using specific products.
Bill Mahanna on Corn Specificity (4:00 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Along with higher corn prices, the value of corn silage has tracked notably higher. The industry used to reference corn silage values at “a penny a pound” or $20 per ton. However, the higher corn market and costs related to silage harvest have boost corn silage values in upwards of $50 per ton, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional services for Pioneer Hi-Bred. Mahanna provides suggestions on how growers might manage their corn crop to increase starch content, and in turn, the value of their corn silage.
Bill Mahanna on Value of Starch in Corn Silage (4:15 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
While yeast is a common ingredient in feed rations, including yeast in silage can cause stability issues, particularly when there is significant variability in the corn crop, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional services for Pioneer Hi-Bred. An increasing amount of yeast can impact digestibility and palatability of the silage, but more importantly yeast can “heat up” the silage. Mahanna shares silage management practices to help minimize the growth of yeast.
Bill Mahanna on Yeast in Unstable Silages (4:00 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Does corn silage really need to be that much different for heifers versus cows? According to Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional science for Pioneer Hi-Bred, the answer is yes since high fat deposits in growing heifers can cause havoc and production issues down the line. Hear how producers can potentially manage this problem and their crops to reduce starch levels. Bill highlights some of the challenges and potential solutions for managing corn silage when feeding heifers.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Do all forage additives improve the nutrient quality of silage? Bill Rutherford, research coordinator, Pioneer Forage Additive Group, answers that question and explains the process of preserving high quality silage. He highlights how forage additives can rapidly lowering ph levels and impact nutrients in a positive manor. Bill offers suggestions on how producers can ensure they are buying a quality forage additive product.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: September 19, 2007 at 5:23 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Silage innoculants are discussed in this segment of the Pioneer Forage Forum, with information provided by Bill Rutherford, research coordinator, Pioneer Forage Additive Research Group. In addition to the much talked about L. buchneri, Rutherford provides information on organisms which also have an important role as components of silage inoculants. He explains why it is important to have multiple strains of organisms. The goal of the Pioneer Forage Additive Research Group is to bring products to market that help increase meat and milk-production efficiency and producer profitability.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: September 5, 2007 at 11:36 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Timing is no more important than when it comes to feeding silage after harvest. Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, offers background and details on this subject in the latest Forage Forum segment. He also answers the question, does silage ever completely stabilize? Listen in for his answer as well as information on inoculants helping to conserve sugars and factors towards bunklife.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: August 22, 2007 at 4:26 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Starch in Fermented Grains is the topic of this Forage Forum segment, with information provided by Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager. Dr. Mahanna reviews the importance of the form of corn when it is fed, especially to cattle feeders. Additionally, he weighs in on the pros and cons of high-moisture corn, focusing on the fermentation process and the role of inoculants.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: August 8, 2007 at 9:40 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Just what exactly is kernel texture? Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, explores this question while comparing hard starch vs. soft starch. He also explains the link to digestibility and touches upon current Ohio State University research on corn grain and corn silage - what are the influences on feedability and what is the role of fermentation?
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: July 30, 2007 at 10:22 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
With rising corn prices, a clear understanding of total-tract starch digestibility is as important as ever, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. Additionally, Bill explains the differences when starch is digested in the rumen of the cow versus in the intestine, and how this balance works. New research and tests are giving producers a better understanding of starch digestibility, and Bill touches on these highlights.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: July 11, 2007 at 6:47 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Up to 60 days of fermentation before feeding can improve starch digestibility, particularly with high-moisture corn, reports Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager. It’s important, though, to control fermentation, keeping feedstuffs fresh and reducing shrink losses. When feeding both high-moisture corn and corn silage, ensiling can help head off issues like spring acidosis. The overall goal is a stable new crop that feeds like the old crop. This Pioneer Forage Forum segment is part of a series highlighting research on STRD.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: June 27, 2007 at 8:15 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Among dairy nutritionists, grain particle size is of increasing interest, particularly for high-moisture corn. Intuition suggests the smaller the particles, the faster the starch digestion. Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, confirms this. In addition, he calls attention to the importance of particle hardness and distribution in processing for improved feed value. Bill also offers insight on what actually happens to starch in the rumen. This Pioneer Forage Forum segment is part of a series highlighting research on STRD. Bill Mahanna on grain particle size (5 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: June 13, 2007 at 10:13 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Issues on ruminant starch digestibility (STRD) include vitreousness—harder starch—vs. soft, floury endosperm in commercial corn germplasm. As part of a series of Pioneer Forage Forum segments highlighting STRD research, Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, condenses decades of research on this topic. His review includes recent conclusions, with viewpoints on how to identify real-world findings and make practical decisions, driven by factors ranging from processing of feed to digestion. Bill Mahanna on vitreousness and STRD (4:30 min MP3)
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: May 30, 2007 at 10:23 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
While ruminant starch digestibility (STRD) is a complex subject, producers’ control can be simplified by addressing basic critical factors: harvest moisture, particle size and length of time in fermentation. Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, offers details, particularly on the influence of moisture and the extent of fermentation in high moisture corn. This is the first in a series of segments highlighting research on STRD, drawing on dairy feed studies at the Pioneer Livestock Research Center, as well as trials with university cooperators.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: March 28, 2007 at 9:49 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
To optimize alfalfa performance, one-size-fits-all is no longer in style. Today’s grower can tailor variety selection to manage specific production challenges, observes Dave Miller, Alfalfa Research Director for Pioneer Hi-Bred. The result can be a better fit with bottom-line goals. This includes production objectives based on quantity or quality, as well as defensive objectives for insects, disease and standability.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: March 14, 2007 at 9:49 am
By Chuck Zimmerman
Among seed genetics, alfalfa is a non-conformist. Due to biological limitations, achieving the genetic uniformity that occurs in corn, soybeans, wheat, etc. is not possible. Within each alfalfa variety, there is a range of performance for critical agronomic categories. As explained by Dave Miller, Alfalfa Research Director for Pioneer Hi-Bred, this is why ratings for disease and insect resistance, fall dormancy and winterkill are characterized in the context of average percentages–bag-by-bag, stand-by-stand, plot-by-plot.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: March 3, 2007 at 12:17 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Early to mid-April, when alfalfa begins to green up, is the time to assess the degree of damage from winterkill. Dan Wiersma, account manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred, offers tips on what to look for, both above and below ground, to evaluate alfalfa stands just ahead of the upcoming growing season. Dan also discusses options to consider if those stands are marginal—proceed, plow under, even some of both.
To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Previous Forage Forum podcasts are also archived at the Pioneer GrowingPoint website. To access them, go to www.pioneer.com/growingpoint and click “Livestock Nutrition” and “Forage Blog.” Those not registered for Pioneer GrowingPoint website can call 800-233-7333 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT for assistance.
Posted: February 2, 2007 at 1:39 pm
By Chuck Zimmerman
Dairy Markets Week in Review
Cash block cheese ended the final week of January at $1.3325 per pound, down 1 1/2 cents on the week, but 9 1/4 cents above that week a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.3750, up a penny on the week, and 16 1/2 cents above a year ago. 2 cars of block traded hands on the week and of 18 of barrel. The NASS-surveyed U.S. average block price slipped to $1.3090, down 2.2 cents. Barrel averaged $1.3337, unchanged from the previous week.
Butter closed Friday at $1.2250, down 4 1/2 cents on the week, and 2 1/4 cents below a year ago. 3 cars were sold. NASS butter averaged $1.2144, up 1.7 cents. NASS nonfat dry milk averaged $1.0872 per pound, down 0.3 cent. Dry whey averaged .4838, up 0.8 cent.
The PEAQ (Predictive Equation for Alfalfa Quality) method was developed around the relative feed value (RFV) which looks at the quantity of fiber. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, takes a look at determining not just the quantity of fiber but the digestibility of that fiber through RFQ or relative feed quality testing. Mahanna also comments on timing the first alfalfa cutting. 
Dairy Markets Week in Review