With high commodity prices, it is important to maximize profit from every acre. Silage performance can vary depending on hybrid selection. Performance consistency can be different from one hybrid to the next. Leo Brown, livestock information manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred, says growers need to look at maturity and agronomic needs first then yield, tonnage and fiber digestibility when making a hybrid selection.
Leo Brown on Hybrids for Silage Quality (5:00 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.
Looking for answers as to how NDF digestibility impacts dairy production? Pioneer Hi-Bred nutritional sciences veterinarian, Bill Seglar, explains how the types of forages being fed will impact neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Furthermore, Seglar talks about the value of silage additives and the role they play in nutrition.
Bill Seglar on NDF Digestibility (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.
Have trouble sorting out PENDF, NDF and PEF? Pioneer Hi-Bred nutritional sciences veterinarian, Bill Seglar, explains these acronyms and their value to producers. “This information offers producers the ability to add up physically effective fiber coming from all different types of forages that are being brought into the ration to see if it meets the requirements of the total ration,” says Seglar. Hear more about this topic in this edition of the Pioneer Forage Forum.
Bill Seglar on Alphabet Forages (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.
Moldy silages can create a variety of concerns for producers. Pioneer nutritional sciences veterinarian, Bill Seglar, discusses the effects of moldy silages. Additionally, Seglar explains how to identify moldy silages as well as how to reduce and remove the problem. Seglar says moldy silages are the result of an energy-consuming, spore-forming microbe, known as molds, that deplete the silage of its energy value. From the start, the cattle are going to be consuming a much less energy-dense forage.
Bill Seglar on Moldy Silages (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.
With increased feed costs, producers are looking to refine management techniques for optimum feeding. Pioneer recently invested in an infrared camera that shows heat in the silage face. This technology shows several qualities about the silage in the bunker. With this camera, Pioneer professionals can show producers if silage was packed properly, if the method for feeding silage from the bunker is optimum for their operation, among other bunker management information. Bill Seglar, nutritional science veterinarian for Pioneer Hi-Bred, talks about how this technology can enhance dairy professionals’ knowledge and management information.
Bill Seglar on Infrared Technology (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.
As we head into the summer months and temperatures begin to rise, producers need to monitor feed rations. Inevitably, dairy cows will go through an intake depression. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, says we need to pay close attention to our starch digestibility – how much effective fiber is in the ration. Producers need to have a ration balanced properly at that lower-level intake.
Bill Mahanna on Heat Stress (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.
With rising hay prices, growers are looking to management practices to achieve a high-quality crop. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, discusses alfalfa management and suggests growers refine alfalfa curing practices to maintain integrity of harvested hay. Rapid, uniform curing of alfalfa is most desirable. However, recent research reveals forages don’t dry at a uniform rate. Proper cutting and management techniques can help offset curing time and potential quality losses, says Mahanna.
Bill Mahanna on Haylage Drying (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.
Dr. David Miller, director of alfalfa research for Pioneer, talks about the importance of forage quality. Forage quality has several definitions, depending on whether you are a beef producer or a dairy producer. Forage quality cannot always be expressed through a number, but rather how well an animal will perform when it is fed alfalfa, says Miller. Achieving high forage quality starts with management – timing cuttings, looking at weather forecasts and baling or chopping techniques.
David Miller on Alfalfa Management (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.
Best practices and cutting management will provide growers with an optimum alfalfa crop, says David Miller, director of alfalfa research for Pioneer. With a slow spring green-up, Miller takes a look at the impact of a cold winter on alfalfa as well as alfalfa genetics and management. Growers who tend to harvest late in the fall may be seeing more winterkill this spring, Miller says.
David Miller on Alfalfa Management (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.
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.
DeLaval PR director Carina Kit presented the awards during the congress, with the help of IFAJ president David Markey. The winner was “The beauties of the winter in Schleswig-Holstein” from the yearly calendar for Schleswig-Holstein.
Carina says they sponsor the contest because it rewards journalists for creativity in photography representing agriculture all over the world. The rest of the contest entries can be seen here on the IFAJ website.
Carina also told us all about the DeLaval sponsored website milkproduction.com, which features “practical, objective, plug and play information for dairy farmers all over the world.” She says the website gets some 10,000 visitors on a regular basis, about 30 percent from the United States.
Here is an interview with Carina with more information about DeLaval, the IFAJ congress and the website:
Thanks to Pioneer for sponsoring our trip to Japan to cover the IFAJ Congress
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.
With high commodity prices, it is important to maximize profit from every acre. Silage performance can vary depending on hybrid selection. Performance consistency can be different from one hybrid to the next. Leo Brown, livestock information manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred, says growers need to look at maturity and agronomic needs first then yield, tonnage and fiber digestibility when making a hybrid selection. 
