Although managing starch digestibility may feel like uncovering the center in a never-ending set of nesting dolls, there are many tools available to help us start to break this down. Doing so can help ensure that rations meet expected values and help farmers make the most out of purchased and homegrown feeds. It can also shed light on opportunities to improve starch digestion and ensure we aren’t missing out on valuable energy.

Cows that consume feed contaminated with mycotoxins – which include natural toxins made by various species of molds – may suffer a host of various metabolic disruptions that lead to a loss of milk production, hormonal imbalance and reduced reproductive performance. 

There are six main hazards when it comes to silage: 1) complacency and fatigue, 2) entanglement by machinery, 3) rollover by machinery, 4) fall from heights, 5) crushing by silage avalanche or collapse, and 6) silo gases. By regularly taking safety precautions at each of these hazard points, we can ensure that our farm workers return home safely at the end of the day.

The foundation of most diets fed to dairy and beef cattle includes forages, but making them into high-quality silage that can be fed year-round is a challenge.

Effective management, including the use of proven inoculants to manage the ensiling process at the microbiological level, safeguards your investment, maximizes time and resources, and is critical for optimizing your bottom line.

A total mixed ration (TMR) diet has long been used to consistently offer a high-quality mix to ruminants. It allows farms to incorporate almost any ingredient into the diet consistently, safely removing much of the variation from one mouthful to the next.

Clostridial fermentation can be detected in silages by its unpleasant smell, slimy appearance and dark coloration. One reason for the nasty odor is butyric acid, which has a strong "rancid butter" smell.

The 2023 corn crop was challenged by a wide variation of environmental challenges. Drought in the Southwest and western Corn Belt to late-season rainfall in the Ohio Valley and eastern Corn Belt, the weather challenged the crop.

Variability is the one constant dairy producers can count on. Unfortunately, cows appreciate consistency and do best when things stay the same on a daily basis.

Profitable dairy production requires a very efficient conversion of feed to milk. A combination of purchased and home-raised feeds are frequently used to provide the needs of the dairy operation.