particle size | Ag Proud

Feeding efficiently to feed economically

Seven diet strategies that can be readily incorporated into your feed program to make dramatic changes in feed efficiency.

December 8, 2023

Sarah Stocks and Evan Barton

While genetics and management components can also factor into improving feed efficiency, there are numerous nutrition and diet strategies that can be readily incorporated into your feed program to make dramatic changes in feed efficiency.

Win the corn silage harvest

The need-to-know numbers and best practices for harvesting corn silage.

July 13, 2023

Liang Chen

Knowing the numbers and best practices for corn silage harvest can maximize your income over feed cost.

Considerations for sizing a TMR mixer

Variables to consider when selecting a TMR mixer that is the right size for your operation to achieve optimal process efficiency and TMR uniformity.

June 20, 2023

David B. Carlson and Paulina Letelier

A typical dairy operation manages different animal types (from young heifers to lactating cows), intakes and rations characteristics, resulting in a wide range of feed load sizes.

Chop talk: The importance of forage particle size in the diet

Minimizing the amount of forage particles retained on the top sieve of the Penn State Particle Separator is a good strategy for promoting desirable feeding behaviors and maximizing dry matter intake.

September 27, 2022

Casey Havekes

Most dairy farms feed carefully balanced diets that are formulated to meet the dietary needs of their cows, depending on their age and stage of lactation.

Critical control points to achieve TMR consistency

Focus on forage dry matter, mixing faced silage, loading location of ingredients, levelness of the mixer, mixer fill, mix time and equipment wear to achieve TMR consistency.

August 19, 2022

David B. Carlson

Knowledge of cow biology, feed composition and herd information is vast and ever-expanding. Dairy producers and nutritionists have powerful tools available to balance rations and monitor outcomes for specific groups of animals.

Redefining forage particle size for ruminants

March 31, 2021

William Woodley

There is a certain appeal in feeding long dry hay to dairy cows, especially because the cows seem to gravitate to this type of forage, but is this the best way to feed dairy cows?

Feeding strategies for improving milk protein production

September 23, 2020

Fernando Diaz

One reasonable approach to enhance profitability in dairy farms is the strategic production of milk components without negatively affecting cow performance, health or reproduction. Although milkfat has been the main driver in the milk check during the last three years, milk protein production should not be overlooked.

A look into the effects of forage particle size reduction

September 15, 2020

Wyatt Smith

Within the last few years, we’ve taken a more critical look at the relationship between forage fiber particle size and forage digestibility. Researchers at the Miner Institute in New York have explored the concept of reducing particle size of forages with lower fiber digestibility to improve animal performance.

Changing forage particle size – why or why not?

August 6, 2019

Michael F. Hutjens

Forage particle size is a “hot” topic on dairy farms. Nutritionists, veterinarians and dairy farmers are asking how long forage fiber needs to be. What it the impact of the fiber source?