The Effect of Maturity on NDF Digestibility by P.C. Hoffman, K.M. Lundberg, L.M. Bauman and Randy D. Shaver Introduction Recently forage testing laboratories have begun to evaluate forages for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. Evaluation of forage for NDF digestibility is being conducted to improve laboratory prediction of animal performance. One of the factors that influences […]
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Evaluating Corn Silage Quality for Dairy Cattle by Randy Shaver, Professor and Extension Dairy Nutritionist University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-Extension Introduction This fact sheet has been developed to support the implementation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service Feed Management 592 Practice Standard. The Feed Management 592 Practice Standard was adopted by NRCS in 2003 as another […]
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Corn Shredlage for Dairy Cows by Luiz Ferraretto and Randy Shaver Introduction Garnering much recent interest by dairy producers and their nutritionists has been a new method of harvesting whole-plant corn for silage. The resultant product has been called corn shredlage by the developer of the process (Shredlage™, LLC; http://www.shredlage.com/) and the manufacturer of the new […]
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Adding Urea to Corn Silage by Patrick Hoffman Introduction Urea is a manmade feed ingredient containing 46% nitrogen or 287% crude protein equivalents. Urea is a source of dietary nitrogen for use in ruminent feeds. Ingested urea is degraded to ammonia, and the ruminal bacteria incorporate the ammonia into bacterial protein. This type of protein is […]
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Estimating Alfalfa RFV in the Field Using PEAQ Step 1: Choose a representative 2-square-foot area in the field. Step 2: Determine the most mature stem in the 2-square-foot sampling area using the criteria shown in the table to the right. Step 3: Measure the length of the tallest stem in the 2-square-foot area. Measure if […]
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NDF Digestibility: Reference Values for Forages, Byproducts and Total Mixed Rations by P.C. Hoffman, K.M. Lundberg, L.M. Bauman and Randy D. Shaver Introduction Numerous forage testing laboratories evaluate forages, byproduct feeds and total mixed rations for neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD). Evaluation of forages and other feedstuffs for NDFD is being conducted to aid prediction of feed energy […]
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Heat Damaged Forages: Effects on Forage Quality by Wayne Coblentz and Patrick Hoffman Introduction Traditionally, heat damage in forages has been associated primarily with alterations in forage protein quality as a result of Maillard reactions. A Maillard reaction is a heat-induced chemical reaction between protein (amino acids) and sugars. Maillard products produce a range of odors and colors […]
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Enhanced Forage Evaluation: NDF Digestibility by Scott Reuss, UW-Extension, Marinette County Introduction Nearly all dairy producers have encountered a situation where the animal performance they are achieving is not matching the theoretical performance indicated by their forage quality analysis. Oftentimes, grassy hay/haylage that tests at a lower quality will give comparable performance to a higher-testing legume, or […]
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In vitro NDF Digestibility of Forages: The 30 vs. 48 hour debate by P.C. Hoffman, K.M. Lundberg, L.M. Bauman and Randy D. Shaver Introduction Recently, forage testing laboratories have begun to evaluate forages for neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. Evaluation of forages for NDF digestibility is being conducted to aid prediction of total forage digestibility. There are several […]
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A Quick Guide to Understanding Forage Test Results by Patrick Hoffman and Randy Shaver Introduction Laboratory testing of forages for nutrient content and digestion characteristics is an important management step in the process of formulating dairy rations. In recent years, there have been numerous changes in forage analysis by commercial testing laboratories. These changes are sometimes […]
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