Value of Short Rotations for Alfalfa Profitability by Dan Undersander1 and Ken Barnett2 1Extension Forage Specialist, Madison, WI 2Extension Educator, Center for Dairy Profitability, Madison, WI Shorter rotations mean greater profit per acre for the entire farm because of higher alfalfa yield, higher forage quality, reduced pesticide use, greater nitrogen credits, and increased corn yields. Alfalfa is a […]
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Economics of Alfalfa and Corn Silage Rotations by Ken Barnett1 April 2006 Introduction Alfalfa is a major profit center on most dairy farms. The annual yield for alfalfa has the largest impact on its profitability. As the stand ages, the yield declines due to environmental stresses, wheel traffic, and diseases. Since alfalfa yield declines with advancing […]
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Bloat by Dan Undersander and Dave Combs What is bloat? Bloat is a digestive disorder characterized by an accumulation of gas in the first two compartments of a ruminant’s stomach (the rumen and reticulum). Production of gas (primarily carbon dioxide and methane) is a normal result of fermentation processes. The gas is usually discharged by belching (erutication) but, […]
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Agronomic Considerations for Molds and Mycotoxins in Corn Silage by Mike Rankin and Craig Grau Introduction Mycotoxins have long been a concern to livestock producers when environmental conditions during the growing season were conducive to mold growth on the field crop. Mycotoxins are now more frequently being associated with crops like corn silage that include not just grain […]
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Improving Forage and TMR Bunk Life by Jim Leverich and Randy Shaver Introduction Forages and total mix rations (TMRs) that begin heating after they are fed can lower dry matter intake and animal performance. Proper management during ensiling and feeding can minimize heating in the feed bunk and improve palatability. What causes feed to heat in a bunk? […]
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September, 2012 Space Late Summer Cutting Management of Alfalfa by Dan Undersander, Forage Agronomist Difficult alfalfa harvesting conditions sometimes result in farmers being off schedule for late summer harvesting alfalfa. This raises the question of best cutting management of alfalfa harvest as the end of summer approaches. If we want good winter survival and rapid greenup for […]
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Red Clover Forages for Lactating Dairy Cows by Patrick C. Hoffman and Glen A. Broderick Introduction Red clover is a legume that is well adapted to poorly drained soils and more tolerant of lower soil pH and fertility than alfalfa. The yield potential of red clover is excellent and red clover varieties can have higher forage […]
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space Space Late Summer Planting Legumes to Produce Nitrogen Credits for Next Year by Dan Undersander, Department of Agronomy Carrie Laboski, Department of Soil Science The high price of nitrogen fertilizer has increased interest in planting a legume crop after wheat or canning crop harvest as a green manure to provide some nitrogen credits for next year’s crop. This […]
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Calculating Grain Yield Utilizing a Corn Silage Forage Test by Matthew Lippert, Wood Co. UW-Extension Agricultural Agent Introduction Routine laboratory forage analysis of corn silage typically includes percent starch determination for the feed. Nutritionists utilize this information to partition Non-Fiber Carbohydrate (NFC) portions into % starch, % sugar and other NFC components to optimize production and animal […]
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