INDIANAPOLIS, IND., May 21, 2003 � Five forage industry experts presented their research in a Pre-Conference Symposium, sponsored by Mycogen Seeds; held in conjunction with the Tri-State Dairy Nutrition Conference recently in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

�As a leader in the forage industry, we were pleased to host an event with forage researchers of this caliber,� says Dr. Karl Nestor, senior nutritionist, Mycogen Seeds. �The event was well-attended by nutritionists, producers and other industry leaders.�

Symposium speakers were: Greg W. Roth, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Penn State University; Daniel E. Little, MS, DVM, DairyNet2000; Patrick C. Hoffman, Associate Professor, Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin�Madison; Limin Kung, Jr., Ruminant Nutrition and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, The University of Delaware; and Mike Allen, Michigan State University.

Roth spoke on the �Agronomist�s Perspective of Hybrids for Corn Silage Production.� He explained that taking hybrids and positioning them appropriately on the farm is a key to success. However, the challenge occurs in integrating agronomic and feed quality issues with hybrid selection. Yield can vary widely among hybrids, acknowledges Roth.

�The best hybrids are the most consistent hybrids,� Roth says. �The best predictor of yield potential is performance over multiple sites.�

Roth advises producers to look for those hybrids that perform well in multiple sites based on independent tests and combine this data with that from the seed company, thereby matching hybrid characteristics with agronomic needs.

�I suggest producers consult their nutritionist and develop the forage quality objectives they would like to reach in their corn silage production program,� Roth notes. �Then look for hybrids that balance agronomic performance with the nutritional profile they are trying to achieve.�

Based on research, proof exists there are significant differences between the hybrids commercially available. Consider the availability of different hybrid characteristics and use them in a well thought out plan, in order to continue improving silage quality in your operation, concludes Roth.

Little discussed �Evaluating the Profitability of High Quality Forage.� He identified five ways to determine the impact of a forage change:

1. Change in dry matter intake
2. Change in milk production
3. Change in feed cost
4. Change in body condition
5. Change in cow health and/or reproduction.

�There is one question every producer must ask himself after making a change in forage,� says Little. �Are you making more money now than before the change?� Little uses the elements of rapid assessment, detection, analysis and response to gauge if the changes to the forage are working and contributing to the operation�s profitability.

Hoffman covered the topic of �New Developments in Analytical Evaluation of Forage and Total Mixed Rations (TMR).� He discussed the new advancements in forage testing and ration evaluation, along with addressing the myths about analytical procedures.

�The amount of energy a forage contributes to a ruminant diet is the single most important factor in predicting animal performance,� says Hoffman. �I feel consultants and dairy producers have lost confidence in the ability of forage testing systems to predict the energy content of a forage.�

Hoffman suggests using a summative approach to predict the energy content of forages. However, extensive laboratory testing is needed to determine these factors: crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), fat and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC).

Forage Analysis Tips for Producers:

• Summative energy prediction systems have the greatest use in a TMR and are superior to ration energy estimation techniques.
• One of the greatest problems in measuring TMRs is sampling error.
• Do not underestimate the importance of providing a good forage or TMR sample to your laboratory for analysis.
• Expect to pay more and wait longer for precise forage energy predictions.
• Producers must work closely with nutrition consultants and their laboratory to eliminate false expectations.
• Explain to your laboratory exactly what you are looking for and design a forage evaluation system to meet your needs.

Kung spoke about how to �Manage for Quality Silage.� He says high forage quality drives intake and in turn, this drives milk production.

�Not even the best nutritionists in the world can make cows maximize their milk production if they are working with poor quality forages,� Kung explains. �Corn silage should be harvested when the whole plant is at 32 percent to 35 percent DM or when the kernels are atone-half milk line.� Kung says adequate processing is occurring if more than 90 percent to 95 percent of the kernels are crushed or cracked and cobs are more than quartered. He also offered producers a few tips to make better silage.

Three Key Tips to Making Good Silage:

1. Rapidly exclude air from the forage mass.
2. Rapidly produce of lactic acid and reduce silage pH.
3. Prevent the penetration of air into the silage mass during storage.

Allen discussed Forage Quality: A Nutritionist�s Perspective. Highlights of his presentation included these important points:

• Starch digestibility of corn silage is affected by hybrid, maturity and processing.
• Forage and NDF digestibility is extremely variable.
• Forages with high NDF digestibility have the potential to increase energy intake and milk yield.
• Benefits are greater for high producing cows and cows fed high forage diets.
• In vitro NDF digestibility is an index of filling effect, not necessarily energy content.
• Forage quality is more than energy and protein contents and is highly dependent on animal and diet factors.

�Mycogen Seeds was honored to assemble this talented group of forage researchers,� Nestor concludes. �We believe educational meetings like this symposium will help nutritionists and producers maximize the success of the forages produced, leading to higher milk production.�

Mycogen Seeds is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Mycogen is the leader in Silage-Specific� corn and the largest sunflower seed producer, and is a leading producer of seed corn, alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum.

Contact Information
Name: Greg Cannon
Phone: 317-337-7568
Email: [email protected]

Name: Ronda Pick
Phone: 262-938-5479
Email: [email protected]