Forage Quality Goals for 2009
Composite data for 2008 haylages (Figure 1) shows that the average of legume and mixed haylages are very close to the target RFV of 150, writes Jim Paulson, University of Minnesota, Dairy Extension.

Defining Forage Quality
Forages are a major asset of any livestock operation and the foundation of most rations in a forage-based livestock diet, says Yoana C. Newman, Adegbola T. Adesogan, Joao Vendramini and Lynn Sollenberger, University of Florida IFAS Extension.

Forage Testing
Forage quality won't be hitting it out of the park for dairy producers in many parts of Canada this year as an unusually wet growing season reduced nutrient and digestibility levels, writes Joel Bagg - Forage Specialist; and Tom Wright - Dairy Cattle...

Evaluating Forage Options for Dry Cows
Dry cow nutrition might not be the first thing on your mind given current challenges facing the dairy industry, writes Noah B. Litherland, Extension Dairy Scientist, Minnesota University.

Know Your Environment Because Cows Depend On It
The challenges this winter have been many, writes Kris Ringwall, North Dakota State University Extension Service Beef Specialist.

Hunger Efficiency: The Science of Alternative Forage
Utilising the natural, free benefits that the land can provide is one of the key aims of livestock producers, but understanding all the benefits that good management brings is often unappreciated. Adam Anson, reporting for TheCattleSite, looks at alternative...

Selecting Corn Hybrids for Profitable Silage
Hybrid selection is a key step for profitable production of silage and milk, says Jeff Coulter, Extension Corn Agronomist at the University of Minnesota Dairy Extension.

Forage Oat Update
Most of you know that for the past seven years, we've spent much time in Fairfield County investigating the virtues of oats as an annual forage when they are planted during mid to late summer, and even into early fall, say Curt Stivison and Stan Smith,...

Forage-Based Replacement Heifer Management
The development of replacement heifers is one of the most expensive segments of a cow-calf enterprise reveal Brad Austin, Joel Yelich, and Matt Hersom, UF/IFAS, Department of Animal Sciences. This publication is part of the University of Florida IFAS,...

Testing Forages for Quality
Testing Forages for Quality Can Save Dollars and Makes Cents When Designing Feeding Programs for the Herd, writes Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science Animal Science, University of Nebraska - Lincoln and published by Ohio State University Extension...

Improved Variants of Forage Lead to Energy Efficiency
The efficient use of energy and nitrogen is of increasing importance to the average producer as they strive to get higher returns from forage. To help them achieve this new benchmark of efficiency improved variants of forage are being produced, writes...

Forage Focus: Using Low Quality Hay
Producing high quality hay depends upon cutting the forage plant at a vegetative stage and then getting enough dry sunny days to allow the plants to dry, ideally, to 15 to 18 percent moisture content before baling, writes Extension Educator Rory Lewandowski,...

Increasing the Digestibility of Forages
By Francis L. Fluharty, Ph.D., Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University. Feed costs are rising, and corn price projections are currently maintaining between $4.95 and $5.35 per bushel on corn futures through December 2010.

Coping with Hay Shortages in Beef Cow Wintering Rations
By Christoph Wand - Beef Cattle, Sheep and Goat Nutritionist/OMAFRA. Poor summer weather conditions and hay shortages often create feeding concerns for cow/calf producers

Assessing Needs and Feed Sources: How Much Forage Do I Have?
By Dr. Rocky Lemus, Assistant Extension Professor, Plant and Soil Sciences; Dr. Jane Parish, Associate Extension and Research Professor, Animal and Dairy Science; and Jimmy Parish, Manager, Forage Variety Testing, Plant and Soil Sciences. Published...