Does corn silage really need to be that much different for heifers versus cows? According to Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional science for Pioneer Hi-Bred, the answer is yes since high fat deposits in growing heifers can cause havoc and production issues down the line. Hear how producers can potentially manage this problem and their crops to reduce … Read More
Preserving High Quality Silage
Do all forage additives improve the nutrient quality of silage? Bill Rutherford, research coordinator, Pioneer Forage Additive Group, answers that question and explains the process of preserving high quality silage. He highlights how forage additives can rapidly lowering ph levels and impact nutrients in a positive manor. Bill offers suggestions on how producers can ensure they are buying a quality … Read More
Silage Innoculants
Silage innoculants are discussed in this segment of the Pioneer Forage Forum, with information provided by Bill Rutherford, research coordinator, Pioneer Forage Additive Research Group. In addition to the much talked about L. buchneri, Rutherford provides information on organisms which also have an important role as components of silage inoculants. He explains why it is important to have multiple strains … Read More
Storage Time and Feeding Value
Timing is no more important than when it comes to feeding silage after harvest. Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, offers background and details on this subject in the latest Forage Forum segment. He also answers the question, does silage ever completely stabilize? Listen in for his answer as well as information on inoculants helping to conserve sugars … Read More
Starch in Fermented Grains
Starch in Fermented Grains is the topic of this Forage Forum segment, with information provided by Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager. Dr. Mahanna reviews the importance of the form of corn when it is fed, especially to cattle feeders. Additionally, he weighs in on the pros and cons of high-moisture corn, focusing on the fermentation process and … Read More
Kernel Texture
Just what exactly is kernel texture? Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, explores this question while comparing hard starch vs. soft starch. He also explains the link to digestibility and touches upon current Ohio State University research on corn grain and corn silage – what are the influences on feedability and what is the role of fermentation? Bill … Read More
Total-Tract Starch Digestibility
With rising corn prices, a clear understanding of total-tract starch digestibility is as important as ever, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. Additionally, Bill explains the differences when starch is digested in the rumen of the cow versus in the intestine, and how this balance works. New research and tests are giving producers a … Read More
Fermentation Can Bring Value Worth Waiting For
Up to 60 days of fermentation before feeding can improve starch digestibility, particularly with high-moisture corn, reports Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager. It’s important, though, to control fermentation, keeping feedstuffs fresh and reducing shrink losses. When feeding both high-moisture corn and corn silage, ensiling can help head off issues like spring acidosis. The overall goal is a … Read More
Grain Particles: The Relationship of Size to Speed
Among dairy nutritionists, grain particle size is of increasing interest, particularly for high-moisture corn. Intuition suggests the smaller the particles, the faster the starch digestion. Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, confirms this. In addition, he calls attention to the importance of particle hardness and distribution in processing for improved feed value. Bill also offers insight on what … Read More
Weighing in on Kernel Vitreousness
Issues on ruminant starch digestibility (STRD) include vitreousness—harder starch—vs. soft, floury endosperm in commercial corn germplasm. As part of a series of Pioneer Forage Forum segments highlighting STRD research, Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, condenses decades of research on this topic. His review includes recent conclusions, with viewpoints on how to identify real-world findings and make practical … Read More