Quality forage for dairy was one of many topics addressed during the 17th annual U.S. Ag Associates Conference hosted by Stoller USA in Houston on January 25-27.

Dairy specialist Les Yoder with Homestead Nutrition works not only to help improve the nutritional value of dairy feed, but also works on crop and soil nutrition and he spoke about the benefits of good feed nutrition.

“The forage component of the rations is extremely important to how we’re able to balance that program and make that cow very productive while maintaining health and profitability,” said Yoder. The better quality the forage is, the less a farmer has to depend on other things like the purchase of additional feed (corn and soybeans). “Quality forage is extremely, extremely important in a profitable dairy nutrition’s diet,” he said.

Yoder began using Stoller’s Bio-Forge nearly 10 years ago implementing that product for corn silage for dairy rations and began seeing some benefits of improved quality, digestibility and plant health – all of which made a better ration. He also noted that it helped to make a healthier and less expensive diet.

Listen to an interview with Les conducted by reporter Joanna Schroeder who covered the conference for Agwired.