Inoculating silage is a standard practice, but have you wondered why or how it works? Pioneer Hi-Bred has the world’s largest collection of lactic acid bacteria, the beneficial organisms used in silage inoculants. Scott Dennis, Pioneer ruminant microbiologist, looks at why inoculates work. Dennis says the purpose of making silage is for year-round feed, and preserving nutrients aids in accomplishing … Read More
NIR on Choppers
Silage evaluation can be a timely process. Following harvest, a sample needs to be bagged and sent to a lab for evaluation. At Pioneer Hi-Bred, experts are using near-infrared technology (NIR) on research choppers which offers a much faster turnaround time for evaluating the nutritional value of silage hybrids. Kevin Putnam, Pioneer dairy specialist, discusses the benefits of Pioneer using … Read More
Feeding High Moisture Corn
High moisture corn offers growers both agronomic and nutritional benefits. Fred Owens, Pioneer senior research scientist, discusses some of these benefits, including, high digestibility, earlier harvest window and increased nutritional energy value. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-54-wdd.mp3] Fred Owens on Feeding High Moisture Corn (5:00 min MP3) To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click here.
Impact of Growing Conditions on Nutritional Value of Silage
Growing conditions can vary from year to year and this variance can impact the nutritional value of the silage. In this edition of the Pioneer Forage Forum podcast, Pioneer livestock information manager Jim Smith explains the effects of solar radiation, moisture and heat at different stages of plant growth. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-53-wdd.mp3] Jim Smith on the Impact of Growing Conditions on Nutritional … Read More
Measuring Feed Quality Performance
In this edition of the Pioneer Forage Forum podcast, Bill Ramsey, Pioneer livestock information manager, discusses several ways to measure feed quality performance. Ramsey looks at three questions producers should consider when evaluating the nutritional value of their feed. Some ways to measure feed value include, NIR on choppers and the physical makeup of the silage. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-52.mp3] Bill Ramsey on … Read More
Breeding Corn Hybrids for Silage
Breeding corn for silage is very much like a conventional program for grain. The main difference is the equipment used to measure the end product. Bill Curran, Pioneer research scientist, discusses some of the key traits producers and breeders are looking to achieve. Some key traits include dry matter, tonnage and starch digestibility. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-51-wdd.mp3] Bill Curran on Breeding Corn Hybrids … Read More
Assessing Spring Alfalfa Stands
Now is the time to start assessing the yield potential for alfalfa stands – looking for potential winterkill concerns. There are several factors that affect winter injury, such as stand age, variety, soil conditions, such as pH fertility and fall moisture, timing of the last cut and cutting interval. In some parts of the country, snow cover is also a … Read More
Spring Alfalfa Planting
Spring alfalfa planting is just around the corner. David Miller, director of alfalfa breeding at Pioneer, discusses some factors to take into consideration before putting the seed in the ground. Miller looks at seedbed preparation, planting depth and soil quality recommendations. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-49-wdd.mp3] Dave Miller on Spring Alfalfa Planting (4:45 min MP3) To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click … Read More
New Traits in Alfalfa – Picking the Right Variety
Alfalfa was once considered a one-size-fits-all crop. Through alfalfa breeding and technology, new alfalfa traits offer growers options for matching the right product to the right field conditions. David Miller, director of alfalfa breeding at Pioneer, discusses these new trait advances. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-48-wdd.mp3] Dave Miller on New Alfalfa Traits (5:18 min MP3) To see all archived Pioneer Forage Forum podcasts, click … Read More
Feed Efficiencies for Difficult Times
The recent turn in dairy commodity prices have producers looking for tactics to boost their bottom lines. Jim Smith, Pioneer livestock information manager, discusses some management practices to maximize production and lower input costs. Smith says to group the herd according to production capabilities and feed those animals accordingly, focusing on the most profitable animals in an operation. Smith also … Read More