Starch Digestibility: Concentrate on the Controllable

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Dairy Business, Feed, Forage Forum, General, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

While ruminant starch digestibility (STRD) is a complex subject, producers’ control can be simplified by addressing basic critical factors: harvest moisture, particle size and length of time in fermentation. Dr. Bill Mahanna, Pioneer Global Nutritional Sciences Manager, offers details, particularly on the influence of moisture and the extent of fermentation in high moisture corn. This is the first in a … Read More

Alfalfa Traits: Manage by Objective

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

To optimize alfalfa performance, one-size-fits-all is no longer in style. Today’s grower can tailor variety selection to manage specific production challenges, observes Dave Miller, Alfalfa Research Director for Pioneer Hi-Bred. The result can be a better fit with bottom-line goals. This includes production objectives based on quantity or quality, as well as defensive objectives for insects, disease and standability. Dave … Read More

Alfalfa Genetics: Winning Percentages

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Among seed genetics, alfalfa is a non-conformist. Due to biological limitations, achieving the genetic uniformity that occurs in corn, soybeans, wheat, etc. is not possible. Within each alfalfa variety, there is a range of performance for critical agronomic categories. As explained by Dave Miller, Alfalfa Research Director for Pioneer Hi-Bred, this is why ratings for disease and insect resistance, fall … Read More

Evaluate Alfalfa Winterkill for Go/No-Go Decision

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred

Early to mid-April, when alfalfa begins to green up, is the time to assess the degree of damage from winterkill. Dan Wiersma, account manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred, offers tips on what to look for, both above and below ground, to evaluate alfalfa stands just ahead of the upcoming growing season. Dan also discusses options to consider if those stands are … Read More

Dairyline Markets In Review

Chuck ZimmermanDairyline, Forage Forum, General, Markets

Dairy Markets Week in Review Cash block cheese ended the final week of January at $1.3325 per pound, down 1 1/2 cents on the week, but 9 1/4 cents above that week a year ago. Barrel closed Friday at $1.3750, up a penny on the week, and 16 1/2 cents above a year ago. 2 cars of block traded hands … Read More

Milk 2006: New Values Mean a More Useful Equation

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

The new Milk 2006 equation for silage corn from the University of Wisconsin reflects important modifications to the Milk 2000 version, according to Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. Neutral digestive fiber (NDF) values can now be entered from any time point. Milk 2000 accommodated only a 48-hour value. Also, starch digestibility values can now … Read More

Why’s and What-For’s of VFA Profiles

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Why has interest increased in testing for volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles in silages? Because nutritionists are looking for ways to better fine-tune rations, and because laboratories have responded with advanced technologies in testing for VFA’s. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred, provides a brief refresher on VFA’s. Citing Pioneer research, he offers observations on … Read More

Shifting the Blame for Milk Butterfat Depression

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Conventional wisdom has linked milk butterfat depression mostly to low fiber content. Theories on what creates this problem are now shifting, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. Studies indicate that as a result of higher-energy silage corn rations, trans-fatty acids from oils in forages and grains may account for much of this depression. The … Read More

Vitreousness: Hard Facts Lead to Softened Concerns

Chuck ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Among silage corn issues, vitreousness generates more noise than it deserves, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. This is the hard starch on the outside of the corn kernel that develops late in maturity, contributing to high test weight. Bill says research based solely on dry corn at 15.5% moisture is not relevant to … Read More

Accurate Analysis Begins with Smart Sampling

Chuck ZimmermanAgribusiness, Audio, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred

Pioneer Hi-Bred Forage Forum Podcast At what point can inaccuracies plague the testing of corn silage? The greater potential for problems is not in the laboratory, but instead in the sampling, according to Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. Because analysis can be no better than the samples themselves, Bill offers suggestions for performing steps safely and effectively, from acquisition to preservation to shipment. This includes alternative methods when the “magic number of 12” samples isn’t practical.