Hybrid Selections for Silage Quality

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

With high commodity prices, it is important to maximize profit from every acre. Silage performance can vary depending on hybrid selection. Performance consistency can be different from one hybrid to the next. Leo Brown, livestock information manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred, says growers need to look at maturity and agronomic needs first then yield, tonnage and fiber digestibility when making a … Read More

Silage Additive Feeding Experiences

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

Looking for answers as to how NDF digestibility impacts dairy production? Pioneer Hi-Bred nutritional sciences veterinarian, Bill Seglar, explains how the types of forages being fed will impact neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Furthermore, Seglar talks about the value of silage additives and the role they play in nutrition. [audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://zimmcomm.biz/pioneer/pioneer-podcast-39-wdd.mp3] Bill Seglar on NDF Digestibility (5:30 min MP3) To see all … Read More

Alphabet Forages

Cindy ZimmermanAnimal Health, Audio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Have trouble sorting out PENDF, NDF and PEF? Pioneer Hi-Bred nutritional sciences veterinarian, Bill Seglar, explains these acronyms and their value to producers. “This information offers producers the ability to add up physically effective fiber coming from all different types of forages that are being brought into the ration to see if it meets the requirements of the total ration,” … Read More

Moldy Silages

Cindy ZimmermanAnimal Health, Audio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Moldy silages can create a variety of concerns for producers. Pioneer nutritional sciences veterinarian, Bill Seglar, discusses the effects of moldy silages. Additionally, Seglar explains how to identify moldy silages as well as how to reduce and remove the problem. Seglar says moldy silages are the result of an energy-consuming, spore-forming microbe, known as molds, that deplete the silage of … Read More

Using Infrared Technology for Bunker Management

Cindy ZimmermanAnimal Health, Audio, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

With increased feed costs, producers are looking to refine management techniques for optimum feeding. Pioneer recently invested in an infrared camera that shows heat in the silage face. This technology shows several qualities about the silage in the bunker. With this camera, Pioneer professionals can show producers if silage was packed properly, if the method for feeding silage from the … Read More

Heat Stress and Nutrition

Cindy ZimmermanAnimal Health, Audio, Feed, Forage Forum, Nutrition, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

As we head into the summer months and temperatures begin to rise, producers need to monitor feed rations. Inevitably, dairy cows will go through an intake depression. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, says we need to pay close attention to our starch digestibility – how much effective fiber is in the ration. Producers need to have … Read More

Biology of Hay and Haylage Drying

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

With rising hay prices, growers are looking to management practices to achieve a high-quality crop. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, discusses alfalfa management and suggests growers refine alfalfa curing practices to maintain integrity of harvested hay. Rapid, uniform curing of alfalfa is most desirable. However, recent research reveals forages don’t dry at a uniform rate. Proper … Read More

Managing Forage Quality

Cindy ZimmermanAlfalfa, Audio, Feed, Forage Forum, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

Dr. David Miller, director of alfalfa research for Pioneer, talks about the importance of forage quality. Forage quality has several definitions, depending on whether you are a beef producer or a dairy producer. Forage quality cannot always be expressed through a number, but rather how well an animal will perform when it is fed alfalfa, says Miller. Achieving high forage … Read More

PEAQ and RFQ

Cindy ZimmermanAudio, Feed, Forage Forum, Nutrition, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Podcast

The PEAQ (Predictive Equation for Alfalfa Quality) method was developed around the relative feed value (RFV) which looks at the quantity of fiber. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer, takes a look at determining not just the quantity of fiber but the digestibility of that fiber through RFQ or relative feed quality testing. Mahanna also comments … Read More