At a towering 16’ tall, corn native to Oaxaca, Mexico grows up to 10 aerial roots [compared to two in a typical plant] that secrete gel to help nitrogen-fixing bacteria survive.
When forage isn’t efficiently packed, plant respiration is extended, which increases heat production and nutrient loss. Learn why dry matter loss is affected by packing density.
What quality of alfalfa and corn silage are the current conditions expected to yield? Forage expert, Dr. John Goeser with Rock River Laboratory, shares what he’s seeing in alfalfa and what he expects for corn.
There are many types of microbes that naturally occur on forage crops in the field. Their populations vary with the weather during the growing season, crop management practices and the plant’s stage of maturity.
A good quality inoculant contains specially-selected dried, but viable, microbes. A little care in how the product is handled can help ensure it works effectively once added to your forage.
Is the bunker or silo ready? It’s never too early to start preparing for corn silage harvest. Corn moisture, particle size, packing density … don’t miss this refresher of harvest considerations from Penn State.
Uniform distribution of inoculants is a critical factor in their effectiveness. The bacteria in inoculants grow where they land on the forage, so it’s important to apply the product evenly across the crop.
Are you planting your alfalfa at the correct time of year? Plan now to seed alfalfa, clover and other grasses in August to allow the plant to develop a root system capable of surviving winter.
Some heating is to be expected as a result of fermentation processes that occur during ensiling. However, if too much oxygen remains, aerobic microorganisms grow, which can cause heating and DM and nutrients losses.
Silage harvest needs to be fast, but not so fast that you don’t take a few minutes to check kernel processor accuracy. Dr. Brian Luck has created an in-field kernel assessment that’s as easy as taking a picture.
Worried the first-cut alfalfa tonnage just won’t be enough? There are times when planting corn for silage right after the first cut is harvested can save the day. Learn if it’s the right option for you.
Alfalfa contains sugars that start to degrade after mowing, and sugars are needed to drive the ensiling fermentation. The key to high-quality hay silage is to wilt the crop to the proper DM level as quickly as possible.
Silage expert Limin Kung Jr explains the three types of inoculants and how to pick the right one. He also shares important tips to manage the mixing and application process because it’s true the devil is in the details
Green-up is a sure sign that spring is here to stay which also means it’s time to check for winter injury to alfalfa and other crops. Learn the two biggest sources of damage to watch for and what to do if you find them
About half of your total yield comes from the first cut of alfalfa. We’ve got tips on when to cut, what to watch for in the plant, and what more and more producers are doing to get their forage out of the field quicker
Using the right amount of bacteria can drive rapid and efficient ensiling fermentation. These “fermentation aids” speed the pH drop and are applied at a minimum of 100,000 CFUs per gram of forage. But what is a CFU?
