The Genuine Quarterly

June 2020

Facing the forage shortage challenge

NDF, the measurement of fiber in plants, is a big concern when we have shortages in forage inventories on farm.

            Here are some NDF sources we can use in place of forage:

• Cottonseed
  • Byproduct of the clothing industry
  • Supplies protein and fat along with NDF
  • Slow release fat source
  • Helps butterfat production
• Corn gluten
  • By- product of the corn syrup industry
  • Usually very cost effective
  • Pelleted form provides scratch or effective fiber
• Soyhulls
  • Byproduct of the vegetable oil industry
  • Provides very digestible fiber along with NDF
  • Pelleted form adds bulk to diets
• Distillers
  • By product of ethanol production
  • Provides energy and protein along with NDF
• Brewers grains
  • By product of beer or malt brewing
  • Protein and digestible fiber along with NDF
• Wheat Midds
  • By product of milling wheat to flour
  • Highly palatable and 92% of the energy of corn
  • Usually very cost effective

TMR consistency is a very important factor in times of short forages. When we are utilizing byproduct feeds to replace NDF from forage, we are shortening feed length. The byproduct feeds are also more quickly digested in the rumen than most forages. In other words, the byproduct feeds supply NDF but they do not provide effective fiber and may cause digestibility problems. It’s important that the TMR is really consist to allow the rumen to be more stable and in turn, helping the cows utilize more of the feed for production and components.         

The choppers are rolling, but we have to remember that it is most ideal for our alfalfa and grass haylages need to ferment for 14-21 days.

Yields are coming in a bit lower than expected due to inclemet weather and a slow growing season. When that happens, we shift to higher corn silage to fill the gap. We need to keep a close eye on those silage inventories so that we don’t fall short there as well.

If you have an organic farm…

Just a quick note for you.

Pasture season each year can be tricky. Make sure diets are accounting for fresh grass-especially adding magnesium,  adjusting energy levels, and watching dry matter intakes.