Forage Forum Archives

Forages from Pioneer Hi-Bred

Pioneer Livestock experts provide timely advice.

CORN SILAGE
	Bunker Set Up and Management Bunker management can have a serious impact on the nutritional value of silage. Most management revolves around keeping oxygen out of the forage mass. Paul Porter, Pioneer dairy specialist, looks at some keys to bunker management. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 3.99 MB \| Time: 05:49)
	Harvest Timing Effects on Corn Silage Nutrient Composition Leo Brown, Pioneer livestock information manager, explains how to improve the nutritional value of corn silage by chopping at an optimal time. Brown also suggests packing well for good fermentation and adequate aerobic stability at feedout. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.56 MB \| Time: 05:27)
	High Chop Effects on Corn Silage Nutrient Composition Chop height can have an impact on silage nutrient composition. Leo Brown, Pioneer livestock information manager, discusses how to determine the optimum harvest window for corn silage and how that time frame can impact its nutritional value. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.43 MB \| Time: 05:11)
	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 Pioneer researchers a much faster turnaround time for evaluating the nutritional value of silage hybrids. Kevin Putnam, Pioneer dairy specialist, discusses the benefits of Pioneer using NIR on their research choppers. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.58 MB \| Time: 05:29)
	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. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 3.51 MB \| Time: 04:59)
	Feed Efficiencies Key during Challenging Times in the Dairy Industry 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 recommends continuous evaluation of nutrients and ingredients being fed. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.39 MB \| Time: 05:13)
	Measuring Feed Quality Performance Bill Ramsey, Pioneer livestock information manager, discusses several ways to measure feed quality performance. Ramsey looks at three questions each producer should consider when evaluating the nutritional value of his or her feed. Some ways to measure feed value include NIR on choppers and the physical make up of the silage. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.25 MB \| Time: 04:47)
	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. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.41 MB \| Time: 05:08)
ALFALFA
	Alfalfa PEAQ method and RFQ 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 on timing the first alfalfa cutting. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.50 MB \| Time: 05:27)
FORAGE ADDITIVES
	Corn Specificity Why does Pioneer have so many different silage inoculants? Pioneer microbiologists have focused on bacterial strains unique to each crop. Bacteria have special niches that they fill. Like humans in a room, some like it a little colder or warmer - bacteria works much the same way, designed for a specific environment. Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional services for Pioneer, says Pioneer is improving the nutritional value and preserving the quality of the crop by using specific products. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.00 MB \| Time: 03:58)
	Silage Additive Feeding Experience 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. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 3.72 MB \| Time: 05:25)
	Inoculants - The Role of Each Strain Have you ever wondered how inoculants work and what job each inoculant strain serves? Scott Dennis, Pioneer Hi-Bred technical services manager for forage additives, sorts through the information, explaining the role for each strain and the impact it has on silages. Listen (MP3 \| File Size: 2.47 MB \| Time: 05:24)