Cargill is serious about corn silage...
Since 1987, research from Michigan State University and Cargill
data have scientifically verified what was long suspected: selecting
the right-or wrong-corn hybrids for silage can make a big difference
in your bottom line.
The research shows that most dairy producers can increase their
earnings by better matching corn hybrid characteristics to their
feeding needs. The work shows repeatable differences in important
quality characteristics like whole plant digestibility, neutral
detergent fiber, fiber digestibility, non-fiber carbohydrates and crude
protein.
Here are comments from several Pennsylvania dairy producers and
feed consultants about what Cargill’s Forage Quality Program
means to them.
DAVID MARTIN
Bellefonte, PA
(feed and seed sales)
This program has been of
great interest to me
because dry-matter intake
is extremely important.
It’s also a program that
allows dairy producers to
utilize their forages in the
best possible way. I have seen hybrids that looked
great in the field but their quality was very poor.
In the herds I work with, poor-quality roughage is
one of the biggest limiting factors. Whenever we’re
having problems improving production, it’s
inevitably a problem from low-testing roughages
and dry-matter intake is lower than it should be.
If you’re going to make it in the dairy business,
you must have good quality rdughage.
By planting hybrids selected for their feeding
quality you will increase dry-matter intake,
reduce your cost of purchased feed and help
improve herd health.
DENNIS REIMAN
Berlin, PA
(150 cows)
Having a Cargill TEP
(Tonnage Evaluation Plot)
on my farm has proven to
me that hybrids that look
good in the field may not
necessarily be that great
for feed quality and good
digestibility. I picked one hybrid that I thought
looked like the best in the field and it turned out
to be one of the poorest in digestibility.
Cargill has taken the lead in this cutting-edge
technology. I appreciate the Menu system that
they have developed so I can select hybrids that
will best suit my operation.
I consider several factors when selecting corn
silage, but good digestibility is extremely
important. It appears to me that cows consuming
highly digestible corn silage will have less stress
and they can draw the nutrients they need from
silage in a much more efficient way.
I never thought much about silage quality before
Cargill developed this program. It has really
opened my eyes.
our Pennsylvania customers are, too.
MATURITY
DAY
RANGE
HYBRID
809
Very Early
80-90
2217
2497
2927
3427
3477
3577
Earh
95-100
X 3303
3777
3309FQ
5X269
5547
Medium
105-110
•6227 A
6208FQ
7697
8127
7557
Med.-Late
115-120
7777
X 7301
7897
1527 A
8327
Late
120-130
9027
X 9304
RATING SCALE
9-8 = Outstanding
7 • 6 = Above Average
5 = Average
4 - 3 » Below Average
2-1 ■ Substandard
RON BUTTERMORE
Mt. Pleasant, PA
(50 cows and seed sales)
The dairy producer hag
traditionally looked for
corn that grew the tallest
or had the biggest ear for
corn silage. But Cargill’s
work has shown that there
are other attributes that
are very important to feeding quality. The more
the cow can take in and digest as dry matter the
more she’s going to produce in milk, which means
bottom-line profits.
WALLY YODER
Belleville, PA
(50 cows)
I feel that it’s a very sound
program. A lot of research
and work has been put
into these hybrids and the
Forage Quality Program.
Whether I’m using the
program myself or go out
and sell it to someone else, I know it is second to
none.
YIELD FOR MATURITY
University conducted research supported by Cargill has built the data bas<
developed by the use of In Vitro Rumen Fermentation technology. In Vitro
Cell Wall Digestibility was used to measure fiber digestibility and correlate
CORN SILAGE MENU ■
PLANT FEATURES
AGRONOMIC PRORi®?
StAY
a!»i
For Pennsylvania/Maryland/Virginia Eff
*MHKER/
UPRIGHT
HAW
DENSITY
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UM •