New York Dairy Finds Careful Hybrid Selection Boosts Milk Production At No Extra Cost' What’s it worth to plant corn hybrids scientifically screened for their feeding qualities? Enough to cover the cost of all crop inputs for a year, according to the owners of a 1,000-cow New York dairy. “We figure the hybrids we plant for corn silage increase milk produc tion by 4 lbs. or more per day,” says Weir Stewart (left in photo), a partn er at Odyssey Farm near Copake Falls, N.Y. “In our operation, that’s enough to cover the entire cost of fertilizer, seed and planting for one year. “We discovered what differences in corn-silage feeding quality could mean to our bottom line in 1991,” continues Stewart. “That’s when we learned that Cargill Hybrid Seeds had done considerable research to screen hybrids for feeding quality. So we tried some. “There was a definite drop in pro duction when we ran out of the silage from the Cargill hybrids and began feeding other silage. We also discovered that we could plant hybrids that were highly digestible and also yielded excellent tonnage per acre. “We’ve learned that a quality for age program is extremely important to maximize milk production,” says Stewart. “It’s very difficult to over come poor forage quality, even when you add the expense of a good sup plementation program.” Since 1987, many dairy and beef producers who planted Cargill hybrids have related similar experi ences to those at Odyssey Farm. That’s the year Cargill Hybrid Seeds began selecting and screening hybrids through an extensive evalua tion program for corn silage. QO/ CASH DISCOUNT 9/0 ENDS DEC. 15,1995 BIG BUCK CONTEST * Order Seed By Opening Day Of Buck Season ■ Shoot The Largest Buck (Field Dressed Weight) * Win Your Seed Order Free (SO Units Msximum) Selected for Profit Potential Hybrids are selected on the basis of their potential to increase the profitability of /- livestock operations by /* enhancing forage yield, reduc- m ing feed supplement costs and improving animal performance. Hybrid offerings cover 80- to 120- day maturities. The research shows repeatable differences in important quality char acteristics such as whole plant digest ibility, neutral detergent fiber, fiber digestibility, non-fiber carbohydrates and crude protein. Odyssey Farm managers found the research especially important to their operation since they prefer feeding rations with higher amounts of corn silage than haylage. Corn silage is easier to manage from both a crop-production and feeding stand point, they say. “It’s difficult to harvest alfalfa with consistently high feed value in . an operation this large,” says partner Bob Kimmel (right in photo). “Alfal fa must be cut and harvested several CENTRAL & WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA and MARYLAND DEALERS Andgrow Fertilizer Rum Judy Ea*t Berlin, Qattyaburg, Spring Mill*, PA Carllil*, Seven Valley* and . . . Culbeit*on, PA J °" n Klrk _ Warfordtburg, PA Agronomy Csnttr * uri . r Thompwntown, PA WOOdy Kyptr HuntlnQdon, PA Woyno LaMont _ *' Mvwtlek). PA Forman Landis Bollovlllo Flour Mill Belleville. PA L *' Mnan _ Cbambertburg, PA Jim Boyar _.... .. Upperco, MO P Ju*m. ?A McQoo A Smith Spring Run, PA Sam Muomf SNppemburg, PA EnonvuS? Rolfsnldor VM Supply Kaymar, MO Kon DoKeh ..... BoOng Spring*. .PA Fabln Bro. Fmm. Equlpmant iiaaww, rn ■ l « OOnHimi “ Shads Oap Farm Supply Shade Oap, PA J^T°PA y • Tom Stouffor . ' * Maroanburg, PA Tharpo A Qroon Mill „ ' CNmnvWa. MD Qaor Farm A Homo .. . . „ sa^s “"’"S'K'"'' WlndrMg* Parmt _ Germantown, MO Hlnloh Food A Farm ....... Suoolv Aoitn zocnor cTTui IV, JaOaraon. MO Bruno Holnaldor Allan WHllama i PA uiwmuurg Choator Horst QraaneaaH*. PA oenevwe, ™ times a year and it can be difficult to harvest at the best time for maximum quality. Corn silage needs to be harvested only once during the growing season so total labor and equipment costs are less. The time available to harvest quality corn silage is much wider than the time available to harvest haylage. “Good-quality forage is the basic building block of any ration,” he adds. “I’ve been involved in the dairy business for more than 25 years, and I’ve learned that cows are more healthy and give more milk when they eat more. Those that are eating the most dry matter are usually the healthiest. A highly digestible ration can affect milk production, improve health and improve breed-back and conception rates.” EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA And NEW JERSEY DEALERS: Adorno Bros. Shoarnaliersvllla, PA Anthony's Food Mill Strauulown, PA Honry Barloy LancaMar, PA Homor Ball Lebanon, PA Braund Valloy Farms Troy, PA M. Brubakor Mount Joy, PA Carglll/Mariotta Marietta, PA Ronald Carty Cotumbu*. NJ Donnls Cunfor LaNgMon, PA FrodFroy OuanyvWe, PA -J. Martin Qrofl EphratfcPA J affray Hart FotkivMa, PA Frank Inolnga LaoyvMa. PA Klntnor Milling Co. Inc. BMonboaa, PA LAKMHts.Inc. Benton, pa Paul Klino LWtz.PA Robort Kroldor OuarryviHa, PA Locust Brook Ag. Cantor Manheim. PA William MacCauloy Ray Mattor MWenburg, PA Millar Equlpmant Co. BMMtllviNt, PA OavMNolt AnmOe. PA Melvin Holt Wrftlanrt BA vS9llsnQi NoH'o Mill Inc. um BA vWiiSfi Robort Pfloogor MMon, PA Reynold Rolnort pa Wllmor Rush —*.. i. BA MoMn Shortzor MMaravMe, PA „ Choator Solty’a Spring C«y, PA For Information, contact your local Cargill Hybrid Saadadaalar UVDDin o'®* lll - 800 * 34 -® 941 - nlDnlU 717-731-9899 \[[||\ 3536 Countryside Urns ULUIU Camp Hill, Pa. 17011 Atglan, PA
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