JUD HEINRICHS
Professor, Animal Science
Penn State
An area that is critical in quality
feed is harvesting forages at the
proper dry matter content, espe
cially if die material is going to be
ensiled. If the dry matter content is
not correct for the type of storage
structure used and results in
improper fermentation, then
depressed dry matter intakes and
lower milk production may occur.
In a year of high feed costs and
questionable milk prices, you
can’t afford to put up poor quality
forage.
The dry matter content of a for
age dictates the ability of the crop
to undergo proper fermentation
for optimal use of nutrients com
ing out of a silage storage struc
ture. Proper dry matter content is
extremely important for balage in
order for it to undergo normal fer
mentation and minimize the
chance of mold formation or a do-
Table 1 Recotnmet
Wilt to a 40 to 70% moisture content
• For oxygen-limiting tower silos, preferably will to 40 to 50% moisture
• For conventional tower silos, preferably wilt to JO to 60% moisture
• For honronial silos, including plasbc tubes, preferably wilt to 55 to 65% moisture.
• For balage, pieferably wilt to 50 to 60% moisture
. n* m*Ti
• Welght-Tronlx • Bucket Elevators • Feed Bins
Feed Mill • Stirring Systems • Wet Tanks
• Transport Augers • Utility Augers • Grain Bins
‘& : a
II Line Parts Dept. ★ Sell, Service & Install
. 272 South -14 Herrville Rd.
Willow Street, PA 17584
Ph: 717-464-3321 or
Toll Free 800-732-0053
. _ , . __ _ „ Store Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Serving Via Industry For Ovor 35 roan
Harvest Forages At The Proper Dry Matter Levels
stridial type of fermentation.
Table 1 lists some suggested
methods for making hay-crop
silage.
In addition to harvesting quality
forage, purchasing forage may
offer some advantages in reducing
overall feed costs and should not
be overlooked as an option. Using
the Penn State Dairy Forages
Template, a break-even price for
purchasing forages can be used
based on the price of com, 48%
soybean meal, and legume hay. If
com is $4.60/bu, 48% soybean
meat is $316/ton, and legume hay
is $ll3/ton, the break-even costs
for some forages are as follows:
An example of how the follow
ing information can be used is if
first cutting legume hay, bud is
available forsl lOAon, then it is a
good buy based on the current
prices of com, soybean meal, and
legume hay. However, if the price
is over $123/ton, then that hay
would not be considered a good
buy.
E/HHERR
AVI
BINS AND
Year*s Crop! i
GS
= N!
WESTFIELD GRAIN AUGERS
Quality Product At An
Affordable Price!
Early Order Discount* Now In Effect
★ Fi
Rl
This template is available from
Penn State and most local
cooperative extension offices at
no charge. Break-even prices are
also available on many other for
ages. The template can be custom-,
ized according to prices in your'
local area. This program is avail
able for IBM computers that have
Excel or Lotus. If interested in
getting copy, send a 3.5” disk to
“Forage Template” c/o Virginia
Ishler, 324 Henning Building,
University Park, PA 16875.
Hanson
BRATTLEBORO. Vt For
the second year in succession the
Ayrshire breed and its members
have benefited from the generosity
of Dr. Hanson, a Colorado member
committed to the Ayrshire breed.
Ardrossan Trident Lucy •
#1012772, has been donated by
Hanson to the national sale to be
held July 13 in Mansfield, Ohio.
The proceeds are contributed to
a fund utilized for projects directed
to genetic improvement of the
breed. As many as 30 Ayrshire
enthusiasts contributed last year to
help the fund swell to $4,500. It is
anticipated the same enthusiasm
will prevail as Dr. Hanson’s dona
tion crosses the auction block July
13.
- aJC. **
• Air Drying Systems
• Grain Dryers
• Parts & Motors
First cuttings
Legume hay, pre bud
Legume hay, bud
Legume hay, bloom
Mixed mostly grass hay, pre head
Mixed mostly grass hay, early bead
Mixed mostly grass hay, full head
Mixed mostly legume hay, pre bud
Mixed mostly legume hay, bud
Mixed mostly legume hav. bloom
Offers Ardrossan Lucy
Breeders are reminded it’s pos
sible to make tax deductible contri
butions to the fund— a commit
ment that could help increase the
pace for Ayrshire genetic process.
Dr. Hanson owns one of the
Grazing Meeting Set
ELIMSPORT (Lycoming Co.) Elimsport
The multicounty Penn State For more information on this
extension unit in the central Sus- future meetings, call Dave
quehanna Valley will sponsor its Hartman al the Columbia County
second pasture and grazing meet- Extension Office at (717)
ing of 1996 on Friday, May 24 at 784-6660, Phil Durst at the Mon
-10 a.m. at the Enos Beiler farm County Extension Office at
near Elimsport . 1(800) 326-7410. or Tom Murphy
This is a dairy farm that utilized a t the Lycoming County Extension
grazing as a major part of the feed- office at (717) 327-2350.
ing program. It is the first form on
the right along Route 44 north of
SUSPENDED COMPOST STALLS
For Modern Tie Barns
Coated with baked-on top grade TGIC polyester
- urethane powder after fabrication
SS-iSG
SSIS
ss w
ba
most productive registered Ayr
shire herds in the United States and
recently added the famed Ardros
san hod following the death of
owner Hope Scott of Villanova.
All welded construction to
give many years of trouble
free service
Stall constructed with 1.9
0.D., .133 wall., high strength
tube and 2” square tube post
with 1/4” wall
CHECK THESE
ADVANTAGES OF
SUSPENDED
COMFORT
More comfort for cows
Easy cleaning, bedding &
milking with no rear stall
post
• No rust problem
• Adjustable tie rail
• Trough dividers
• Less trampled teat problems
than with conventional stalls
LAPP’S
,N EQUIPMENT
5935 OLD PHILADELPHIA PIKE, GAP, PA 17527
PHONE: 717-442-8134
- Radio Dispatched Trucks -
$142 99
$123.57
$94.20
$115.63
$87.77
$55.35
$136.22
SI 12.78
$83.52
STALLS
ton