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Do you know enough about corn silage to make the grade? Visit Silage University and find out!

August 23rd, 2010 by Courtney Beck

As students sharpen their pencils and football fields start to fill up with fans, we’re ready to hit the books ourselves. NutriDense is excited to announce Silage University, an online learning tool for dairy producers, seed representatives and all those involved in the dairy industry.

This training module features a wealth of technical information portrayed through University researcher quotes, animated diagrams and visuals, and is a way to learn more about high-quality corn silage and the role it plays in improving profitability through increased feed efficiency.

Here are a few of the topics covered in Silage University:

  • What is high-quality corn silage?
  • Why is corn silage important to dairy production?
  • How can high-quality corn silage increase feed efficiency?
  • What are the different types of corn silage, and why are some better than others?

To “attend” Silage University or to get more information, click on the image above or visit www.silageu.com.

Feed Efficiency: Effect of Corn Silage Quality and Hybrid Selection

August 11th, 2010 by Rich Lutz

Feed costs in dairy rations are no doubt the largest single expense associated with milk production, as often they can average in excess of 50% of production costs.  Feed Efficiency (FE), also known as milk production efficiency, is often utilized to benchmark herds in terms of their relative profitability.

Hutjens (2007 and 2010)1, 2 offers practical approaches to feed efficiency and their applications on dairy operations.  With regard to silage quality contributing to feed efficiency, Hutjens points out the following:

  • As neutral detergent fiber (NDF) percent in the ration dry matter increased, FE declined from 1.8 to 1.4 based on Journal of Dairy Science data from 2002 to 2004.  FE values remained constant at 35 percent NDF and above.
  • Currently, with herd FE ranging from 1.4 to 1.7, each change in 0.1 point is worth approximately 34 cents per cow per day.
  • Feeding high-quality forage is a key solution.  Consider increasing corn silage levels in rations as cost per cow per day may drop 15- 30 cents as protein prices remain competitive.
  • Evaluate the use of silages with more effective fiber and high neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD).

For more practical tips on increasing feed efficiency, click here to read the paper.

Additionally, feeding corn silage hybrids with increased fiber digestibility has been shown to significantly increase FE in dairy herds.  Spain and Sampson (2007)3 published findings determining the feed values and ultimate effect on FE utilizing a corn silage hybrid with NutriDense Silage traits:

  • Cows fed NutriDense Silage produced 71.7 pounds/cow/day compared to 70 pounds/cow/day for cows receiving conventional corn silage.Based on dry matter intake, cows receiving NutriDense Silage were 11.4% more efficient than cows fed conventional silage (1.56 vs. 1.4).
  • In related in vitro work, Spain and Sampson observed a 13% increase in the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) with NutriDense Silage when compared to conventional silage.
  • This positive measurement of fiber utilization supports that NutriDense Silage contains favorable fiber for energy contribution to the overall TMR used in the feeding trial.

More recently, Chase (2010)4 conducted a trial with lactating dairy cows to examine the relationship between corn silage hybrid fiber digestibility, milk production, dry matter intake and feed efficiency.  Results demonstrated that:

  • Cows fed NDS had significantly better feed efficiencies when compared to cows receiving either BMR or conventional hybrid silages.Feed efficiency (kg 3.5% fat corrected milk/kg dry matter intake) was significantly higher for cows fed NDS (1.87) compared with either BMR (1.76) or conventional (1.74) rations (P<0.002).
  • Dairy consultants utilizing FE numbers to evaluate dairy production profitability may wish to consider how silage quality and hybrid selection can affect those values.

Rich Lutz is a forage specialist with BASF Plant Science. You can contact him at rich.lutz@basf.com.

References:

1 Hutjens, M.F.  2007.  Practical approaches to feed efficiency and applications on the farm.  Penn State Dairy Cattle Nutrition Workshop Proceedings.  Pages 1-7.

2 Hutjens, M.F.  2010.  Lessons learned with low milk prices.  2010 NEAFA Dairy Health and Nutrition Conference Proceedings.  Pages 18-21.

3 Spain, J.N. and J.D. Sampson.  2007.  Use of NutriDense corn for corn and corn silage in diets fed to high producing dairy cows.  J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 85, Suppl. 1/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 90 Suppl. 1.  Page 556.

4 Chase, L.E.  2010.  Milk production and feed efficiency in dairy cows fed corn silage hybrids varying in fiber digestibility.  2010 ADSA PSA AMPA CSAS ASAS Joint Annual Meeting, Denver CO.   Abstract #813.

Cornell University Feed Efficiency Study Featured in Progressive Dairyman

August 11th, 2010 by Greg Jones

With the dairy industry facing economic constraints, producers are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing milk production. One place to look is feed — when feed efficiency increases, producers are able to get the same milk with less feed.

The results of a recent feed efficiency study performed by Dr. Larry Chase, professor and dairy nutrition extension specialist at Cornell University, were featured in the July 1 issue of Progressive Dairyman in an article titled “Improve feed efficiency, increase profitability by selecting high-quality corn silage hybrids.” Dr. Chase revealed results that found NutriDense Silage to be six to eight percent better in feed efficacy, or converting feed to milk, than other high-quality corn silage in the study.

Click here to learn more about the study and how NutriDense stacked up against other hybrids.

Greg Jones is the NutriDense Silage product manager for BASF Plant Science. You can contact him at gregory.jones@basf.com.

New Research Validates Feed Efficiency of NutriDense Silage

August 4th, 2010 by Courtney Beck

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, August 4, 2010 – A recent study from Cornell University concluded that lactating dairy cows fed NutriDense Silage showed a 6 to 8 percent improvement in feed efficiency, or converting feed to milk. The other hybrids compared in the study were brown midrib and dual purpose.

“One of the most interesting conclusions from the study was the difference in feed efficiency. NutriDense Silage was about 6 to 8 percent better in feed efficacy, or converting feed to milk, than either of the other two hybrids that were used, so we did get a highly significant improvement in feed efficiency in NutriDense Silage in this particular trial,” said Dr. Larry Chase, professor and dairy nutrition specialist at Cornell University. “That means to get the same pounds of milk producers would feed about 6 to 8 percent less pounds of feed. In theory that would say they’re going to get the same milk income with a lower feed cost input or a wider difference between milk income and feed costs. It should improve profitability.”

The study, entitled “Milk production and feed efficiency in dairy cows fed corn silage hybrids varying in fiber digestibility,” was presented by Dr. Larry Chase at the American Dairy Science Association’s 2010 Joint Annual Meeting, held July 11-15 in Denver, Colo.

“Dr. Chase’s research has important implications for the dairy industry,” said Greg Jones, NutriDense Silage product manager. “At BASF Plant Science, our goal is to improve the profitability of dairy producers. We are excited to see university research continue to prove that NutriDense Silage improves feed efficiency and thus income over feed costs.”

For more information on the study, visit the NutriDense blog (www.nutridense.com/blog) to listen to a podcast with Dr. Chase.

NutriDense Silage is nutritionally enhanced corn silage developed specifically for efficient milk production. University studies show NutriDense Silage provides a four to eight percent improvement in feed efficiency, or converting feed to milk, giving dairy producers an income over feed cost advantage. The result is lower feed costs and greater profitability for dairy producers. NutriDense Silage yields equal to or greater than dual purpose and greater than brown midrib, so producers can achieve high-quality corn silage without sacrificing yields.

To learn more about NutriDense, visit www.nutridense.com, follow on Twitter @NutriDense or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NutriDense.

About BASF Plant Science

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. BASF Plant Science – a BASF group company – is one of the world’s leading companies providing innovative plant biotechnology solutions for agriculture. Today, more than 750 employees are helping farmers meet the growing demand for improved agricultural productivity and healthier nutrition for humans and animals. BASF Plant Science has developed an unparalleled gene discovery platform focusing on yield and quality traits in crops such as corn, soybean and rice. Jointly with leading partners in the seed industry BASF Plant Science is commercializing its products. Current projects include higher yielding row crops, nutritionally-enhanced corn for animal feed or higher content of Omega-3’s in oil crops for preventing cardiovascular diseases. To find out more about BASF Plant Science, please visit www.basf.com/plantscience.

About BASF

BASF – The Chemical Company.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

NutriDense is a registered trademark of BASF Plant Science L.P.

Podcast: Dr. Larry Chase discusses the results of his feed efficiency study

August 4th, 2010 by Courtney Beck

We recently shared the results of a Cornell University study comparing NutriDense Silage to two other hybrids. To learn more about the study’s background, experimental design and results, I was able to talk with Dr. Larry Chase, professor and dairy nutrition extension specialist at Cornell University, about the study and what he and his team found.

Listen in with the audio player below to hear our conversation.

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Sign up for ‘Have You Herd,’ technical dairy e-Newsletter

August 3rd, 2010 by Karlie Justus

Every other month, the NutriDense team puts together a technical e-Newsletter called “Have You Herd.” Tailored to the needs of dairy nutritionists, veterinarians and consultants, the e-Newsletter is a high-level resource on topics such as agronomy, feed efficiency and dairy nutrition. It also includes a roundup of industry news and upcoming events.

Here’s a sampling of some previous Have You Herd articles:

You can now sign up to receive Have You Herd in your e-mail inbox right here on the NutriDense website. Look for the Technical e-Newsletter button on the homepage and blog sidebars, or click on the image above. In addition, check out the full e-Newsletter archives here.

World Dairy Expo banners

July 27th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

In anticipation of its Sept. 28 kick-off, the World Dairy Expo has announced another way to promote its annual trade show and the dairy industry on your website or blog. On the WDE website, you can now save images in 449×70, 234×125 and 150×300 pixel sizes.

We’re excited to attend, where we’ll be at booths 450 and 451 in the Arena building. Just a few short weeks until grilled cheeses and milkshakes galore!

Feed efficiency study featured in Progressive Dairyman

July 21st, 2010 by Courtney Beck

With the dairy industry facing economic constraints, producers are looking for ways to cut costs without sacrificing milk production. One place to look is feed — when feed efficiency increases, producers are able to get the same milk with less feed.

That’s why NutriDense was excited to see the results of a recent feed efficiency study performed by Dr. Larry Chase, professor and dairy nutrition extension specialist at Cornell University. Dr. Chase revealed results that found NutriDense Silage to be six to eight percent better in feed efficiency, or converting feed to milk, than other high-quality corn silage in the study.

These findings were featured in a recent Progressive Dairyman article titled “Improve feed efficiency, increase profitability by selecting high-quality corn silage hybrids.” To learn more about the study and how NutriDense stacked up against other hybrids, check out the findings in the magazine’s July 1 edition or online.

Podcast: Jerry Weigel talks feed efficiency and poultry, part one

July 16th, 2010 by Karlie Justus

Last month, I sat down with Jerry Weigel, manager of nutrition and technical service, to talk about feed efficiency and dairy cows, and learn about how NutriDense can help producers improve their bottom lines when it comes to corn silage.

This month, we’re back with two more interviews with Jerry on what feed efficiency means for poultry producers. Listen in to part one below, and check back in two weeks to hear the second installment of our chat.

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More hot weather dairy tips

July 12th, 2010 by Courtney Beck

Back in May, before the weather really heated up, we posted some tips from Western DairyBusiness and our own Jerry Weigel, manager of nutrition and technical service, on preparing your dairy for the hot summer months.

Now that temperatures are reaching triple digits in some parts of the country, Dr. Rick Lundquist, a Minnesota-based nutritionist and management consultant, offers his thoughts on monitoring heat stress in cows. His technology-free method involves counting respiration rates by watching for movement of the flanks or the nostrils, since respiration rates are highly correlated to body temperature:

It’s relatively easy to determine if the body temperature of your cows is in the heat-stress zone. You don’t have to temp cows or use a recording device. Respiration rates are highly correlated to body temperature. Count respiration rate by watching the flanks move or the nostrils. If cows are breathing with an open mouth, observe the movement of the cheeks. Check at least eight to 10 cows in a pen by counting for 20 seconds and multiplying by three to get respirations/minute.

To see all of Dr. Lundquist’s tips, check out his blog post “A Simple Method to Monitor Heat Stress in Your Cows” on the AgWeb.com website.