ENERGY FOOD The high energy content of corn, along with its excellent digestibility, makes it a sought-after ration for milk producers
You don’t need a global positioning system to find dairy farms in southern Alberta these days — just look for the cornfields. Grain and silage corn have become dairy feed staples as producers search for the ideal rations to boost milk production. “It is a highly digestible forage, but high energy is the key,” said […] Read moreChoice The choice of seeding rate is an important decision for corn producers, but no single rate is best
Seeding rate and row spacing are key factors in the response of irrigated corn silage, according to a new study. The three-year study, which looked at irrigated corn silage production in southern Alberta, found that, on average, 84 per cent of seeds produced a plant. But plant establishment was 12 per cent higher in narrow […] Read moreBALANCING ACT Barley is the mainstay of Herman Stroeve’s cattle-feeding business but his 600 acres of corn also play a key role
Corn silage has become Herman Stroeve’s secret weapon in producing fine beef. “Barley is still the backbone of a full-feed cattle operation, but corn adds some balance to the cattle ration.” Stroeve, along with 11 siblings, came to Canada from Holland more than 50 years ago and, with his brothers, built a cattle-feeding venture that […] Read moreWATER WATCH A host of factors needs to be considered with creating an irrigation plan, but careful monitoring of available soil moisture is crucial
You need to add just the right amount of water to get a high-yielding, top-quality silage corn crop, says an irrigation expert. “Growers are encouraged to properly manage irrigation by regularly monitoring soil water to ensure that the availability of water does not become a limiting factor in producing a high-yielding silage corn crop,” said […] Read more
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