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World's Forage Analysis Superbowl
at World Dairy Expo in the back of the Arena Building
The World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl has winning forage samples on display at the east end of the Arena Building. Forage experts from the USDA Dairy Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin and other research centers will be on hand to present cutting-edge information and answer individual forage research questions.
Announcing the 2008 Winners!
Read the Press Release.
Rules and Entry Form
To participate in the 2009 World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl Contest, download the official Rules and Entry form here (PDF).
Schedule of Seminars and Speakers
(All seminars held in the East end of the Arena Building.)
Wednesday, October 1
10:30 a.m.
Measuring silage bunker density: Hands-on, on-farm techniques
Brian Holmes, Biological Systems Engineer
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Up to 20% of silage can be lost if bunker and pile silos are not packed densely enough. Brian Holmes explains not only how to achieve adequate density, but also how to use the Average Density of Silage in Storage Calculator to measure the success of your efforts and determine if improvements in silage density are needed. This spreadsheet uses simple tools available on the farm to calculate density for bunker, pile, bag and tower silos. Besides determining if proper packing was accomplished, it can be used to develop feed inventories.
1:30 p.m.
Cost effective balancing of yield and quality with forages
Dan Undersander, Extension and Research Agronomist
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Forage quality is the key to profitable milk or meat production. But producing quality forage reduces yield and increases cost per ton of hay or haylage. What is the optimum balance for your situation? Dan Undersander gives some guidelines.
Thursday, October 2
10:30 a.m.
For better or worse: How rations affect rumen microbe populations
Paul Weimer, Research Microbiologist
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison, WI
For years we’ve understood the important role that rumen microbes play in ruminal fermentation and dairy cattle nutrition. But until recently, we were limited in our scientific ability to identify and quantify individual microbial species. We now know that there are many more species in the rumen than previously thought, and our concept of which species are most important has changed greatly. How will this affect the way you feed cows in the future?
1:30 p.m.
Finding the right forages for dairy replacement heifers
Wayne Coblentz, Research Dairy Scientist and Agronomist
U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Marshfield, WI
High quality forages that dairy producers strive to raise and/or purchase for lactating cows are not usually the best for dairy replacement heifers. Agronomist and dairy scientist Wayne Coblentz shares the most recent recommendations on feeding forages to heifers; and he offers some options on how to grow or purchase forages that are more suitable for heifers.
Friday, October 3
10:30 a.m.
Nutritional reasons to feed grass with corn silage and alfalfa
David Combs, Dairy Scientist
University of Wisconsin-Madison
With today’s high producing dairy cows, a diet of corn silage and alfalfa silage often lacks effective fiber and contains high levels of non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC). David Combs has been looking at the feasibility of adding grass to the ration to correct these imbalances. He’ll share his recent results and give suggestions relevant to dairy producers and nutritionists.
1:30 p.m.
Forage grasses are not all created equal
Ev Thomas, Vice President, Agricultural Programs (recently retired)
W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY
Agronomist Ev Thomas has been researching forages in northern New York for more than 40 years. His talk is based on real-life and research experiences at the W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute with several forage grasses, including orchardgrass, timothy, reed canarygrass, and tall fescue – as pure stands and when used as a companion to alfalfa.
Saturday, October 4
10:30 a.m.
Now’s the time for more forages in the ration to combat rising grain prices
Mike Hutjens, Extension Dairy Specialist
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
With corn, soybean and cottonseed prices higher than they’ve ever been, and with the milk:feed price ratio reaching record lows in 2008, many dairy producers are looking at ways to replace high-priced ingredients with lower-cost forages. The ever-popular Mike Hutjens discusses reasons for, options for, and things to consider when increasing the forage level in the ration.