The impact of corn silage harvesting and feeding decisions on income over feed costs

The impact of corn silage harvesting and feeding decisions on income over feed costs

Summary

The Penn State Extension dairy team worked with over 500 dairies the past five years to develop cash flow plans, monitor income over feed costs and determine cost of production. From this group, over 50 farms were selected to evaluate corn silage quality and its impact on farm profitability. Producers responded to questions related to corn hybrids planted and feeding management practices. Farms utilized between 5 to 13 different hybrids and the process for selection ranged from the cheapest seed to crop yields. Quality parameters such as neutral detergent fiber and starch digestibility did not factor into the decision process. Farms incorporating best feeding and cropping management practices showed a 5.8 pound milk increase versus their counterparts. Preliminary results show corn silage quality, nutrition and feeding management all affect farm profitability. Forage quality and quantity are the foundation for developing successful and profitable rations. Producers benefit from advisors that understand cropping, feeding and economics to help producers make smarter decisions.

Crop and dairy advisors work with producers providing assistance in their representative fields. Decisions made in one area can have a significant affect in another. Dairying is a system and should not be compartmentalized. Extension educators are positioned to achieve a whole farm system approach by capturing the agronomics, nutritional and financial components. The end beneficiary is the dairy producer who receives better recommendations from their consultants. This project will engage extension educators and consultants working in the area of crop and dairy production. In year 1, educators and consultants will participate in a face to face workshop conducted at two locations in the northeast. Follow-up webinars will be offered to explore challenges educators are experiencing. In year 2, twenty-four dairy operations will be selected to evaluate cropping and feeding management practices and financial information collected. In year 3, participating producers will be surveyed; results summarized, and educational programs conducted for consultants and producers at field days, winter meetings and annual conferences.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Consulting in pairs, 24 crop and dairy educators and industry partners will work with 24 producers to improve corn silage management and feed management of forages. 6 educators will present results in workshop settings reaching 300 consultants and 200 producers. 100 producers managing 10,000 corn silage acres will implement at least one recommended corn silage or forage feed management decision tool.

1. 60 educators and appropriate industry partners receive invitations via an on-line survey regarding the project proposal, objectives, preliminary data, and willingness to work with both a partner and 2 producers for one year October 2015

On April 23, the core crop and dairy team members met to develop the curriculum for workshop presentations. The team developed the MOU for producers, crop consultants and nutritionists. A representative from Pioneer seed attended to gain his input.

The first workshop was held on August 26 with 22 crop and dairy educators and 3 NRCS folks attending.

A second workshop was held on November 11 with 54 crop consultants and nutritionists attending.

Met with Bill Sutliff from Mycogen Seeds on May 14 to describe our project and sent him a copy of the MOU. He is currently soliciting farms for the project.

I met with Tammy Weaver and Gene Schurman on Aug 4 to describe our project and sent them a copy of the MOU.

On September 8 I had a conference call with Amy Hoy from Hubner Seed about our Crops to Cow project. She has committed 10 farms to the project on top of the 24 farms budgeted in the grant. I sent her the MOU, the checklist and the cost of sampling so she can budget accordingly.

Corresponded with Dave Kehr with Mycogen Seeds on Oct 2 about our project and has submitted the MOU on 3 farms and have their commitment.

Met with Dale Miller from Agri-Basics on October 14 to discuss the project crops to cow. He was sent a copy of the MOU.

I corresponded with 2 dairy producers who have filled out the MOU and have and will complete the checklist on cropping and feeding management.

Other team members are meeting with producers and their advisors to explain the project, collect information, get signatures on the MOU and take a corn silage and TMR sample. This is occurring on 19 farms from September- December.

On December 8 presented to 40 producers on our project hosted by Farm Credit.

On December 15 presented to 62 producers on the project in Lancaster, which was hosted by Hubner seed.

On December 16 presented to 43 producers and 7 nutritionists about the preliminary data we have collected so far and the new project being started.

2. 30 respondents complete an on-line survey about current level of knowledge and learning needs related to crops, feed and financials. December 2015 – January 2016

Currently collecting signatures for the project via the MOU and doing a face to face assessment versus an on-line survey. Producers feel more comfortable with this approach.

3. 25 of the 30 respondents commit to the requirements of this project and will attend a face to face workshop located appropriately geographically to learn the curriculum and tools available to work with producers. March – April 2016

4. A minimum of 12 educators and industry partners will participate in 4 follow-up webinars to review resource materials, criteria for soliciting farms and collecting information from producers. May 2016 – July 2016
5. 24 farms start the project and the appropriate data collected. August 2016

6. A minimum of 12 educators and industry partners will participate in 4 webinars to review farm data and share successes and challenges in the three curriculum areas. September 2016 – August 2017
7. The project team leaders will develop a Power Point presentation including data from the participating farms and a supporting fact sheet summarizing the results. September – October 2017

8. At least 6 extension educators present results from this project at 8 established conferences, workshops, and field days for a minimum 300 consultants and 200 producers. November 2017 – June 2018

9. A follow-up survey to the 24 crop and dairy educators and 24 dairy producers evaluating what they learned, what practices they implemented, and what future areas should be explored. January 2018 – April 2018
10. Summarize results from this project and write a fact sheet. May – September 2018

• Cumulative Milestone Accomplishment Table

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