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Silage

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Northern Plains Forage Association hosting free meetings during Central Plains Dairy Expo

March 13, 2023

The Northern Plains Forage Association informational meeting is from 2 to 3 p.m. March 29 and 30 during the Central Plains Dairy Expo at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

aerial view of South Dakota farm and surrounding land

Crops

During the growing season, SDSU Extension provides weekly production recommendations.

Lush field of flowering, green forage.
Mar 29

Northern Plains Forage Association Annual Meeting

The Northern Plains Forage Association is hosting an informational meeting at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls on March 29 and 30 from 2 to 3 p.m. CDT.

Rows of cut hay in a field ready for bailing.

Register today for SD Winter Forage Meeting

February 21, 2023

Registration is open for the South Dakota Winter Forage Meeting Feb. 28 in Madison, South Dakota.

Extension staff analyzing a soybean plant with a stakeholder.

SDSU Extension to Host Informational Sessions at Dakotafest

August 08, 2022

Producers are invited to visit the SDSU Extension booth at Dakotafest August 16-18 in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Cover crop mixture growing in a field.

Forage Field Day to be Held Aug. 4

July 15, 2022

SDSU Extension and Nebraska Extension will host their collaborative 2022 Forage Field Day at the University of Nebraska Haskell Ag Lab on Thursday, Aug. 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT.

A tall grassy warm season cover crop blend grown in South Dakota.

Using Annual Cover Crops and Forages in Lieu of Row Crops

Although there are many factors to take into consideration, annual forages and cover crops can be an excellent tool to mitigate challenging planting seasons.

stack of coins with faded chart lines showing in the foreground

SDSU Extension Silage/Earlage Calculator

The Silage/Earlage Calculator is designed to help corn and livestock producers answer questions regarding the value of standing fields of corn either as grain, silage and earlage.

A flock of white sheep grazing in a small pasture.

Using Corn Silage in Sheep Diet Formulations

Many Midwest producers have limited options for their primary forage source this year and, must utilize ear-less corn stalks as silage for their in livestock feeding systems. Despite the lack of ears on stalks in some areas the resultant corn stover silage is still expected to contain 80% of expected level of energy under normal growing conditions.

Several wrapped bales of hay lined up near a barn.

Importance of Proper Forage Sampling

As dairymen and livestock caretakers, we are trying to optimize the performance of our livestock, whether it is producing milk or meat. Without knowing the quality of the feedstuff or forage we are feeding, it becomes difficult to balance a ration to ensure the animal is receiving the proper amounts of needed nutrients.