Agri-Food Laboratories Growing Degree Days Forage Model

Once again we are tracking growing degree days and augmenting our 16 years of scissor cut experiences. Ron Piett is busy collecting samples from sites in Oxford County for lab analysis of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). We are providing the information in a similar scrolling format as last year, as well as continuing with our interactive charts and map feature. The Milk Per Ton calculation is still availabe and is estimated using a 300 lbs/acre/inch calculation, to estimate your yield, and the resultant Milk Per Ton. This addition can be found under the Value Estimator.

We are offering a Quick Turnaround Scissor Cut test. Please read the article to learn more.

You may also enter projected growing degree days to see what effect accumulated heat has on quality. Sometimes waiting for a week of sunny days in a row when forages are ready may lose more quality than cutting when the forages are ready and accepting the consequences of poor weather.

Quality forage is the corner stone of ruminant animal nutrition. Producing high quality forage involves many factors but no more important than time of cutting. We offer this service as a guide to assist you in the management of your forages.

A follow up post harvest sample of forages submitted to Agri-Food Laboratories will provide the necessary information for a thorough assessment of multiple protein fractions, fiber, energy and minerals.