– Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator, Wayne County and Crossroads EERA
Corn harvest is underway around Ohio and the cornstalks and grain residue that remains after the combine has finished its work can provide the means to stretch forage supplies. There are approximately 3.4 million acres of corn planted in Ohio each year. Those acres harvested for corn grain represent a potential forage source that is often overlooked and Continue reading Corn Stalks Can Stretch Forage Supplies
– Mark Sulc, Extension Forage Specialist, The Ohio State University
If you have planted cover crops and plan to graze, ensile, or make hay out of them to feed to livestock, you should consider the potential for nitrate toxicity in the forage this year. This could be especially of concern for cover crops planted after corn silage that was stunted by drought and Continue reading Feeding Cover Crops? – Consider Nitrate Potential
– Mark Sulc, Extension Forage Specialist, The Ohio State University
Fall is in the air and Jack Frost will strike sooner or later. When he does, questions always arise concerning the dangers of feeding frosted forages. A very few forage species can be extremely toxic soon after a frost.
The warm-season annual grasses in the sorghum family and other closely related species are capable of becoming toxic Continue reading Jack Frost and Forage Toxicity
– Mark Sulc, Extension Forage Specialist, The Ohio State University
An accompanying article describes the species that can develop prussic acid poisoning potential and management practices to follow to prevent poisoning of livestock with those species after a frost. If doubt remains regarding the safety of the forage, the forage can be tested for prussic acid (HCN) content. But keep in mind Continue reading Testing for Prussic Acid Content in Forages
– Maurice Eastridge, Pierce Paul, Ohio State University Extension
Sampling and Testing in Grain: A Recap – Reports of aflatoxin contamination of corn continue to come in from some parts of the state, especially those areas most severely affected by drought conditions. There have also been reports of a few loads of grain being docked at some elevators due to aflatoxin levels above thresholds. Producers in affected areas are encouraged to continue sampling and testing grain for aflatoxin in order to determine whether or not the grain is contaminated Continue reading Alfatoxin in the 2012 Corn Crop and the Potential Impact on Its Use for Livestock
– Clif Little OSU Extension Educator Guernsey and Noble Counties
Recently, a local hay producer asked what hay was worth. Of course, each forage producer will have a different cost of production. After he told me his price, I asked the weight of his bales. He was not exactly sure but guessed 1000 pounds. He went on to say that, most hay is bought and sold by the bale. He stated that, most articles he reads mentioning price or cost are on a per ton basis. This farmer’s comment provoked a couple of pertinent questions. First, what is the cost of not knowing the weight of a bale? Second, Continue reading Hay Weight vs Bale
– Pierce Paul, Plant Pathologist, OSU Extension
There have been a few reports of Aspergillus ear rot in corn in some parts of Ohio, causing producers to be concerned about possible grain contamination with aflatoxins. As I mentioned in my newsletter a few weeks ago (http://corn.osu.edu/newsletters/2012/2012-26/#6), ear rot development does not automatically mean that grain is contaminated with aflatoxins, but provides a good indication that the risk of contamination is high Continue reading Concerns about Aflatoxin in Ohio Corn