Dairy Nutrition News

Mycotoxin Risk Holds Steady in 2025

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:49:10 GMT

According to the dsm-firmenich World Mycotoxin Survey , which assessed the global mycotoxin threat, 86% of North American samples tested above the recommended threshold for at least one mycotoxin. While mycotoxin levels haven’t necessarily escalated from 2024 to 2025, there was a shift in the distribution, which has some implications for cattle and swine operations.

“The 2025 results show a continued mycotoxin challenge, with contamination rates rising for both aflatoxins and zearalenone and average levels increasing across all major mycotoxins,” said Ursula Hofstetter, head of mycotoxin risk management at dsm-firmenich, in a press release.

The Major Players

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites produced by fungi, most commonly Fusarium, Aspergillus and Claviceps species. They develop in the field and can persist through harvest and storage. Weather stress, hybrid selection and storage management all influence which toxins dominate in a given year.

The primary mycotoxins shaping North American livestock risk in 2025 were:

Deoxynivalenol (DON)
A Type B trichothecene produced by Fusarium species. Commonly found in corn and wheat. Often referred to as ‘vomitoxin’.
Zearalenone (ZEN)
Also a Fusarium toxin. Structurally estrogenic and frequently present alongside DON in corn and small grains.
Fumonisins (FUM)
Produced by Fusarium verticillioides and related species. Predominantly found in corn.
Aflatoxins (AFLA)
Produced by Aspergillus species. More common in drought- or heat-stressed corn.
Ergot alkaloids (ERGOT)
Produced by Claviceps species. Typically associated with small grains.

These toxins rarely occur in isolation. Co-contamination often shapes the reality producers see on the farm.

What Changed from 2024 to 2025

The 2025 North American mycotoxin prevalence in raw materials compared to 2024 shows the following shifts:

DON: 74% → 76%
ZEN: 73% → 78%
FUM: 46% → 55%
AFLA: 15% → 17%
ERGOT: 44% → 9%

Trichothecenes remain deeply entrenched, with DON prevalence increasing slightly. Most of this increase is a result of an increase in wheat (73% → 93%). Meanwhile, fumonisins rose meaningfully and ergots dropped sharply.

Cattle: Rumen Function, Immune Resilience and Production Losses

Cattle historically are considered somewhat more resilient to mycotoxins than monogastrics, owing to partial ruminal detoxification. However, evidence increasingly shows persistent exposure to Fusarium toxins like DON, ZEN and FUM, especially in combination, can exert significant effects on digestion, immunity and metabolic health.

When looking at global finished feed samples for ruminants:

DON was prevalent in 69% of samples and above the risk threshold in 53% of samples.
ZEN was prevalent in 73% of samples and above the risk threshold in 33% of samples.
AFLA was present in 34% of samples and above the risk threshold in 29% of samples.

Studies have demonstrated short-term exposure to Fusarium toxins, including ZEN and FUM, affects fermentation patterns and the microbial community, which in turn can reduce fiber breakdown and volatile fatty acid production — key drivers of energy supply in cattle. Even modest disruptions to the rumen microbiota can reduce feed efficiency and gain over time.

The immune system is also affected by mycotoxins. The immunosuppressive effects of common mycotoxins in ruminants have been documented , including alterations in cytokine gene expression, immunoglobulin production and macrophage function.

Further, individual toxins like AFLA have well-established effects on liver function and general metabolism in cattle. Chronic AFLA exposure has been linked to reduced appetite, lower weight gains and elevated liver enzymes, indicating compromised hepatic function that can impact production and health resilience.

These findings indicate how cattle performance and disease resistance can be eroded by the mycotoxin patterns reported in the 2025 data. Persistent DON and ZEN exposure, combined with higher FUM presence, places additional load on rumen fermentation and immune competence, potentially contributing to subclinical production drift.

Swine: Immune Disruption, Gut Barrier Injury and Performance Drag

In swine, elevated prevalence of DON, ZEN and FUM can exert systemic effects on immune function, gut integrity and reproductive physiology at both clinical and subclinical levels.

When looking at global finished feed samples for swine:

DON was present in 85% of samples and above the risk threshold in 41% of samples.
ZEN was present in 79% of samples and above the risk threshold in 19% of samples.
FUM was present in 44% of samples and above the risk threshold in 8% of samples.

Research has shown DON and FUM alter the gut epithelial barrier, impair immune defenses and increase bacterial translocation from the gut, making pigs more susceptible to infections even when properly vaccinated. In the immune tissues themselves, DON exposure has been linked to changes in the gene expression of key antimicrobial and inflammatory regulators, implying a weakened ability to respond to disease challenge at the cellular level.

ZEN adds another layer of complexity. Beyond its well-known estrogenic effects (i.e., swelling of reproductive tissues and altered estrous cycles), ZEN has been shown to suppress antibody production in porcine immune cells, reducing levels of IgM, IgG and IgA. These immunoglobulins are important for protective vaccine responses. This explains why farms employing what should be effective vaccination programs still report breakthrough disease.

Collectively, these mechanisms mean widespread DON and ZEN exposure is a disease vulnerability issue. When the gut barrier is compromised and immune cell function is suppressed, pigs are less able to defend against respiratory pathogens, enteric bacteria and systemic infections alike, and their response to vaccination may be diminished.

Mycotoxin Co-Contamination Defines 2025

The defining feature of mycotoxins in 2025 is not a single toxin spike, but co-contamination. Feeds routinely contain multiple mycotoxins at once and their effects overlap, creating steady biological pressure.

The result is rarely dramatic toxicosis, but production drift is reflected in reduced gains, narrower reproductive margins, lowered health resilience and increased performance variability.

With persistent DON, rising ZEN and higher FUM prevalence in North America, ingredient-level vigilance and close monitoring of performance trends are important. The mycotoxin burden did not spike, but it did rearrange.

New Dietary Guidelines Move Food Pyramid Closer to the Farm

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:43:23 GMT

The White House delivered a simple but clear message to Americans today: Eat real food.

“We are finally putting real food back at the center of the American diet. Real food that nourishes the body, restores health, fuels energy and builds strength,” says Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “This pivot also leans into the abundant, affordable and healthy food supply already available from America’s incredible farmers and ranchers. By making milk, raising cattle and growing wholesome fruits, vegetables and grains, they hold the key to solving our national health crisis.”

In the “most significant reset of federal nutrition policy in decades,” the White House released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030 . The updated pyramid inverts the 1992 USDA version by prioritizing:

Protein (1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, an increase from 0.8 grams)
Dairy and healthy fats as the foundation
Vegetables (3 servings per day)
Fruits (2 servings per day)

Unlike the old pyramid’s grain-heavy base and processed carbs, new recommendations limit whole grains to 2 to 4 servings per day and added sugars and highly processed oils should be avoided entirely.

Eat More Protein

Rollins says the previous dietary guidelines demonized protein in favor of carbohydrates.

“These guidelines reflect gold standard science by prioritizing high-quality, nutrient-dense protein foods in every meal,” Rollins says. “This includes a variety of animal sources, including eggs, poultry, seafood, and red meat, in addition to plant-sourced protein foods such as beans, peas, lentils, legumes, nuts, seeds and soy.”

To put the new protein recommendations into perspective, Sigrid Johannes, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says for folks who should be consuming 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight that’s a 100% increase in recommended daily protein intake.

Dairy’s Seat at the Table

Dairy emerged in a strong position under the new dietary guidelines, with federal nutrition guidance supporting dairy at all fat levels for the first time.

“One of the key messages they’re telling consumers is eat dairy and eat dairy at all fat levels — that’s whole milk, cheese and butter,” says Matt Herrick of the International Dairy Foods Association. He calls it “a significant watershed moment,” reflecting how many families currently eat and shop today.

Echoing Herrick’s perspective, National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud adds by better recognizing both fat and protein, the guidelines give a fuller picture of dairy’s nutritional value.

“Not all fats are created equal, and because the guidelines acknowledge this, dairy’s benefits are better reflected in this iteration of the guidelines,” Doud says.

When it comes to protein, consumer demand is reshaping the category, with cottage cheese at its highest level since the 1980s because of the high-protein trend, Herrick notes.

“Consumers are looking at labels more than ever and trying to find cleaner, less processed foods. Dairy fits that bill. Most products have just a handful of ingredients, and they’re all high in protein. People are turning to protein for growth, energy and overall health, and we’re going to continue to see consumers look to dairy to fulfill their protein and healthy fats needs,” Herrick says.

The processing sector has grown alongside the rising demand for dairy, reflecting both increased production and changing consumer preferences. Roughly $8 billion has been invested in new processing facilities from 2022 to 2025, with another $11 billion expected through 2028.

“We’re going to continue to see investments in processing facilities — new plants, updated lines and more capacity — to meet growing consumer demand for dairy protein and healthy fats,” Herrick notes.

Eat More Meat and Poultry

When it comes to meat and poultry, Julie Anna Potts, Meat Institute President and CEO, says Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy’s leadership have simplified the dietary guidelines making it clear meat is a protein powerhouse.

“Robust scientific evidence demonstrates that meat is a rich source of high-quality protein, essential vitamins and highly bioavailable minerals that support human health throughout the lifespan,” Potts says.

Kansas beef producer Marisa Kleysteuber describes the new “commonsense” dietary guidelines as “exciting and refreshing.”

“As beef producers we are blessed to work with a ruminant animal that can utilize Mother Nature’s production of cellulose from rain and sunshine and then convert it to one of the most nutrient rich proteins there is,” she says. “Whether the consumer is desiring an organic, grass fed or corn fed beef product, there are cattlemen and women all over the U.S. who put their heart into raising these cattle to produce a nutritious and delicious product that we have always believed in and now our leaders are standing behind the ranchers and farmers of America.”

Quintessentially American foods such as burgers, steaks, pork chops and Easter hams can remain a staple of American households, and the guidelines go so far as to recommend parents introduce nutrient-dense foods, including meat, early and continue focusing on “nutrient-dense foods such as protein foods” throughout childhood.

“America’s pork producers appreciate the 2025 dietary guidelines putting pork front and center on the plate. They took note of producer concerns and rightly gave pork and other high-protein, nutrient-dense and delicious meats their due when it comes to Americans’ health and dietary habits,” says Rob Brenneman , National Pork Producers Council president-elect and pork producer from Washington, Iowa.

Maddie Hokanson , a Minnesota pork producer and mother of two, says the new dietary guidelines’ strong emphasis on protein is a positive for the pork industry. She believes the new guidelines, paired with pork’s quality nutrition and versatility, bring together the perfect opportunity to increase pork consumption and demand in the U.S.

“As pig farmers, we are proud to produce a meat product that is packed with high-quality protein, while also being nutrient-dense with many essential vitamins and minerals,” Hokanson says. “As a parent to young children, I see both the physical and cognitive benefits of prioritizing protein in the diet at all ages, and I’m excited to see what the short- and long-term effects of this recommendation will be.”

Three Servings of Veggies and Two Servings of Fruit

Dairy and meat weren’t the only items at the top of the new dietary pyramid. Fresh fruits and vegetables were also given top billing.

“Diets rich in vegetables and fruits reduce disease risk more effectively than many drugs,” says Robert F Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health.

The new dietary guidelines recommend three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day. Like past editions of the dietary guidelines , the new guidelines recommend Americans eat “a variety of colorful, nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits” and advises whole produce items be eaten “in their original form.” Though not explicitly stated, the updated guidelines also call out “frozen, dried, or canned vegetables or fruits with no or very limited added sugars” as good options.

“Today’s dietary guidelines reinforce the critical role fruits and vegetables play in overall health,” says Mollie Van Lieu, International Fresh Produce Association vice president of nutrition and health, in the group’s response. “Scientific evidence consistently shows that fruits and vegetables should make up the majority of what people eat. The Administration’s focus on whole foods is an opportunity to increase fruit and vegetable intake, as they are the most nutrient-dense foods available.”

Rollins Teases Plan to Expand Real Food Retail Accessibility

There was more than the new dietary guidelines announced at the press event. Rollins mentioned upcoming changes at retail she says would increase the accessibility of whole, healthy foods to those in food deserts.

“Soon, USDA will finalize our stocking standards,” she says, explaining retailers that take SNAP benefits are bound by the stocking standards. “Very soon we will be finalizing that rule that will mandate all 250,000 retailers in America to double the type of staple foods they provide for America’s SNAP households. This means healthier options will be in reach for all American families, regardless of circumstance, at levels never seen before in our country.”

Grains and Oilseed Industry Focuses on Positives

In terms of grains, in its guidance USDA recommends Americans “focus on whole grains, while sharply reducing refined carbohydrates.” The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) shared mixed reactions to the changes.

“We appreciate the continued recognition of whole grains as an essential part of Americans’ diets,” said a spokesperson with NAWG in a statement to Farm Journal. “However, we are concerned that some portions of the new guidelines around grains and wheat are unintentionally confusing. Wheat, wheat flour, and foods made from wheat have been nutrient-rich, life-sustaining staples for tens of thousands of years and deserve clear, continued support as a central part of our nation’s diet.”

The American Soybean Association (ASA) focuses on the positives saying it highlights the importance of increased protein consumption, including plant-based proteins, such as soy-based foods. They also emphasize prioritizing healthy fats, including oils rich in essential fatty acids like soybean oil.

ASA says an addendum continues to call into question the process of soybean oil extraction, which it says is scientifically proven to be safe for human health.

“Soybean oil and soy protein play a critical role in the health and nutrition of Americans,” says Scott Metzger, ASA president and Ohio farmer, in a press release. “We remain deeply concerned by the rhetoric and selectively cited studies regarding the health and safety of soybean oil in DGA supporting material.”

Metzger says soybean growers will continue to work with the administration and educate MAHA commission leadership on the health benefits of soy-based foods and soybean oil.

The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) echoed those concern: “Vegetable oils, or “seed oils” as they’re sometimes referred to, are a significant provider of essential fatty acids and remain a safe and cost-effective source of dietary fats in the American diet, as they are globally,” said a NOPA press release. “However, some appendices rely on a narrow evidence base with limited citations, which is concerning given the administration’s rhetoric questioning the safety of certain vegetable oils despite an established scientific consensus.”

NOPA also argues oilseeds support the production of affordable meat, dairy and eggs as meal produced from oilseeds are a key component of livestock diets.

From Brew to Moo: The Sustainable Dairy Practices at Ayers Farm

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:45:53 GMT

A good brew isn’t just for humans — it’s on the menu for the Holstein cows at Ayers Farm in Perryville, Ohio, too. This unique twist in cattle feed comes from an unexpected source: the Budweiser plant in Columbus. At Ayers Farm, home to more than 600 Holstein cows, this innovative use of brewer’s mash, a byproduct of the beer-making process, has become an integral part of their operation.

(Ayers Farm)

A Sustainable Diet
At Ayers Farm, sustainability is a key focus. The herd’s nutritionist orchestrates a delicate balance of crops and upcycled food byproducts to ensure the cows’ diet is both nutritious and environmentally conscious. Kathy Davis, a seventh-generation dairy farmer at Ayers Farms, emphasizes the importance of this approach.

“By using a byproduct from another process, we prevent it from ending up in a trash pile,” she says, underscoring their commitment to sustainable practices and innovative feed solutions that benefit their cows and the broader agricultural community.

Davis says they have been feeding distillers grains ever since she was in high school in the late ‘80s. She says farmers are the ultimate recyclers, adding they also include corn gluten, soybean meal and cottonseed to their cows’ diets.

“It was close by, and we could incorporate into the ration what would be beneficial,” she says, noting that prior to feeding distillers grains, the farm used potato waste from a nearby Frito Lay plant. “That is when we were feeding out steers. The potato starch content didn’t make it a good fit to feed our cows, but we’re always looking for benefits, and the distiller grain is economical, and our nutritionist was really excited about the possible benefits for it.”

(Ayers Farm)

Behind the Scenes
Ayers Farm isn’t just feeding its cows better — it’s also incorporating technology to enhance the health and productivity of their herd. From GEA activity monitors on breeding-age heifers, as well as lactating and dry cows to integrated feeding programs, plus DeLaval cameras in the maternity pens, the farm is leveraging tech to stay ahead. These systems provide valuable data that helps manage everything from health indicators to milk production metrics, ensuring issues are flagged before they become problems.

“It’s not just about milk production; it’s about having a good workforce and external partners, such as nutritionists and veterinarians, that help us achieve a sustainable, rewarding livelihood,” Davis shares. “Ultimately, it has to return a good livelihood to us and for our employees, so that our work-to-life balance is good, and we feel like we’re accomplishing something when we come to work every day.”

In addition to the cows, the Ayers have an equal number of replacement heifers and farm 1,500 acres. A total of 25 people work on their farm, which also includes owner-operators.

Challenges and the Future
Despite their advancements, like many farms, Ayers Farm faces challenges, particularly concerning labor and logistical hurdles in milk hauling. Yet, they are adapting, trying innovative solutions such as breeding and beef-on-dairy strategies to improve margins.

Looking ahead, steady communication and strategic planning are crucial for Ayers Farm, especially with generational transitions on the horizon. Davis’ father and uncle are in their ‘70s, while she and her cousin continue to accumulate more responsibilities. Succession planning not only involves the transfer of assets but also adapting the day-to-day share of operation responsibilities to ensure smooth management handoffs.

Ayers Farm is a testament to how traditional farming values can coexist with innovative practices. By incorporating distillers grains, optimizing feed through technology and planning for future generations, Ayers Farm continues to thrive in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape.

Your Next Read:
The Strategy Behind an Eight-Generation Dairy Legacy

Southern Rust Set To Take Big Bite Out Of Midwest Corn Crop?

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:06:37 GMT

If one picture is worth a thousand words, then the video Iowa farmer Dan Striegel shot last week must be worth thousands more. In the video, Striegel is shown harvesting a field of emerald-green corn enveloped in a cloud of orangish-red southern rust.

“We were just getting that field opened up, and I looked over and saw that dust boiling up out of the chopper, so I shot the video,” Striegel says.

Southern Rust? Never heard of her.
What Cheer, Iowa. USA. #pftour25 #harvest25 pic.twitter.com/tiIsUc2CHl
— Dan Striegel (@djsinseia) August 21, 2025

To date, Striegel’s video has garnered more than 48,000 views on X, formerly Twitter.

“We’re in southeast Iowa, Keokuk County, and I think the southern rust is as bad here as it is anywhere,” Striegel adds. “Every field you walk in, if you’re wearing a white T-shirt, you’ll come out of there red.”

A Red Path Of Disease Mars The Midwest

Expect to see more red T-shirt-clad farmers walking out of cornfields across the upper Midwest, based on what the Crop Protection Network (CPN) southern rust map is showing.

The CPN continually updates its online, interactive map showing the counties by state where southern rust infections are confirmed. Now, in late August, the counties look like red steppingstones. They form a checkered path from southwest Michigan through northern Illinois and Indiana, into southern Wisconsin, across all of Iowa and nearly two-thirds of the way across Nebraska. Eastern South Dakota is also lit up with a string of red counties, as are parts of southern to central Minnesota.

The amount of southern rust present in the upper Midwest is worrisome to Ken Ferrie, Farm Journal Field Agronomist. In severe cases, the disease can wipe out 45% of the yield potential in a field, according to the CPN.

“At most, one in 10 growers in northern Iowa and Minnesota have seen the kind of southern rust some of them are seeing this year,” says Ferrie, who was working last week with corn growers in both states.

“It was a problem in probably eight out of every 10 fields I was in, and they’d all been sprayed at least once,” he says. “Minnesota has a corn crop that’ll knock your socks off – yield potential of 250, 270. I encouraged every grower to spray their field a second time except for two fields. One had been knocked down by hail, and the other had a hybrid that was clean.”

I spoke with a good friend of mine from Iowa yesterday that is an agronomist and farmer. He said the southern rust in corn across Iowa and much of the Midwest will take 9 to 12 bushel/acre off corn yields on average from what his team and himself are seeing. pic.twitter.com/Ad1VJ9oQBg
— Captain Cornelius1 (@ISU145) August 26, 2025

Hybrids Have Little To No Resistance To Southern Rust

A combination of early-season moisture, heat and wind formed the perfect storm for southern rust this season, allowing the disease-causing fungal spores (Puccinia polysora) to move from southern climes up to the Midwest, according to Kurt Maertens, BASF technical service representative for eastern Iowa and western Illinois.

“We’ve seen it all – southern rust, tar spot, northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot. Our corn has been inundated with all these fungal diseases, and we started seeing them early,” says Maertens.

If there’s a silver lining to southern rust, it’s that it does not overwinter in corn residue like tar spot does. But like tar spot, southern rust takes advantage of hybrids that have no built-in resistance. For many growers, that was an Achilles heel this season.

“When you’re dealing with a 117-day hybrid like they grow in southern Illinois, Tennessee, and Kentucky, you don’t grow corn that doesn’t have good southern rust resistance, because they deal with it every year,” Ferrie notes. “When you move to Minnesota, and you’re planting 102- to 95-day corn, you’re probably not going to find hybrids with southern rust resistance.”

Striegel says that was true for his neighbor’s cornfield, which he custom chopped for silage. “That field had two hybrids in it, one was worse than the other, and the field had been sprayed with a fungicide,” he says.

He adds that he also sprayed his own cornfields with fungicide, but they are still inundated with southern rust.

“We’ve had southern rust before, and it’s not usually something we have to worry about, but this is really bad,” Striegel says. “I’m standing on my deck looking at the cornfield next to my house, and you know, all of the leaves from the ears down in that field are covered with it.”

Southern rust is real in eastern Nebraska. Fungicide 3 weeks ago, 2nd app today with some potassium acetate pic.twitter.com/WZubU6IBwz
— Trent Mastny (@TrentMastny) August 21, 2025

How Late Is A Fungicide Application Still Worthwhile?

Ferrie says the fields he scouted last week were at late R3 to early R4 and had already been sprayed with fungicide at least once, but the disease was rebuilding.

“Any field where farmers had sprayed two weeks previously, the southern rust and northern corn leaf blight, to a lesser degree, were coming back, especially the southern rust. It was resporating,” he says.

The intense disease pressure from southern rust, tar spot and others have kept fungicide use at high levels this season, despite poor commodity prices.

“Because of that [amount of disease pressure], we have seen increased demand for our fungicides this year,” says Maertens, who encouraged customers to get applications made at the beginning of tassel.

Maertens says he has fielded a lot of questions this summer from farmers, asking how late they could go with a fungicide application and still benefit.

“Our recommendation is to get in front of disease,” he says. “Generally, we stop applications before we get to dent (R5). That’s not to say a later application can’t have some benefit, but our best results have been before infection was able to take place.”

Southern rust is a yield enemy farmers routinely face in the Southeast, reports corn yield champion Randy Dowdy, Valdosta, Ga. He participated in the Pro Farmer Crop Tour last week and said on U.S. Farm Report he believes many Midwest farmers still have time to address disease.

“We need to implore the fungicides, the technologies out there and get after it and protect this crop, especially that crop that still has not reached dent,” he says.

Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer likes to see farmers complete their fungicide applications on the front side of dough (early R4). “Once we get to early dent, I think it’s a little more challenging to get the payback consistently, though we’ve applied at early dent (R5), and seen a nice response,” says Bauer, who is based in south-central Michigan.

Under the tough disease pressure farmers are facing this year, Bauer is telling growers to scout fields and evaluate what growth stage their crop is in before they walk away or pull the fungicide trigger one last time.

She adds that farmers need to check the label to make sure the product used is able to address southern rust effectively. She describes these as “Cadillac” products containing the newest chemistry.

“When it comes to some of these diseases, especially southern rust and tar spot, I do believe a little bit of a Hail Mary pass can be effective,” she says. “Will it be as effective as an application you could have made on a more timely basis? Well, no, you could have made more money doing it timely, but you’re still protecting bushels and gaining ROI at the end.”

Ferrie adds that farmers might want to do the late-season fungicide application to keep their corn crop standing until they can put their harvest plan in place.

“Be doing the push test to check stalk quality,” he advises.

Southern Rust/Silage Alert!!

Southern Rust has been aggressively advancing in many fields, especially those without a fungicide treatment. In some situations the plants are shutting down prematurely and plant material is senescing rapidly.

While we typically want to get down… pic.twitter.com/aK3hGgZE19
— Pioneer Troy (@deutmeyer_troy) August 26, 2025

Striegel says some of the farmers around him are heading to fields to harvest their silage corn sooner than later, because of standability concerns. “Some of this corn got planted early, and we had a lot of heat. The crop matured quickly, and the diseases are kind of shutting it down. It’s just dying out, and guys are going to go get it,” he explains.

That’s the strategy Ferrie encourages farmers to use in regular production corn, too.

“Harvest the fields most at risk first. But if a field of corn goes down, go combine the fields where the corn is still standing and come back to that one later,” he recommends.

The reasoning is you don’t want to risk more corn going down while you’re harvesting the field of corn that already has.

“While I was driving through Iowa last week, I kept thinking that if I built corn reels to pick up down corn I’d bulk up my inventory, because I know where they’re going to get used,” Ferrie says, only half joking. “Yes, harvesting corn at 25% moisture is expensive, but down corn will kick your butt.”

Your next read: Revenge Applications: Why They Don’t Work, Cost You Money and Bushels, and Are Frankly Illegal

When is Alfalfa Ready to Cut?

Thu, 11 May 2023 18:14:41 GMT

The stress of forage season is officially underway for farmers across the country. With alfalfa being one of the most important forage crops on the farm and feed prices on the rise, it’s critical to ensure your stand is harvested in a timely manner to maximize quality while preserving quantity. But when is alfalfa ready to cut? The Pennsylvania State University dairy extension team provides the following tips to consider:

Harvesting Established Stands

What’s Your Crop’s Life Expectancy? - The intensity of cutting management (the number of cuttings made per year) should be based on the desired quality and life expectancy of the crop. If the goal is to have a long-lived stand, then a longer cutting interval should be considered. If the crop is being grown under a short rotation (three years or less), then more cuttings may be desirable to maximize forage quality.

First Cutting - The first cutting in the spring can be made when the crop is in the bud to early-bloom stage. During the spring there is generally limited environmental stress and the alfalfa crop can normally tolerate early cutting. Harvesting at the bud stage has allowed producers to get more cuttings per year, increase their production, and improve the quality of their forage. However, in order to cut this early, there should be optimum levels of soil pH, phosphorus, and potassium, and plants should be allowed to reach the first- bloom stage at least once during the year.

Second Through Fourth Cutting - Cuttings made during the summer (second, third, and fourth cuttings) should be made when the crop is in the bud to early-bloom stage of development. Some producers are attempting to cut when the alfalfa is even less mature than recommended. A cutting interval that is consistently shorter than thirty days can be extremely stressful to the stand because energy reserves cannot be stored in the taproots and crowns. Low energy reserves lead not only to poor regrowth (which results in poor yields) but also to an actual loss of stand--sometimes in one year.

Monitor Crop Stress – Alfalfa generally maintains production during short periods of dry weather because of its deep and extensive root system. However, during extended periods of dry weather alfalfa growth is reduced and flowering may occur on short, stunted plants. Cutting during these stressful periods does not weaken alfalfa plants or cause stand reductions. If there is adequate late summer or fall growth, after the alfalfa plants have been drought stressed during the summer, an additional harvest can be made in the fall with less risk of stand loss than if the alfalfa was not drought stressed.

New Stands

First Cutting - During the year of establishment, seedlings need a high level of energy reserves to persist through the winter. For spring seedings that are made without a companion crop, two harvests can generally be made the first year, provided there are adequate rainfall and optimum levels of soil nutrients. The first harvest can be made before flowers begin to appear, but waiting for the alfalfa to flower will ensure greater energy reserves in the roots. Alfalfa will generally reach this stage of development between 60 and 70 days after emergence.

Second Cutting - The second harvest should either be made before September 1, to ensure an adequate buildup of energy reserves for winter or be delayed until after the first killing frost (24 °F) in the fall or after mid-October. Occasionally, when the second harvest is made before September and there are good fall growing conditions, a third harvest may be made, but not until there is a definite killing frost. When mid-October or later harvests are made, a high stubble (6 inches) should be left for ground cover to protect the crowns and to catch snow for added insulation.

Companion Crop Alfalfa - Spring seedings which are made with a companion crop such as oats are usually harvested for the first time based on the maturity of the companion crop. Alfalfa harvests made after the companion crop has been harvested should follow the same guidelines as for alfalfa when seeded without a companion crop.

Fall Seeded Crop - The spring harvest of a fall-seeded alfalfa crop should be based on plant development and vigor. If the alfalfa plants look vigorous and the roots are well developed, spring cutting can be made at bud to early bloom. If plants are small and poorly developed, it is best to wait until mid-bloom before harvesting.

What Happens If Cut Hay Gets Rained On?

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 16:28:25 GMT

Hay that has been cut and then rained on can lose quality in four ways. These include: 1) leaching of soluble carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, 2) increased and prolonged plant respiration, 3) leaf shattering, and 4) microbial breakdown of plant tissue.

1. Leaching of Soluble Nutrients: Carbohydrate, Vitamin, and Mineral Loss

Leaching of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals is usually at its highest when the hay has dried somewhat and we then have a prolonged rain. Rainfall right after cutting usually results in less leaching of nutrients and a quick splash-and-dash shower normally doesn’t result in large losses of these nutrients on freshly cut hay.

2. Increased and Prolonged Plant Respiration: Loss of Forage Nutrients

Increased or prolonged respiration occurs when hay is not allowed to dry sufficiently to stop the plant’s metabolic processes. Hay must reach moisture content of less than 30 percent for respiration to be reduced to acceptable levels. Hay that is rained on when relatively green will continue to respire for longer periods of time, resulting in the loss of forage nutrients and dry matter yield.

Likewise, partially dried hay that is rained on can continue to respire for longer periods resulting in lower quality and yield of hay.

3. Leaf Shattering: Nutrient Loss from Increased Mechanical Handling

Increased leaf shatter is another problem associated with hay that has been rained on. Wet hay usually means more mechanical handling of the hay in order to dry it. Since leaves tend to dry quicker than stems, any increased raking or tedding tends to shatter leaves from stems. Since more of the soluble nutrients are in the leaf tissue, the loss of leaf blades while raking and baling can reduce hay quality substantially. Loss of leaf blades can also result in reduction of dry matter yields.

4. Microbial Breakdown: Fungi and Mold Consumption of Plant Tissue

Microbial breakdown of plant tissue occurs when fungi, molds and other microorganisms begin to feed on the downed hay. These organisms develop rapidly in warm-moist conditions and feed on the dead plant material. Hay that is lying on the ground and remains wet for long time periods becomes a perfect environment for these organisms to live and breed. They can quickly consume plant nutrients and destroy plant cell structure resulting in loss of dry matter yield, nutrient content and given time, will completely rot the hay.

What are the consequences of hay being rained on?

Research conducted at the University of Kentucky by Michael Collins indicated that we can lose up to 5 percent of the dry matter per inch of rain on cut hay. Digestibility can be reduced by 10 percent or more due to leaching of nutrients and leaf shatter. A similar study done at Iowa State University reported protein loses of 3 percent and total digestible nutrient reduction of 4.6 percent.

One fact seems to hold true, you still cannot tell what the actual quality of the hay is until you have it tested. Testing it is your best strategy for determining the nutrient quality you will get from the hay. Sampling rained-on hay will give you the information you need to design a supplementation program that will keep your animals in good shape during the winter feeding period. Your local county Extension Educator can help you with sampling techniques, hay probes, and testing. For a small investment of time and money, testing will pay off big in the health and nutrition of your herd.

Keep Milk Warm Before You Feed It

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 20:33:11 GMT

In winter, it’s important—even critical—to keep milk at 100 to 105°F when feeding it to young calves to maintain their body temperatures and conserve energy, says Ann Hoskins, a calf products coordinator for Vita Plus.

“Consistency is also important, and if you live in an area where the temperature constantly fluctuates, you must adjust your protocols accordingly,” she says.

Also consider where you store milk replacer. If it’s in an unheated room, simply adding cold milk replacer powder to water can drastically reduce the temperature of the mix. Ditto for mixing and feeding equipment.

She offers these 7 tips to keep milk and milk replacer warm before calves consume it:

• Use an insulated tank to store prepared milk replacer as you transport it and disburse it to calves.

• Wrap the tank and/or bottles in a sleeping bag prior to distribution.

• Use spray foam on the distribution tank to insulate it.

• If you are feeding a lot of calves, mix multiple batches.

• Use lids on pails to retain heat.

• If feeding in bottles, build an insulated storage box out of Styrofoam or wood while transporting the milk to calves.

• Consider placing bottles in a warm water bath during transport, although this can be wet and uncomfortable for calf feeders as they distribute bottles.

Finally, Hoskins recommends taking temperatures during the mixing and feeding process to ensure temps stay within range. “Make sure the last calf’s milk temperature still falls between 100 and 105°F,” she says. “Always feed youngest to oldest to make sure the youngest calves get the warmest milk.”

For more on keeping milk warm, click here .

10 Reasons Why You Should Love Winter Rye

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 13:00:00 GMT

When it comes to forage and cover crops, winter rye offers rock-star versatility that makes it easy to love. Agronomy experts at the University of Vermont , North Dakota State University and the University of Wisconsin offer these reasons why:

1. It’s a nitrogen scavenger – Rye has the ability to take up excess soil nitrate from a previous crop or fall-applied manure, decreasing the risk of run-off and overwinter leaching. Fall-planted rye has been shown to take up and hold as much as 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre until spring, with 25-50 pounds being more common. In addition, it’s also an efficient utilizer of phosphorus. Agronomists estimate about 18 pounds of P are removed per ton of dry matter harvested.

2. Soil stays put – As a ground cover, rye effectively holds soil in place and reduces wind and water erosion. Its extensive root system also can improve soil tilth and reverse compaction damage.

3. Planting is flexible – As long as soil contact is available, winter rye likely will grow. It’s a cold soldier, and has been shown to grow at temperatures as low as 33°F. In fact, for winter rye to flower, it has a “vernalization requirement” of about 30 days of soil temperatures below 45°F. Spring seeding also is possible, although most of the crop will remain strictly vegetative and will not head out.

4. Two crops are better than one – Following a spring rye forage harvest, dual cropping with corn, soybeans or alfalfa is possible in most climates. If the rye crop is taken all the way to seed harvest, options become more limited, but still include sorghum-sudangrass, millet, or a new alfalfa stand. In between, it also creates a valuable summer window of freed-up acres for manure application.

5. It’s a dry matter maker – Compared to other cereal grains, rye grows faster in the fall and produces the most dry matter the following spring – up to 10,000 pounds per acre, depending how long it is allowed to grow.

6. Feeding options abound – Early fall-planted rye can be grazed in the fall or spring. Spring or early summer cuttings can be taken for hay or silage. As dry matter increases, protein goes down and fiber content goes up – both rather quickly. So, if intended for lactating rations, harvesting at or before early boot stage is recommended. Stands harvested at head-emergence stage can produce reliable heifer and dry-cow feed. Rye straw from seed-harvested crops also makes beautiful bedding, and can be chopped into dry-cow and heifer rations.

7. Weed-fighting capabilities – Rye’s aggressive growth means it competes well with small-seeded, light-sensitive weeds like lambs quarters, some pigweeds, foxtail, velvetleaf. It also has been shown to provide natural, allelopathic suppression of kochia, horseweed, marestail, ragweed, that can reduce the need for herbicide application to the next crop.

8. It’s not picky about soil type – Heavy clay, sandy, highly acetic, low-fertility and roughly prepared soils – it appears winter rye can handle them all. Rye can withstand a range of soil types and conditions where other cereal grains may fail. Optimal soil pH for rye is 5.0-7.0, but it will tolerate a range of 4.5-8.0.

9. Moisture may vary – Because of its prolific root system, winter rye also is more drought-tolerant than other cereal grains. At the same time, it is a helpful crop to have in place during wet conditions, as it will utilize excess soil moisture and return it to a more ideal condition for the next crop.

10. It plays nicely with others – Winter rye is an ideal partner to seed together with legumes like hairy vetch and/or clovers. It will initially grow faster than the legume seed, protecting the soil, scavenging nitrogen, and acting as a nurse crop to the legume(s). In the spring, it provides structural support for the climbing legumes. The high-nitrogen legumes reduce the overall carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio of the forage mix, and increase the nitrogen available to the following crop. A rye/legume mix also typically produces a larger dry-matter yield compared to a pure rye stand.

Weed Control in Pastures and Hayfields

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 14:19:36 GMT

Weeds can reduce the quantity and the stand life of desirable forage plants in pastures and hayfields. Weeds also impact the aesthetic value of a pasture. Therefore, producers may choose to initiate weed management strategies that reduce the impact of weeds on forage production.

The first step in effective weed control is to evaluate the pasture or hay field to determine the source of the weed problem. Soil testing to determine the current nutrient and pH status is the place to begin. After correcting fertility levels, the following things must be evaluated and corrected:

Stocking rate to eliminate overgrazing problems
Pasture rotation schedule
Need for additional grazing land
Prevent scalping and mowing-too-low
Correct the mower height in order to leave adequate stubble
Consider renovation where forage stands are very weak

First, a weed is defined as any plant growing where you don’t want it. Therefore, we must begin to think in a broader sense as to what weeds are. A weed can be Bahiagrass or Crabgrass growing in a Bermudagrass hayfield. These unwanted plants are often more aggressive than existing or desired forage species and compete for light, water, and nutrients. In latter stages of maturity, weeds can also reduce the quality and palatability of the forage available for livestock grazing. However, not all weedy plants are detrimental to pastures. In fact, some weedy plants provide nutritional value to grazing animals.

Grazing can be used as an effective weed management tool. Livestock will graze weeds when they are small. In the early vegetative stage of growth, many weeds have nutritive values equal to or greater than the desired forages. However, the forage quality of weeds decline rapidly as the plants mature.

Mowing is especially effective in reducing the amount of weed seed produced by established broadleaf weeds. The mower should cut as close to the ground as possible. Mowing may not completely eliminate weed seed production, since some seed could be produced by plants that regrow from tillers present on grasses below the height of cutting. Also, perennial weeds that spread by underground rootstocks, like thistle, are not effectively controlled by a single mowing.

Another control method includes various herbicides that are available to provide broad-spectrum weed control. When making your selection try to choose a product that will control as many weeds as possible. This reduces the use of herbicides and also minimizes cost by reducing the number of passes through the field. When applying multiple products choose products that can be mixed in the same tank and applied in one pass.

Two popular types of weed control products are pre-emerge and post-emerge herbicides. Pre-emerge herbicide must be applied before the weed seeds germinate. An example of a pre-emerge product is Prowl H2O. This herbicide is used to control Crabgrass in Bermudagrass hayfields. Post-emerge products are used to kill weeds after they have germinated. These herbicides must be used when the plant is actively growing and not simply green.

When using any herbicide, it is important to be aware of the surrounding crops. Drift from many of these herbicides are lethal to other crops like vegetables, shrubs and flowers. Pesticide spray drift is the movement of pesticide dust or droplets through the air at the time of application or soon after, to any site other than the area intended. They should choose a product that will not harm surrounding crops if drift occurs. Drift will vary with boom height, nozzle type, pressure, and wind.

Most herbicides have grazing and feeding restrictions stated on the label that limit the use of the crop for livestock feed. Producers should know and adhere to any grazing or haying restrictions. These restrictions can be anywhere from seven days to one year. Different products vary in their restriction guidelines. Many products that have no grazing restrictions for beef cattle will have grazing restrictions for dairy cattle. Most will also have a withdrawal period before slaughter.

Herbicides can be a useful tool for weed management in pastures and hayfields. They should be used where appropriate and when cost effective. A program that integrates several different control strategies is generally more successful than relying on only one method. Weeds present at the time of herbicide application may be controlled, but if the forage stand is not vigorous and actively growing, new weed seedlings will soon emerge and occupy the bare areas that remain. Thus, without proper use of mechanical control methods and good cultural practices, herbicide use will not be beneficial.

Tips for Managing High-Moisture Corn

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Harvesting and storing high-moisture corn can help producers get a jump on harvest; avoid drying costs; and put up a highly palatable, digestible, nutritious feedstuff.

But, like any fermented feedstuff, its quality can be fragile, and hinges on careful decisions made during harvest and storage. Among them are:

Moisture – The ideal moisture content at harvest is 28-34 percent, according to Warren Rusche, Assistant Professor of Animal Science at South Dakota State University. He said harvesting at dryer levels will result in reduced starch digestibility and increased spoilage risk because there isn’t enough moisture for the crop to ferment properly. Jodie Myers, Forage Specialist with Cargill Animal Nutrition, cautioned that too-high moisture presents another set of challenges. She said levels approaching 40% or higher promote anaerobic instability (heating) at feed-out. As a general guideline, Myers suggested black layer is a good indication of correct harvest stage.

Processing – High-moisture corn that will be stored in a bunker or bag needs to be processed prior to storage by either roller mill, hammer mill, or grinder, advised Myers. Rusche said rolling generally produces fewer fines and thus creates less risk of causing acidosis at feed-out. He also noted whole, unprocessed, high-moisture corn can be stored in oxygen-limiting upright silos.

Packing – As with all ensiled crops, packing is critical to remove oxygen and create an anaerobic environment that is favorable to healthy fermentation. Processing helps facilitate effective packing, and Rusche advised sealing bunkers with plastic to minimize spoilage. If the product is bagged, be sure it is packed tightly as well, and leave enough plastic at the end so a tight seal can be achieved.

Inoculants – Both experts recommend inoculating high-moisture corn, especially if the crop has sustained ear damage or mold growth, and/or is at the lower end of the acceptable moisture range. “Cooler temperatures in the fall can compromise some of the variability of naturally occurring bacteria, and high-moisture corn has lower levels of sugars compared to traditional corn silage to promote rapid fermentation,” advised Rusche. He said inoculants containing Lactobacillus buchneri strains have proven beneficial in promoting fermentation. Myers added L. buchneri also will increase stability at feed-out, thanks to its acetic-acid-raising and yeast-lowering capabilities. The result: feed temperature will remain stable when it is re-exposed to oxygen at feed-out.

Additionally, Rusche suggested considering ensiling high-moisture corn in multiple, smaller bunkers or piles to minimize face surface exposure compared to one larger unit, especially if the product will be fed in the summer.

Above all, he emphasized the importance of being nimble at harvest to capture the best-quality feed store for the year ahead. “Crop conditions can change quickly,” he advised, “so growers need to be prepared to fill storage facilities rapidly or switch fields as conditions change.”

3 Tips for Cover Crop Success

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 20:43:28 GMT

Building trust in food begins with empowering farmers through one of the largest and most diverse conservation- and sustainability-focused public-private partnerships in our nation’s history: America’s Conservation Ag Movement. To find the latest news and resources related to the Movement, visit AgWeb.com/ACAM .

Cover crops continue to work their way onto fields across the Midwest. While the benefits might be well known, so are the challenges in developing an on-farm system to work in each situation. Here area few tips to use cover crops throughout the year.

1. Time Your Cover Crop Planting Right

You don’t have to wait for harvest before putting cover crops in the ground. “We started planting cover crops this year on June 15 into 60" row corn,” says Mitchell Hora, a farmer in Washington, Iowa. “We will continue planting cover crops until the early part of December.”

In the northern Corn Belt, Jodi DeJong-Hughes, a regional extension educator with the University of Minnesota, says preharvest is an option for those worried about an earlier blast of winter. “Before the corn is harvested, when it starts to die off and you can get more sunlight down into the ground, we’re going out there with a highboy to put down the cover crops.”

Depending on the fall and the situation, it might be also be an option to establish a cover crop in late winter or early spring ahead of planting.

2. Aim for Good Seed-to-Soil Contact

Similar to planting cash crops, make sure cover crop seed is well incorporated if planting into standing crops. “We’ve tried it with airplanes, and most of the time you’re feeding the rodents in the field more than you’re getting that seed-to-soil contact we really need,” DeJong-Hughes says.

3. Let Cover Crops Grow Longer

Planting into a green, well-established cover crop can provide benefits at planting. “It’s another way to dry out soils,” Hora says. “It’s not only utilizing evaporation to dry off the top of the soil surface, but we’re also utilizing transpiration, where the plant can pull moisture from the roots deeper in the soil, up through the plant and exude it out into the atmosphere as water vapor.”

Weed Today, Cover Crop Tomorrow

A weed could one day serve as a new beneficial cover crop. Researchers at universities across the Midwest are working to genetically modify pennycress. The plant yields an oilseed that could be processed into biofuel, animal feed and other products.

Pennycress could produce 2,000 lb. of seed per acre or 80 gal. of oil and is suited for the 80 million acres of corn and soybean ground that typically sits dormant in the winter, says Illinois State researcher John Sedbrook. He believes pennycress, like other cover crops, could also help stem topsoil losses and nutrient runoff.