Will Cordes, Ration Analyst

• Particle Length and Dry Matter Intake
As temperatures rise, watch intakes carefully. It is also vital to evaluate your forage harvestor so that forages are being chopped at adequate lengths.

• Avoid Abrupt Feed Changes
Dairy cattle are creatures of habit and do not like changes. Remember, it takes time for rumen bugs to adjust to dramatic feed changes.

• Drinking Cups and Waterers
Drinking cup and waterer maintenance along with cleanliness are vital year round. Before things get too busy, take time to do a maintenance check and spring cleaning.

• Ventilation
Spring is an excellent time to reevaluate ventilation and air movement in your barn. Ask your consultant to check the air movement with a wind meter and add more fans, if necessary. • Sprinklers

Since summer and hot weather are only a few months away, this is a great time to consider ways to help heat-stressed cows. Adding sprinklers or fans with sprinklers is an excellent option to consider.

• Corn Silage Variety vs. Grain Variety
Ask your consultant what variety of corn their top producing customers planted last year. We have evaluated many corn silage varieties for digestibility and have seen correlations between highly digestible corn silages and high production. It is not too late to switch varieties before planting.

• Grain Inventory
If your inventory is getting low, now is the time to decide whether you are going to try and stretch it or feed it all now and buy later. Discuss with your consultant what the best option for your dairy is.

• Forage Inventory
Now is the time to evaluate if you will have enough corn silage and haylage until harvest begins. If necessary we can adjust rations to avoid problems before they arise.