ANSC654

In-depth exploration of forage crops, focusing on their role in dairy nutrition. Students will learn about different forages used in cow diets, best practices for production, and methods for assessing forage quality at harvest and during ensiling. Throughout the course, students will cover essential topics such as selecting the best corn variety for corn silage production, soil management, harvesting techniques, and the use of inoculants to enhance forage quality and feeding management. They will also discuss how cows utilize forage efficiently, how to formulate balanced diets, how to evaluate the nutritional quality of silage and the effects of climate change and forage production and quality. By the end of the course, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of forage production and management strategies, their impact on livestock health and productivity, and the environmental considerations associated with forage-based diets.