Tag Archive for: Forage Management

Employee Spotlight: Carl Key, Senior Forage Manager

Prairie Estates Genetics is comprised of employees with high levels of competence and experience. This expertise is paired with an excellent line of dairy seed formulated specifically for dairy cows, provides complete management of a dairy farm’s forage program. Recently, PEG hired long time agronomist and forage manager Key. With the addition of Carl to the team, PEG now features five full-time forage managers.

Background

Key was raised on a dairy farm and thus has been involved with agriculture for 50 years. He owned and operated a custom application business, applying fertilizer, herbicides, and crop protection chemicals. He is a Certified Crop Agronomist (CCA) and an expert in the science of soil management and crop production. Key has established multiple agronomy programs and is continually scouting fields, pulling soil and tissue samples, and conducting forage research.

His other accomplishments include:

  • Being CEO of a farm CO-OP
  • Heading forage research for a genetics company
  • Staring a forage research and marketing company
  • Helping build the first database and screening program for Brown Mid-Rib (BMR) hybrid corn silage
  • Having the first large herd milk trial on BMR silage
  • Developing a Rumen model for evaluating and screening corn silage

PEG Senior Forage Manager, Carl Key spraying different fertilizers on silage plots
to analyze hybrid response based on tissue samples and forage analysis.

Developing A Forage Management Program

With this extensive experience, Key is always looking at the latest developments in animal nutrition and agronomy. This focus allows him to be proactive and develop new testing methods and protocols. Carl states, “My goal is to know what the customers’ needs are before the competition and think out of the box.” Key says, “I find out what agronomy and feeding programs are in place and what the customer is looking for from his forages (many times, it is not just about yield). Then it’s time to bring everyone together that could impact the decision-makers, i.e., Herdsman, Crop Manager, Agronomist, Consultant, Nutritionist, and Vet. I then supply the customer with local and third-party data in a comprehensive but yet practical format based on his needs.”

Customer Training

From this initial approach, Key develops a training program saying, “Customer training is vital. I review many topics, including all forages, animal diet and production, planting depth, populations, fertility program, maturity, harvest schedule, chop length, and storage procedures. My goal is to be the customer’s primary source of information and provide all the tools to keep the customer profitable.”

Key has a proven approach for customer success. Prairie Estates Genetics offers the best expertise and guidance by having selected top-notch forage managers as part of the team.

Quality Before The Chopper And After

As chopping season sneaks up on us, we all start to think: “What can I do to ensure quality feed for my cows for the next 365 days of feeding?” While the answer might seem difficult, adding a few key steps, pre-harvest, and mid-harvest, could make a large difference when it comes to feeding out. First, always consult with your nutritionist and other members of your team to help make these things possible.


Forage Manager Sam Smith travels out to his client’s fields to test samples.

One of the most challenging but crucial aspects of quality corn silage is moisture. It is never too early to start checking for moistures; it helps us watch the plant dry down and monitor how fast it may be moving. As we near harvest, we want to be checking our moistures more often to ensure we do not miss our window.

Processing is another important part of having quality corn silage. Checking processing while chopping can help maintain a good cut length and kernel processing. When corn is between 65%-69% moisture for higher corn silage diets, cut length is ideal between ¾-1 inch. For lower corn silage diets, ½-¾ inch TLC is ideal. As your corn silage gets below 65%, cut shorter than half an inch. We can check processing through a Penn State shaker box, and doing this earlier rather than of later helps us make important decisions before it is too late.

When inspecting the processing of your corn silage, we like to see kernels split but not pulverized and that the cob is well broken up. Remember to always consult with your nutritionist and to reach out to your PEG Forage Manager with any questions.

Happy harvest,
We will be seeing you around the Farm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sam Smith
PEG Forage Manager