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Tight on forages for Missouri dairy farm

Last year’s drought is still impacting dairy farms. Yields were lower than expected in 2023 and Eric Onan Director of Feed Procurement with Milk Source, a Wisconsin-based dairy operation, says as a result he’s holding forage inventory to stretch throughout this year.

“In 2023, we were about 53 percent forage in the diet and this year, to try to hold on to the inventory (and) make sure we get through, we have lowered that down to about 50.5 percent.”

Onan says soy hulls, cottonseed and wet gluten feed were added to the feed ration because they were more affordable.

“So that’s what we’re using to make up for that percent forage reduction and still be able to maintain an overall fiber level that’s good and safe and healthy for the cows.”

Onan says the farm anticipates to harvest a better second crop of alfalfa this week. 

Stangler recently interviewed Onan during a Missouri Dairy Summer Social event at Milk Source’s LaBelle Dairy in La Belle, Missouri.