70: Forage Quality Decisions That Drive Dairy Profitability

In this episode of Ruminate This with Agrarian Solutions, host Scott Zehr sits down with Joe Lawrence of Cornell Pro-Dairy to discuss one of the most critical and often underestimated drivers of dairy profitability: forage quality.As first cutting approaches, this conversation focuses on the real-world decisions dairy producers are making right now that will impact milk production, feed efficiency, and herd performance for the entire year. From harvest timing and equipment readiness to storage management and crop strategy, Scott and Joe go beyond theory and into practical application.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why first cutting can account for 40–50% of total forage yieldHow harvest timing, not hybrid or variety, drives forage qualityThe hidden cost of shrink and poor storage management on milk productionWhy small grains and cover crops should be strategic tools, not backup plansThe difference between maximizing tons harvested vs. tons fedThey also challenge assumptions around continuous corn systems, double cropping, and aligning agronomic decisions with labor and logistics on today’s dairy farms.Whether you're a dairy producer, nutritionist, agronomist, or industry professional, this episode delivers value to help you get more from your forage program.Because what goes into the bunk today determines what ends up in the tank tomorrow.🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform 💬 Have thoughts or a story to share? Email [email protected].🔗 Stay informed: Get expert livestock nutrition insights, cutting-edge research, and updates on future episodes by subscribing here: agrariansolutions.com/podcastSocial Links:YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@RuminateThisYouTube Page:  https://www.youtube.com/@agrariansolutions5557LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/agrarian-solutions/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AgrarianSolutionsInstagram Page:  https://www.instagram.com/agrariansolutions/Website: https://agrariansolutions.com/Got a Question or want free Mycotoxin Testing? Send us a Message!!