When it comes to corn silage for beef cows, there is more to consider than the average forage. Corn silage is more like a mixed feed due to the corn grain. Therefore, some of the conventional wisdom behind understanding a forage report may not hold up. The prevalence, or in some cases lack of corn...Read More

The thoroughbred racing season at Fonner Park is quickly approaching. That means feeding race horses for optimal speed. Like other athletes, energy, protein and micro-nutrients are key for optimal performance. Nutritional requirements of horses vary by age, growth stage and training intensity. Maintaining a Body Condition Score of 4-5 throughout development, training and racing is...Read More

The function of carbohydrates in any animal’s diet is to provide energy, carbohydrates and forage quality go hand in hand. Simple Carbohydrates Some carbohydrates are more easily digestible and provide energy to the animal, or in the case of the beef cattle to the rumen microbes, more rapidly.  These carbohydrates are Non-Fiber Carbohydrates (NFC). Examples...Read More

Over the past year, when I receive phone calls from equine enthusiasts, all wondering how to interpret their hay analysis for horses. What do I need to analyze my hay for a horse that has been diagnosed with Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Cushing’s Disease, Equine Diabetes or is prone to Laminitis? While the pathology and causes...Read More