Research

My dairies in Florida, where molasses and citrus pulp are staples and in Arizona, where molasses, beet pulp and almond hulls are common, tended to produce milk with higher protein than my Midwest clients with high silage diets. Fermentation converts most of the sugar in fresh forage to organic acids in the silage.

With feed costs dramatically on the rise, and future trends indicating no signs of decreasing, it is essential to efficiently feed your animals. One effective way to reduce feed costs in the dairy industry, is to manage protein utilization and subsequently lower milk urea nitrogen (MUN).

The only way we can know if a management change works is to do the math...

Published in Progressive Dairy April 2022,  by Sydney Moore and Casey Havekes

How do we reduce feed sorting and the associated economic impact? Feed costs are the highest expense on dairy farms, so ensuring the total mixed ration (TMR) is being consumed correctly, and feed waste is limited, is very important.

Published in Progressive Dairy January 2022, written by Sydney Moore and Casey Havekes

How to feed dry cows has become a hot topic in the last decade, with several researchers and industry professionals promoting controlled energy dry cow diets.

Supplementing sugar encourages DMI, improves immune and metabolic functions and supports energy demands needed for milk production safely and effectively

by John Goeser

Hoard's Dairyman November 2021 Article 

Whether it’s the celebrated song rooted in tradition coming through the loudspeakers prior to the football stadium, the crack of the bat for a hit with bases loaded in a tightly contested playoff baseball game, a slam-dunk by the superstar during a momentous run in a basketball game, or a golfer sinking a critical putt on the 18th green to win a tournament… each of these situations will ignite a crowd.

Feeding a liquid molasses throughout gestation will encourage DMI, reduce feeding losses, encourage healthy feeding behaviours (i.e., limit feed sorting) and provide ewes and does with enough energy to successfully transition them into lactation, reducing the risk of pregnancy toxemia and ketosis. 

Supplemental sugars can improve rumen pH. When more sugars are incorporated into the rumen bacteria, less organic matter is converted into fermentation acids.

Molasses is a sustainable, highly palatable feed, with “sticky” characteristics that allow for binding of all fractions and components of the diet, limiting feed sorting and improving DMI.