Corn Silage From Michigan Dairy Grand Champion in 25th Anniversary World’s Forage Superbowl

By Jane Fyksen Crops Editor
Thursday, October 9, 2008 7:22 AM CDT

Corn silage from Vreba Hoff Dairy 2, Hudson, Mich., earned grand champion honors in the 25th anniversary World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl. The awards banquet was held last Wednesday on the World Dairy Expo grounds. Dick Maat represented the dairy, receiving a $2,500 coupon toward the purchase of any Kuhn product from Kuhn North America Farm Machinery.

The grand championship entry was Mycogen TMR 2Q716. It was 30 percent dry matter, 8.1 percent crude protein, 34 percent NDF, 37.4 percent starch, 3.6 percent ash, 2.6 percent fat, 68.1 percent NDFD (as a percent of NDF), 3,754 milk per ton and a visual score of 80.7, for a final score of 96.59.

There were 241 entries from 24 states this year n 59 more entries than last year’s competition. Packard Farms, Clare, Mich., was champion first-time entrant. That entry was Mycogen TMF 2N422 corn silage with 31.6 percent DM, 8.4 percent CP, 32.6 percent NDF, 38 percent starch, 3 percent ash, 2.9 percent fat, 62.4 percent NDFD as a percentage of NDF, judging score of 78.7, 3,696 milk per ton, for a final score of 94.85. This operation was awarded $500 of Silage Supreme from Kent Feeds.

This competition, launched in 1983, provides growers from across the U.S. and Canada a chance to vie for awards by entering high-quality samples in dairy or commercial divisions. Dairy samples are judged 60 percent on lab analysis, 20 percent on visual judging, 10 percent on herd production information and 10 percent on calculated milk per ton. Commercial entries are judged 70 percent on lab analysis and 30 percent visual appraisal. Visual judging keys on color, texture, maturity and leafiness, depending on category. The aim is to make sure the sample was handled in typical fashion for the category entered.

Karl and Barb Wogsland, Scandinavia, are familiar faces in the Forage Superbowl. They were back this year as Dairy Hay champions, receiving one year’s use of a self-unloading forage box from H&S Manufacturing. Others in the top five in Dairy Hay, in order, were: David and Donald Schlies, Denmark; Phil Welter, Whitewater; Randall Geiger, Reedsville; Monte Olszewski, Johnson Creek.

Dairy Haylage champions are Brent and Louann Gjermo, Deerfield. They received one year’s use of a 24-foot Arrow front feeder wagon from S.I Feeders, a division of Schoessow, Inc. Also in the top five in Dairy Haylage, in order, are: Ron Wussow, Cecil; Chase Holschbach, Baraboo; JC Kow Farms Partnership, Whitewater; and Sand Creek Dairy LLC, Hastings, Mich.

The champion in Dairy Corn Silage (standard silage) is Stardust Dairy, South Solon, Ohio. The prize is a $5,000 coupon for any Kelly Ryan product of $10,000 or more from Kelly Ryan Equipment. Second through fifth in Standard Dairy Corn Silage are: Wezbra Dairy, Continental, Ohio; Elam Zimmerman, Martinsburg, Pa.; Goettemoeller Dairy, Maria Stein, Ohio; and Earl Jentes, Wooster, Ohio.

Producers can also enter Brown Midrib (BMR) Dairy Corn Silage. The champion is Spring Prairie Colony, Hawley, Minn., receiving one year’s use of a no-till drill from Atchison/Tigerco Distributing. Second through fifth in BMR Dairy Corn Silage are: Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich.; Jake Tanis, Centre Hall, Pa.; Pleasant View Dairy, Jonesville, Mich.; and Kevin Lee, Magnolia, Ohio.

The Commercial Hay champion is Kellie Hinman, Wheatland, Wyo., receiving one year’s use of a BiFold Hi-Capacity Rake from H&S. Also in the top five, in order, in Commercial Hay are: Paul Peterson, American Fork, Utah; Schlenker Ranch, Meeteetse, Wyo.; Kossert Brothers, Casper, Wyo.; and Ervin Gara III, Torrington, Wyo.

Commercial Baleage was topped by champion Kendall Guither, Walnut, Ill., earning a $2,500 coupon from Kuhn North America Farm Machinery. Second through Fifth in Commercial Haylage this year are: Gary Jungerberg, Augusta; Keith Speltz, Altura, Minn.; Raymond Vanderway, Ferrisburgh, Vt.; and Vista Grande Dairy, Fleetwood, Pa.

Producers interested in entering the 2009 competition can contact AgSource Soil and Forage Laboratory, 106 North Cecil St., Bonduel, WI 54107 (715-758-2178). Entries must be received by Sept. 3 next year.

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