You Can Add “Shredlage” to Your Dictionary

Every year Webster’s dictionary adds new words to its voluminous Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary.  Last year, “tweet” and “bromance” we’re added to the coveted collection of words.

In the dairy world, “shredlage” is a word that has only entered our farm vocabulary in the past few months and has already been trademarked. Shredlage describes a new kind of corn silage produced when corn is harvested with a modified chopper.  The modification replaces a now standard kernel processor with what might be best termed a shredder processor.

This may not be a brand new idea, but the usage and relevance has become more pertinent in the past few years.  Researchers at Perdue University found that shredding corn required 40 percent less energy to harvest than chopping.

This technology is not yet available to the average dairyman, but the kinks are being worked out.

So, what are your thoughts on shredlage? Comment below and let us know.  You can learn more at shredlage.com or by following @VTDairy (Virginia Tech’s Dairy Science Dept.) on Twitter.  

Better Check for Aflatoxins in Your Corn

You already know how dangerous aflatoxins can be to your corn, so it is always important to keep a keen eye out for them appearing.  Aflatoxins are a group of chemicals produced by a certain mold fungi which appears as a yellow-green or gray-green color on corn kernels, either in the field or in storage.

So, why should you be concerned about them now?  The prime conditions for the fungus to produce are during warm August nights during a drought…and well, those conditions describe our Mid-Atlantic area right now!

The best way to check your corn for aflatoxins is to make a composite sample consisting of subsamples from every load or bin of corn and test periodically.

And what should you do if you find aflatoxins?  If you suspect this fungus, call your local Farm Credit crop insurance agent immediately.  To ensure coverage, samples must be taken before the grain goes into the bin or any other storage facility.  We can be reached at 888-339-3334 or on mafc.com.

Soy, corn and peanut crop acreage projected to increase this season in Virginia

This year's crops for soybeans, corn and peanuts are projected to consume more acreage as compared to last year, according to a press release distributed by the  Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Producers of soybeans are planning to drive up the amount of soybean plantings to 590,000 acres, which would be 30,000 acres more than last year's harvest. The data was gleaned from a survey conducted by the Virginia Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The survey was administered on March 1.

Corn plantings are projected to encompass 500,000 acres, a climb of 10,000 from last year's crops. Growers of peanuts will plant 23,000 acres, which is 7,000 more acres as compared to last year.

But, despite the climbs of that produce, cotton crops will see a reduction in Virginia, an 18 percent decline as compared to last year's figures.

Nationwide, corn planting has gained 4 percent as compared to last year while soybean figures dropped 1 percent. Wheat plantings gained 3 percent and cotton plantings dropped 11 percent.

West Virginia farm captures second place for corn production per acre

A farm in Northeast West Virginia captured second place in a countrywide contest for measuring the production of corn, according to a press release.

Miltenberger Farm in Keyser, the seat of Mineral County, achieved 279.6187 bushels of corn per acre in the non-irrigated category of the National Corn Yield Contest. Sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, the contest saw a Virginia field capture first place with 288.4817 bushels per acre.

"That is quite a yield and quite an honor for West Virginia and the Miltenbergers," commissioner of agriculture for West Virginia Gus R. Douglass said. "I can remember when you were considered a good grower when you could manage 50 bushels an acre. The yields farmers are getting these days are simply amazing and a credit to the advanced seeds and technology being used."

The MIltenbergers' farm grew Pioineer P1615HR seed while the Virginia farm, which is owned by Justice Family Farms of West Virginia, cultivated Pioneer P2023HR seed corn.

Partaking in the contest has driven yields by as many as 60 bushels per acre throughout the farm, according to Chris Miltenberger.