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Text Box: Adding value to forages is a topic that has had my interest for many years now. Though it seems like an easy thing to do, it really is quite complex. The first hurtle centers around the concept of forages even having value. It’s no secret that for many years getting producers to recognize that their forage crop is not only a valuable crop but perhaps the most valuable crop they have ever grown, has been a struggle. One only needs to look at how we treat our pastures to know what I’m saying. The recent drought however has helped to bring to the forefront how important this crop is. So, for those interested in adding value to their forage crop lets take a look at how we might do that. To begin with there is several types of “value” you need to be aware of. There is economic value—what is the product worth, there is market value—what can you sell the product for, and an environmental value to growing forage in certain area such as riparian areas etc. For now I would like to concentrate on the production and market value of forages. Adding value means improving the $/ acre you are receiving for your product. You can do this by either 1) growing more product or 2) charging more for the product you have or a combination of both. Growing more product can come from adopting a good fertility plan where there wasn’t one before. It can also come from simply covering your silage pit with a plastic cover to reduce storage and feeding losses. Generally speaking as you move from a low value/acre to a higher value/acre crop a couple of things happen. The risk goes up as you may be investing more $/acre and your knowledge level must increase as you learn more skills. To get started at growing a high value crop you must first decide that, that is your desired goal or outcome. Text Box: It’s a proven fact that unless you make this a goal first, it’s not likely to happen. Let’s use timothy for export as an example. What ever hay crop you are growing is not going to become export worthy unless it just happens to fit all the criteria needed for this market. So, if you want to deliver a higher value crop into this market you need to decide that this is the goal you want to achieve. This now forces you to look at the changes you need to make and process you need to adopt to make it happen. Everything from preparing your fields so they are weed free to understanding how to bale and store your new crop. You may need to attend certain seminars to learn about this market and you will probably build a professional relationship with your buyer. Improving the market value of your forage crop may require that you learn a whole new set of skills. As with the case of the timothy for export where it is important to get to know your buyer this can become equally true for other buyers as well. Here are my Excellent Management Practices For High Value Forages. Know your Product—is it right for the market. In other words are you trying to sell hay that has alsike clover in it to horse owners. Do you know all the costs to grow and market this product. Does your product have something unique about it that is different from others? Know your Customer—Have you talked with the producer who is feeding your product to his/her livestock. Are they happy? Are there improvements you could make? Would they prefer square bales instead of round. Marketing your Product—Have you advertised? Do others know about you? Is your product priced right? I heard an interesting statement at a meeting once that went “The world will not beat a path to your door because you have the best hay” There are other very interesting ways of adding value to forage such as developing brand new never seen before products such as miniature bales, so let your creative juices flow. In closing I would like to say that adding value to a forage crop is within everyone’s reach, it just requires the desire to learn more and go for it! Text Box: Page # Text Box: Adding Value to Forages— Fred Young, Business Development (AAFRD) Text Box: Country Roads Text Box: Inside This Issue:

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President’s Message

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ECAFA Value Added Tour

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Ag– Fieldman’s Message

 

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Variety Demo Plot

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Watering Systems

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A word from Agnes

 

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Adding value to Forages

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Risk Management

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ECAFA

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