Dr. Brent Bean and Macey Brown: Utilizing Forage Sorghum as a Silage Source for Dairies | Ep. 221
The Dairy Podcast ShowShow Notes
In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Brent Bean from the United Sorghum Checkoff Program and Macey Brown from DNMCmilk explain how forage sorghum can fit dairy diets, especially in water-limited regions. They discuss hybrid selection, seeding rates, harvest timing, berry processing, lab analysis, starch availability, and practical steps for building confidence when replacing part or all of corn silage. Listen now on all major platforms!
"Sorghum is not corn, and it has to be treated differently." - Dr. Brent Bean
Meet the guests: Brent Bean is Director of Agronomy at the United Sorghum Checkoff Program, where he develops programs focused on sorghum yield, profitability, and management. His background includes 25 years with Texas A&M Research and Extension, conducting research on corn, grain and forage sorghum, wheat, irrigation, fertility, seeding rates, and variety selection. He holds a Ph.D. in Weed Science from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Macey Brown is a Consultant at DNMCmilk, working at the intersection of dairy production, nutrition strategy, and business performance. Her work focuses on using data and practical solutions to identify management changes with measurable financial impact. She also brings hands-on production agriculture experience to her consulting perspective. Brown earned her degree in Animal Sciences from Texas A&M University.
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What you'll learn: (00:00) Highlight (01:40) Introduction (05:57) Water use and sorghum adoption (09:30) Hybrid selection (13:45) Sorghum analysis (19:40) Berry processing technology (25:39) Storage, lab results, and feedout (37:38) Final questions
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