The essence of cattle farming in North America is tied to forage. Given the challenges of recent years, like droughts, squeezing more value from every acre is crucial.
Now, there's a rising appetite for new forage breeds, especially those that can enhance milk and beef output. And the numbers tell the tale. The forage seed market, valued at $22,808 million USD in 2021, might see a twofold surge by 2031.
But what's behind this surge? One word: digestibility. Livestock benefits more from crops that they can easily digest. A primary focus in this direction is alfalfa. By reducing lignin in its stems, its digestibility is increased. And that's not all. With its high protein content, alfalfa might soon find its way into plant-based dishes too.
Besides alfalfa, there's BMR corn, identified nearly 100 years ago. Known for their higher fiber digestibility, its modern versions are showing promising results, at par with conventional hybrids.
However, the forage story isn't just about digestibility. The entire nutritional composition, including traits like resistance to diseases and ability to survive harsh winters, defines its real value.
Source : wisconsinagconnection