Abstract #M13

# M13
Evaluating forage and feed cost per hundredweight of milk sold on 4 dairy farms double cropping winter annuals with corn silage in northern and western Pennsylvania.
Eric J. Ranck*1, Lisa L. Holden1, 1Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA.

Double cropping winter annuals with corn silage can reduce the nutrients that enter watersheds while providing farmers with extra forage to improve profitability. This study evaluated the effect of double cropping on milk yield and feed and forage costs in areas where double cropping was not common. Four case study farms were chosen from northern and western Pennsylvania, based on willingness to provide data and experience using double cropping. Each farm provided yearly summaries of crop, animal, and financial data for 2016 and 2017. Farmers self-reported crop yields by total crop harvested. Milk yield and milk income were calculated using year-end milk statements. Feed costs were calculated using feed purchased and market prices for crops produced in 2016. For 2017, animal rations and market prices were used to calculate cost of feed. Farms ranged from 54 to 663 (±260.1) cows and 26 to 552 (±221.9) ha. Percentage of hectares double cropped ranged from 8.6 to 23.8 (±7.00) and total hectares double cropped ranged from 6.3 to 58.7 (±21.42). Farm data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to determine difference by farm with least significant difference for mean separation. Milk yield and milk component yield averaged 33.9 (±3.32) and 2.29 (±0.213) kg/d, respectfully, and differed (P < 0.05) by farm. Forage cost per hundredweight of milk averaged $5.64 (±1.248) and differed (P < 0.05) by farm, whereas feed cost per hundredweight of milk averaged $12.05 (±1.958), but did not differ by farm. Lower forage costs were associated with the farm with the highest percentage of land double cropped but did not result in improved milk yield or components per cow, indicating that other management factors and not the use of double cropping had greater effects on milk yield.

Key Words: double cropping, winter annuals, feed cost