Putting together the right package of seed and inoculant products to guarantee high quality forage can be challenging work. Many times, it's the discussions between dairy producer and seed representative that make the difference. As a leader in the forage industry, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., has always been on the cutting edge, providing nutrition knowledge about its seed products. Now, Pioneer is providing sales representatives with more education to answer dairy producers' questions.

In traditional dairy areas, Pioneer sales representatives have been working with dairy customers for years, finding solutions and success for quality forage programs. Because dairies are moving into new parts of the country, Pioneer is stepping up training to address needs for these newly established producers.

Pioneer has released two new CD-Rom learning tools to help dairy producers get what they need from seed sales representatives by closely matching agronomics and nutrition needs to dairy performance goals.

"Before the seed discussions can begin, it's important that dairy producers have a seed representative who understands their concerns and opportunities," says Jay Rosburg, sales development consultant for Pioneer. "First and foremost, dairy producers expect their industry partners to understand their main focus is how they can increase their milk production. They need a partner to help them make the best agronomic and forage choices and link these decisions to the impact on feed quality and milk return."

Dairy producers will benefit from their Pioneer representative knowing more about ruminant nutrition, phases of lactation and how nutrition needs vary during the production cycle. Dry matter intake is critical to dairy production, and reps can help producers match quality forage characteristics to improve dry matter intake with key seed and inoculant products. Being able to identify key forage nutrients important to a high-performing diet and understanding how to use this basic knowledge provides better service to dairy producers. The second CD-Rom addresses the role of Pioneer® brand inoculants in the production of high quality forage.

"Choosing a lineup of products to produce quality forage can be a challenging process," Rosburg says. "Our goal is to assist dairy producers in making the best decisions for their operation. Through product segmentation and education, we're helping everyone get their hands around these complex issues."

For example, Pioneer has simplified its corn silage selection process by labeling its best silage hybrids with the PHD (Proven Highly Digestible) designation. To qualify as PHD, a hybrid must achieve outstanding scores for a combination of key silage attributes, including whole-plant digestibility, fiber digestibility, readily available energy (RAE: i.e., starch, sugar, oil), silage yield and milk per acre.

These attributes are key to developing an agronomy program that puts high quality forage in the bunk the coming year. "With new training tools, dairy producers will be better served with the right selection of corn silage hybrids, inoculants and alfalfa as the foundation to produce high quality forage," Rosburg says.

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont, is the world's leading source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics, crop protection solutions and quality crop systems to customers in nearly 70 countries. DuPont is a science company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture, nutrition, electronics, communications, safety and protection, home and construction, transportation and apparel.