The “Forage Land Base Calculator” is an Excel spreadsheet that can help evaluate change in forage acres (either alfalfa, corn silage, or both) as a result of a change in any one or more of the following factors…forage yield; dairy herd expansion or reduction; custom raising heifers; higher or lower alfalfa / corn silage feeding ratio; and, change in harvest, storage or feeding losses. The first worksheet is the computerized spreadsheet which will do all calculations for you. The second worksheet (located directly behind the computer spreadsheet) can be printed and used as a hand-held worksheet on the farm. Both the spreadsheet and hand-held worksheet contain step-by-step directions.
Greg Blonde
Associate Professor UW-Extension, Waupaca Co., WI.
June 2000