How Growers Can Boost Forage Yield and Quality: The Role of Bio-Cal® and Smart Alfalfa Management

Forage yield and quality are two essential pillars in livestock nutrition and farm profitability. At Midwestern BioAg, we’ve been partnering with growers for over 40 years to help them optimize both—through better soil management, smarter crop choices, and science-backed nutrition tools.

One of the most effective strategies to improve forage performance starts with a fundamental nutrient: calcium.

Why Calcium Matters in Forage Production

Calcium is often overlooked in fertility programs, but it plays a crucial role in plant structure, nutrient uptake, and overall forage quality. That’s where Bio-Cal® comes in—our highly soluble, plant-available calcium source designed to improve both yield and nutrient density in crops like alfalfa.

Unlike traditional calcium sources, Bio-Cal doesn’t just supply calcium—it also helps create a better soil environment for root development and microbial activity, which enhances overall plant health and performance.

Energy and Nutrition: Getting More from Every Acre

The goal of any forage program is simple: grow plants that deliver energy, protein, and palatability to livestock. By increasing the nutrient density of the plant, you’re directly influencing how much energy and nutrition animals get per bite.

Bio-Cal supports this by improving nutrient movement through the plant, especially in soils that are tight, acidic, or lacking in biological activity. The result? A more vigorous, nutrient-rich forage crop that performs better in the field—and in the feed bunk.

Hollow Stem vs. Pith: Building a Better Alfalfa

When evaluating forage quality, structure matters just as much as nutrient content. A common issue in alfalfa production is the development of hollow stems—a structural weakness that can impact digestibility and palatability.

By contrast, alfalfa with well-developed pith (the soft, spongy tissue inside the stem) not only holds more sugars but also contributes to a sweeter taste and improved feed intake by livestock. Our focus is on helping growers build alfalfa that’s not just high-yielding, but high in energy, sweet-tasting, and animal-preferred.

The Midwestern BioAg Advantage

At Midwestern BioAg, we take a systems-based approach to agronomy—looking beyond N-P-K to support the full biological and chemical balance of your soils. Our commitment to forage quality goes beyond products; it’s about partnering with you to grow crops that feed animals better and keep your farm productive for years to come.

Ready to boost forage yield and quality? Let’s talk about how Bio-Cal and other soil-smart strategies can help you make the most of your acres.

Contact us today or speak with your local Midwestern BioAg representative to learn more about Bio-Cal.