Harvesting losses will likely increase, but a reasonable quality silage can still be made. If the crop becomes too dry, consider a finer chop and adding water or a wet forage during silo filling. When a crop that is ready to be ensiled is frosted, harvest it immediately. The best strategy is to leave the crop in the field to dry down to an acceptable level unless dry matter losses become too high. Plants will dry slowly and dry matter losses will increase as the dead plants lose leaves in the field. If the plants are killed and still immature, they will likely contain too much moisture for immediate ensiling. Partially frosted corn often appears to be drier than unfrosted at the same moisture. If the frost is early and green leaves remain on the plant, the crop will continue to accumulate dry matter and should be left in the field until it reaches the appropriate moisture content. Occasionally, corn is damaged or killed by frost before it reaches the desired maturity for ensiling. Matter, NDF = neutral detergent fiber, ADF =Īcid detergent fiber, CP = crude protein. Effect of cutting height on yield andįorage quality of corn harvested at 75% silk. Justified since nitrate levels are highest in The harvest height to 6 to 8 inches may be Tons per acre while reducing the NDF from 59.9 Wisconsin study, increasing the harvest heightįrom 6 to 18 inches reduced yields up to 0.6 In quality rarely offsets the yield loss. Is usually not profitable, since the improvement Increasing the height to improve silage quality Harvest height is typically set at 4 inches. Or in a microwave oven before harvesting. Whenever possible, measure the moistureĬontent with a commercial forage moisture tester Used only as a rough estimate of moistureĬontent. Season, and hybrid so this technique should be Moisture varies depending on region, growing When the milkline is ½ toĢ/3 of the way down the kernel, silage moisture Harvest timing can be estimated using the kernel Thus, theĭry matter is 34% and moisture is 66% (100-34). Subtract the dry matter content from 100.Įxample: After several heating cycles, the Grams represents the dry matter content of the Spread the forage evenly on the plate and place To test the moisture content of corn silage withĪ microwave oven, weigh out exactly 100 grams ofįresh silage on a paper plate (Don't forget toĪdjust for the weight of the paper plate). Measuring moisture content with a microwave oven Maturity and storage facility you choose for you ![]() Theĭesired feeding program may influence the The kernels) that changes rumen dynamics. Plant digestibility but now the energy is comingįrom an entirely different source (starch from Harvesting later (2/3 to ¾ milk line with someīrown leaves) will mean about the same whole (from lower percentage of kernels), while Yield more digestible stover and less starch Sugars, and less digestible fiber than earlier With harder seed coats, more starch and less ![]() Mature corn silage will have more, drier grain Other considerations for timing the harvest ofĬorn silage are that as the corn plant matures, Gallons to add = ( - FW )/(8.33)įDM = desired final dry matter (e.g., 0.35) Of forage to 65% moisture (35% dry matter): Matter would require 137 gallons of water to getĪmount of water needed to raise moisture content For example, using the equationīelow, a 4000 lb load of silage at 45% dry Often, adding water to a dryįorage becomes impractical because of the amount In dry, overmature corn silage the stove is less Source: Wiersma and Carter, University of Effect of harvest stage on yield and quality of corn silage. Recommended moisture contents for corn silage stored in various Protein levels decline, fiber levels either remain constant or decline,Īnd digestibility remains relatively constant (table 4). Harvest is delayed from full dent to black layer (no milkline) crude In addition, the kernels become harder and less digestible. Silage that is too dry will haveĪir pockets that prevent anaerobic fermentation and allow molds toĭevelop. Seepage removes nutrients, particularly soluble nitrogen andĬarbohydrates, and can damage the silo. Silage ensiled too wet may ferment poorly and seep. Table 3 will promote good packing and will minimize losses due to Corn should be harvested for silage at a moisture content that willĮnsure good storage in the silo.
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