• With many fields suffering wind damage and corn yields also crippled by drought, more farmers than usual will be making silage rather than harvesting corn for grain this fall. (farmprogress.com)
  • Silage types should have high forage yields and high digestibility, low fiber levels, and stover that is highly digestible. (wisc.edu)
  • The best silage types have high grain yields because grain is so highly digestible. (wisc.edu)
  • Generally, higher silage yields are produced with hybrids that mature slightly later than those adapted for grain production - perhaps 5 to 10 relative maturity units later. (wisc.edu)
  • For those fields that are planned for silage production, evaluate hybrids based on silage yields performance. (wisc.edu)
  • Many studies have shown that grain yield is a good general indicator of whole plant yield, that is, high grain yielding hybrids tend to have high silage yields. (wisc.edu)
  • For the dual-purpose strategy, select hybrids with good grain and silage yields. (wisc.edu)
  • And in general, yields and quality both began crashing below irrigation levels of 75 percent ET, which is the measurement of total water utilized during crop development, he said. (agfax.com)
  • When cereals were harvested in the mid-dough stage, yields were 6 to 9 tons per acre with protein about 2 percentage points higher than corn silage in dry matter. (missouri.edu)
  • Grain and silage yields were below the 10-year average at most sites. (wisc.edu)
  • Lodged plants and/or broken stalks were counted, plot grain weights and moisture contents were measured and yields were calculated and adjusted to 15.5% moisture. (wisc.edu)
  • Plot weight and moisture content were measured, and yields were adjusted to tons dry matter / acre. (wisc.edu)
  • 4 Increasing plant populations by 10 to 20% over grain recommendations can help maximize silage yields. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Seed costs should also be considered when selecting corn hybrids, as several hybrids often produce yields that are among the highest in a trial. (umn.edu)
  • While the crop wasn't quite ready for the combines to roll, the quality looked good and fairly big kernels pointed to average yields. (farmersforum.com)
  • In some areas yields from drought-stressed, rainfed corn may be particularly low and growers are looking at alternative forage uses for their crop. (unl.edu)
  • The expanding drought, as well as hail, wind, heat, and other factors, may lead to extremely low corn yields in some fields this year. (unl.edu)
  • The resources section at the end of this article has links to information to help with pricing forages in the field and determining the economic value of corn silage. (farmprogress.com)
  • Studies show barley silage as being equal to corn silage, but they show that oat silage has about 50 percent the value of corn silage in beef rations. (missouri.edu)
  • Forage sorghum silage is about 80-90% the feeding value of corn silage due to the reduced starch content and the harder seed coat of the sorghum kernel compared to corn. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Nitrogen rates for silage production should be increased by about 20 pounds per acre compared to grain production based on the feed value of corn silage. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Growers using a dual-purpose strategy may need to plant some fields to the adapted maturity to assure ripening and a limited acreage to the later types for corn silage. (wisc.edu)
  • If you have a window that extends for a few weeks, selecting hybrids with different harvest maturities and using multiple planting dates will help match harvest timing to the maturity of the silage crop. (hayandforage.com)
  • Harvesting at the correct moisture (62% to 64%) and grain maturity is critical to obtaining high-quality corn silage. (hayandforage.com)
  • Chopping at heights between 12 to 20 inches helped compensate for the decline in fiber digestibility associated with harvesting corn at a later stage of maturity. (vitaplus.com)
  • Two BMR and four non-BMR corn hybrids with maturity of 100-110 days were grown under four different irrigation treatments in the northern Panhandle. (agfax.com)
  • Grain yield data were collected on six corn hybrids varying in maturity under four irrigation levels. (agfax.com)
  • Written by two noted and long-time researchers and practitioners, the article provides practical recommendations to integrate concepts and knowledge about forage maturity, fiber degradability, particle size, fragility, and moisture content. (feedstuffs.com)
  • Kansas State University studies indicated that wheat, barley and oat silages harvested in the mid-dough stage of maturity produced the greatest total digestible nutrients (TDN) and the best beef gain per acre when fed to cattle (Table 1). (missouri.edu)
  • Maturity effects on wheat silage. (missouri.edu)
  • When wheat and other cereals are direct cut at mid-dough maturity, they will produce forage with 60 to 65 percent moisture. (missouri.edu)
  • Harvesting corn silage at the optimal maturity stage, indicated by firm kernels with a milky or doughy consistency, maximizes the digestibility of corn silage kernels and fiber. (agrithing.com)
  • The quality of all silages, including corn silage, is largely impacted by plant maturity, dry matter content of the forage at harvest, and the amount of oxygen removed through packing and covering. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Corn products should be selected for high yield potential, relative maturity, and nutritional quality. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Corn product selection should begin with identifying products that have been tested locally and are adapted to local growing conditions for maturity, disease and insect resistance, and drought tolerance. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Feed requirements, harvest timing, and the potential of wet soils at harvest may also impact corn product selection in terms of maturity. (lewishybrids.com)
  • The importance of harvest moisture and maturity to corn silage quality and animal performance is often underestimated. (fieldcropnews.com)
  • Consider choosing two to three hybrids in each of two to three maturity groups, where a maturity group represents a set of hybrids that have grain moisture within 2% of each other at harvest. (umn.edu)
  • Within a maturity group, look for hybrids that have high and stable yield, lower grain moisture, and less stalk lodging. (umn.edu)
  • Hybrids planted for silage should be about 5 to 10 units greater in relative maturity than hybrids planted for grain. (umn.edu)
  • Select multiple hybrids with varying maturity to widen the time for harvest, as harvesting at the correct moisture level is critical for high-quality silage. (umn.edu)
  • Selecting the right corn product for silage begins with product maturity. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Select a relative maturity that consistently reaches the correct harvest moisture before frost. (stewartseeds.com)
  • When comparing corn product ratings, it is recommended to compare ratings within a maturity group. (stewartseeds.com)
  • A silage crop needs to reach whole plant moisture level around 65%, or around one-half milk line, to reach correct harvest maturity. (stewartseeds.com)
  • A planting window that follows a small grain silage crop can be a viable cropping option in areas where the growing season is long enough to get a shorter season silage crop to maturity. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Temperature and moisture are the primary drivers of the yield and nutritional variability seen within hybrids across years and locations. (pioneer.com)
  • Selecting hybrids for silage production depends somewhat on whether a field is planned specifically for silage or whether the field may be harvested for grain (dual purpose). (wisc.edu)
  • However, ranking for top-yielding hybrids used for silage may vary based on differences in fiber digestibility and grain-to-stover ratio. (wisc.edu)
  • However, within the high grain group, there can be differences in whole plant yield and fiber digestibility, reinforcing the need to have silage data available on these hybrids. (wisc.edu)
  • Differences exist among commercial corn hybrids for digestibility, NDF (neutral detergent fiber), NDF digestibility, and protein. (wisc.edu)
  • Most studies have shown that within a group of commercial hybrids, there will be a few with superior quality, most with average quality, and a few with significantly less than average quality. (wisc.edu)
  • Many seed companies are developing forage quality profiles of existing corn hybrids. (wisc.edu)
  • Select hybrids with a combination of yield and quality that maximizes livestock production per acre. (wisc.edu)
  • The trade-off between yield and quality in selecting hybrids for corn silage production is based on the value placed on silages of different nutritional composition. (wisc.edu)
  • You may encounter a lack of silage-specific data for your area and need to expand the search to data from grain studies while working with your seed suppliers to identify closely related silage hybrids. (hayandforage.com)
  • When selecting hybrids, consider your silage harvest window. (hayandforage.com)
  • The reduction in forage quality represented by starch content was consistent across hybrids tested as water amounts were decreased. (agfax.com)
  • Short-season corn is expected to perform better under drought, however we discovered there was not generally a yield advantage under water deficit and instead, long-season hybrids outperformed at the 100 and 75 percent ET levels. (agfax.com)
  • Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids can also be used for silage but will have less grain in the silage. (thecattlesite.com)
  • In trials where many corn hybrids are compared, it is common for grain yield to vary by 30 to 50 bushels per acre or more among hybrids. (umn.edu)
  • Full-season hybrids do not consistently out-yield mid-season hybrids, particularly in central and northern Minnesota, and full-season hybrids usually have higher grain moisture than mid-season hybrids at a given time in the fall. (umn.edu)
  • Longer-season hybrids typically produce higher silage yield. (umn.edu)
  • However, longer-season hybrids may not be optimal if one wants the option of harvesting corn for grain rather than silage. (umn.edu)
  • Consider both silage quality and yield when selecting hybrids. (umn.edu)
  • Once a suitable group of hybrids has been identified based on milk per ton and yield, further selection within this group can be based on specific forage quality and agronomic traits. (umn.edu)
  • Consult with a livestock nutritionist when selecting silage hybrids to ensure that the selected hybrids will have the necessary nutritional value. (umn.edu)
  • Brevant seeds brand Bovalta BMR silage corn is the newest addition to a proven line of high-performance silage, including Brevant seeds brand BMR hybrids, Unified® corn silage with SilaSoft™ technology, TMF hybrids and Brevant seeds brand Forage Quality products. (brevant.com)
  • Still farm-family owned and managed over half a century later, Burrus Hybrids has built on a tradition of growing excellence to become the successful regional hybrid seed corn supplier it is today. (agswag.com)
  • In silage product selection, it is essential to consider energy value in terms of high fiber and starch digestibility. (lewishybrids.com)
  • 2003) modified the NRC (2001) TDN maintenance summative energy equation for corn silage to include starch and non-starch NF C components with a variable predicted starch digestibility coefficient, and a direct laboratory measure of the NDF digestibility coefficient rather energy value was derived from TDN maintenance using the NRC (1989) empirical equation in MILK2000 (Schwab et al. (extension.org)
  • There are good reasons why dairymen in the Midwest and on the East Coast spend more time figuring out how to feed new-crop corn silage than many of their counterparts in the West - and those reasons are soil variability and Mother Nature. (pioneer.com)
  • Corn grain research from the University of Illinois attributes 19 percent of the grain yield performance to hybrid genetics, with the remaining influence a result of weather (27 percent), nitrogen (26 percent), previous crop (10 percent), plant population (8 percent), tillage (6 percent), and growth regulators (4 percent). (pioneer.com)
  • LODGED CORN: Harvesting against the direction in which the crop is leaning helps gather the corn into the silage chopper. (farmprogress.com)
  • It may be difficult to harvest good-quality corn silage if the crop has weather damage and the economic value of the silage will likely be lower than silage from non-damaged fields. (farmprogress.com)
  • If a row crop head is used, flattening the head angle may help with feeding lodged corn into the forage harvester. (farmprogress.com)
  • When wheat is cut early for silage instead of grain, there is more time for growing the second crop. (missouri.edu)
  • The wet August and healthy corn crop are great for tonnage, but will present challenges for determining when to harvest the corn crop for silage. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Moisture at harvest determines how well the chopped crop will pack, which directly impacts the quality of silage when fed-out. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Every year, the University of Wisconsin-Extension and the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences conduct a corn evaluation program in cooperation with the Wisconsin Crop Improvement Association. (wisc.edu)
  • Corn rootworm insecticide was applied when the previous crop was corn. (wisc.edu)
  • Corn silage is an important source of forage in the United States, providing a high-quality feed crop for ruminant animals because of its relatively high energy content. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Corn products from Bayer Crop Science may have resistance or tolerance to many of the common diseases that attack corn. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Soil nutrient removal for potassium and phosphorus will be higher for silage than for grain production, due to the removal of crop residue. (stewartseeds.com)
  • A yield goal of 25 tons per acre will need a total of 250 pounds of nitrogen per acre available to grow a crop which is comparable to a 200-bushel corn crop. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Above ground pests can be more of a problem if the silage crop is planted significantly later than most of the corn planted in an area. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Salvaging failed crops as silage for livestock can be a "win-win" for both crop growers and livestock owners. (sdstate.edu)
  • For corn fields in 2021, almost 75 percent of acres with cover crops used a grass or small grain cover crop, such as cereal rye, winter wheat, or oats. (usda.gov)
  • At 44 percent of acreage, cereal rye was almost twice as common as winter wheat (27 percent) as the cover crop on corn for grain fields. (usda.gov)
  • The silage pH may not plateau for five to six months in this case, but Bradford acknowledged that most farms would not be able to wait that long prior to feeding the new crop of silage. (hoards.com)
  • Bradford added that some farms may need to include other forages, such as a cover crop silage or wheat straw, to provide some effective fiber to maintain rumen health without taking up too much space in the diet. (hoards.com)
  • Meristem sources, formulates, licenses, and delivers high-quality crop inputs to farmers at the highest possible value offering substantial savings. (agswag.com)
  • Producers receive the benefit of high chopping quality and full leverage of the header and crop flow potential. (deere.ca)
  • For example, how many pounds of dry matter are in 1,000 as-fed pounds of corn silage at 35% dry matter? (tamu.edu)
  • If producers are feeding 75 or 80 pounds of corn silage per head per day, they're relying on a huge amount of on-farm feed, and it must be stored correctly to preserve silage quality. (brevant.com)
  • However, high commodity prices have encouraged many grain farmers to plant corn for grain rather than silage. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Quality is such an important part of silage that if a producer is even a half inch short on irrigation, it can affect silage quality, he said. (agfax.com)
  • How Does Corn Disease Affect Silage Quality? (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Differences in forage value calculated in this way reflect additional amounts of grain and digestibility required to equate quality differences of the forages. (wisc.edu)
  • Based on the reviewed research, the authors recommended that the length of cut for forages should be adjusted based on fiber degradability, fragility, and moisture content for crops such as corn silage. (feedstuffs.com)
  • Saylor completed his bachelor's degree in animal science at the University of Arizona and his master's in animal science at Kansas State University where his research focused on forage quality and the inclusion of drought-tolerant forages in dairy diets. (lallemandanimalnutrition.com)
  • Silage can also be made from small grains such as rye, wheat, oats, triticale, or barley, or from summer annual forages such as forage sorghum, sorghum-sudan or pearl millet. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Summer annual forages can also be used for silage, and as with small grains, are generally cheaper to produce than corn silage. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Testing Forages for Quality Can Save Dollars and Makes Cents When Designing Feeding Programs for the Herd, writes Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science Animal Science, University of Nebraska - Lincoln and published by Ohio State University Extension Beef Team. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Sampling and testing forages for quality can make designing a feeding program easy and economical. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Other dry matter or moisture levels make it difficult to distinguish between silages and fresh forages. (wardlab.com)
  • Although no claims have been made that Brown midrib forages have reduced nitrate toxicity risk, there are many antidotes claiming quality forages are less likely to harbor high nitrate concentrations. (wardlab.com)
  • Before harvesting corn for silage, be sure you have a market for the silage or a sufficient number of livestock to feed it to," says Brian Dougherty, Iowa State University Extension ag engineering specialist. (farmprogress.com)
  • When harvesting lodged corn for silage, use a Kemper head if possible. (farmprogress.com)
  • The keys to good silage storability are harvesting at correct moisture, achieving good packing density, properly installing and maintaining silage covers, and selecting a good location for storage. (farmprogress.com)
  • Key considerations on corn stage, moisture content and drought severity when harvesting for silage. (umn.edu)
  • Cattle feeders have produced 70 to 120 bushels of grain sorghum per acre after harvesting 7 to 9 tons of wheat silage per acre. (missouri.edu)
  • Harvesting corn with the right moisture content is crucial for effective kernel processing. (agrithing.com)
  • Harvesting corn silage at the right time ensures that the nutrients are used to the maximum extent. (agrithing.com)
  • I think over the years we've learned that we have to be patient when we're harvesting to get the silage off at the right time," says Ryan Kasko of Kasko Cattle Co. "Especially corn - I think I've been prone to taking it off too early and having too high moisture. (realagriculture.com)
  • 3 Keep in mind that later-maturing corn products may not be suitable for harvesting grain in most years but may be suitable for high moisture corn, for early season silage production, or for use in areas where wet soils may impact harvest. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Harvesting at the best moisture level is critical to producing high quality corn silage. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Guindon recommends harvesting at a moisture level of 65%, or 35% dry matter, depending on the type of ensiling system you plan to use. (ziskapp.com)
  • When the moisture content is right, start harvesting earlier rather than later, recommends Donna Amaral-Phillips, an extension professor at the University of Kentucky. (ziskapp.com)
  • Optimizing silage value starts by harvesting at the right moisture content. (sdstate.edu)
  • Producers benefit from a better quality of chop, smoother feeding, and an easy-to-utilize harvesting system. (deere.ca)
  • For example, a high grain or high starch corn silage may be best in a finishing ration or in a dairy ration that contains a lot of good quality forage. (wisc.edu)
  • But in a dairy ration where corn silage makes up the bulk of the ration, the same high grain corn silage may not be as desirable as a high energy, low grain silage. (wisc.edu)
  • Dairy diets today typically contain 25% to 35% corn silage on a dry matter basis, and some may exceed these levels. (hayandforage.com)
  • With greater inclusion rates, the quality of the corn silage becomes important to the performance of the dairy herd. (hayandforage.com)
  • Home » Dairy Performance » What do we do with low-moisture corn silage? (vitaplus.com)
  • Currently, he is at the University of Florida conducting research in applied dairy nutrition and silage management. (lallemandanimalnutrition.com)
  • For dairy producers, quality refers to milk produced per ton of corn silage. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Many dairy feeds, particularly silages, contain more than 50% water. (tamu.edu)
  • Mario Agovino, from Alltech Italy, looks at the effect of organic selenium (Sel-Plex®) on dairy cow health, fertility, milk production and milk quality. (thedairysite.com)
  • To evaluate the effect of organic selenium (Sel-Plex, Alltech Inc.) in diet on dairy cow health and fertility and milk production and quality. (thedairysite.com)
  • Dairy quality alfalfa ba leage, Ist & 2nd cutting, delivery avail. (psu.edu)
  • Dairy quality alfalfa hay. (psu.edu)
  • Alfalfa hay: dairy and horse quality, big squares or small squares. (psu.edu)
  • Slater recommends producers work closely with their ag retailer and nutritionist this fall to assess silage quality, evaluate performance and review new products that will help them meet their dairy goals. (brevant.com)
  • Late corn planting this year will naturally increase the risk of frost damage before producers can harvest corn silage. (kemin.com)
  • When is the Time Right to Harvest Corn Silage? (ziskapp.com)
  • He needed to chop some corn. (primitivearcher.com)
  • On average small grain silages sampled on-farm in Nebraska lost 9% units of TDN from green chop to silage. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Selecting products with a range of relative maturities can widen the harvest window, allowing farmers to chop their corn at optimum moisture content. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Silage, green chop, hay, and grazing all are potential options for capturing its value. (unl.edu)
  • Plants with any green leaves usually are too wet to chop for silage. (unl.edu)
  • Green chop minimizes waste but may be the most dangerous way to salvage corn. (unl.edu)
  • Corn silage harvest is often a waiting game, as farmers carefully watch whole plant moisture in an effort to chop corn at the ideal dry matter level. (hoards.com)
  • Whole plant moisture is the most important factor for deciding when to harvest corn. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Plant growth stage is another consideration, but it secondary to whole plant moisture. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • We would guess that most corn will be past blacklayer before it reaches proper whole plant moisture this year. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Simply looking at milkline or blacklayer is an inaccurate method for determining whole plant moisture. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Of all the methods used to estimate whole plant moisture, the Koster tester is probably the most accurate on-farm device. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Having multiple samples will provide a better estimate of the whole plant moisture in the field. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Measure whole plant moisture by drying on-farm with a Koster tester or microwave, or by sending to a lab for NIR spectroscopy. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • Once [the corn] hits half milkline, we know whole plant moisture will start to drop, so chopping should be close by," Carolan says. (ziskapp.com)
  • Two more ways to help maximize investments at harvest are to check whole-plant moisture and get a good cut length. (brevant.com)
  • Whole-plant moisture is one of the most critical components of the silage harvest," Slater said. (brevant.com)
  • If high nitrate concentrations are a concern, submit a sample to a forage testing lab before the silage is fed to livestock. (farmprogress.com)
  • Corn silage kernel processing is important for improving the nutritional value and digestibility of silage for livestock. (agrithing.com)
  • Analyzing the particle size distribution of processed corn silage provides insights into the effectiveness of corn silage kernel processing for optimal livestock feeding. (agrithing.com)
  • Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS), which are rich in energy and protein, have been used in place of corn and soybean meal in some livestock and poultry feeds and corn DDGS have become the most popular, economical, and widely available alternative feed ingredient for use in U.S. swine diets in all phases of production. (wikipedia.org)
  • It involves breaking down corn kernels into smaller particles, which makes the starch and fiber easier to ferment and digest in the animal's stomach. (agrithing.com)
  • The type and condition of the equipment used for corn silage kernel processing significantly impact how well the kernels are processed. (agrithing.com)
  • Kernel processing helps break down the tough outer layer of corn kernels, making the fiber more accessible and improving digestion. (agrithing.com)
  • Kasko farms in southern Alberta and says they now aim for 65 percent moisture, and use a corn processor to crack kernels. (realagriculture.com)
  • Ear damage caused by insects that feed on husks and kernels, such as western bean cutworm or corn earworm, can increase the likelihood of mycotoxin accumulation. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Since the kernels in dry corn are harder to ferment, they are less digestible if particle size is not reduced. (hoards.com)
  • The beans are still good quality if we can get them before the pods all fall off the straw. (primitivearcher.com)
  • Certified Organic Wrap Bales, Clover Mix 570-437-2656 High moisture shelled corn (rolled) 717-543-5836 717-543-5261 Bright wheat straw 3x3 x 8 bales pickup or deliv er 717-252-2074. (psu.edu)
  • Rolled Corn silage, straw, hay. (psu.edu)
  • 716-344-4452 QUALITY GRASS HAY- Round Bales, Stored In side, Balage Grass 8c Al falfa Straw, Can Deliver Trailer Loads. (psu.edu)
  • Some have proposed that moderate stress of irrigated corn prior to tasseling may boost NDFD and allow for shifting water supplies to the kernel starch filling period. (pioneer.com)
  • How heat and water stress affects corn and how to evaluate kernel set. (umn.edu)
  • Kernel processing has improved in recent years, allowing corn to mature longer and improve corn silage starch quality. (vitaplus.com)
  • When processing dry corn silage, it is best to shorten the length of cut to ensure good kernel processing. (vitaplus.com)
  • With the expectation of corn being more mature at harvest this year, properly adjusting kernel processors will be critical to high quality silage. (striptillfarmer.com)
  • In this article, we will discuss the factors that affect corn silage kernel processing, digestibility, the best practices for optimization, evaluation methods, practical tips, and successful case studies. (agrithing.com)
  • Investing in high-quality equipment like roller mills or processors ensures efficient kernel breakage and particle size reduction. (agrithing.com)
  • Additionally, if the infection is severe, it may result in early plant death and consequently lower kernel quality, reduced grain test weight, and a predisposition of the corn plant to root and stalk rots. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Stalk rots may impact harvestability, yield, moisture content, and kernel quality of the corn silage. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Does Kernel Processing Silage Pay for Growing and Finishing Beef Cattle? (sdstate.edu)
  • Kernel processing involves passing harvested silage through a set of rollers mounted on the chopper. (sdstate.edu)
  • Well in advance of harvest, decide on the type and application of silage inoculants. (hayandforage.com)
  • Inoculants work most efficiently to drop silage pH when the moisture range is ideal. (kemin.com)
  • High-moisture ear corn (HMEC) was treated with specific bacterial inoculants and evaluated for its aerobic stability and utilization for growth by beef steers. (ncsu.edu)
  • It shows silage yield, starch content, and 24-hour NDFD (neutral detergent fiber digestibility) of the same hybrid grown in 14 locations in Michigan during 2009. (pioneer.com)
  • Moderate temperatures and relatively dry growing conditions appear best for overall corn silage quality in terms of fiber digestibility and starch content. (pioneer.com)
  • Growing conditions during corn vegetative growth (prior to pollination) affect corn internode length (thus plant height and yield) and fiber digestibility. (pioneer.com)
  • SURPLUS MOISTURE during vegetative growth appears to have the greatest effect on reducing NDFD (neutral detergent fiber digestibility). (pioneer.com)
  • When growers select silage products, they should determine what is needed to improve their current feeding ration (higher starch, improved fiber digestibility, or other factors). (lewishybrids.com)
  • Milk per ton is an overall indication of silage quality, and is estimated from forage analyses for crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), NDF digestibility (NDFD), starch, and non-fiber carbohydrate. (umn.edu)
  • There is also more undigestible fiber in sorghum compared to corn. (cultivateconnections.org)
  • On the flip side, fiber is usually more digestible in drought stressed silage, which can lead to diet formulation challenges. (hoards.com)
  • Since this silage won't be very energy dense, farms may attempt to backfill with more concentrate, but because the fiber is more digestible, the cows may end up deficient in effective fiber. (hoards.com)
  • Silage with highly digestible fiber helps producers get more out of what they feed cows. (brevant.com)
  • New for 2023, Brevant® seeds brand Bovalta™ BMR silage corn builds on the high level of fiber digestibility that producers count on from BMR, with improved agronomics, tonnage and starch. (brevant.com)
  • New Brevant® seeds brand Bovalta™ BMR silage corn delivers high levels of fiber digestibility. (brevant.com)
  • In contrast, forage that is too wet will lose soluble nutrients from excessive seepage and will produce an unpalatable silage high in butyric acid. (missouri.edu)
  • The total digestible nutrients (TDN), a measure of energy for the animal, in corn silage is usually about 68 to 72% and the crude protein (CP) is around 8-10% when the grain in the silage is about 50% of the plant material harvested. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Other management tips include providing nutrients, irrigating, using the proper length of cut, appropriately timing the silage harvest, and-only in some cases-applying fungicide. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • The water component contains no nutrients, so high-moisture feeds are less valuable per pound on an as-fed basis. (tamu.edu)
  • Upon arrival, the ingredients are weighed, tested and analyzed for various nutrients and to ensure their quality and safety. (wikipedia.org)
  • Proper harvest timing is key when it comes to storing high quality corn silage," says Casey Guindon, an educator in field and forage crops at Penn State University. (ziskapp.com)
  • Many acres in DeKalb County and surrounding counties were not planted to the usual field corn or soybean crops due to the severe wet weather delaying planting in the months of June and July. (cultivateconnections.org)
  • Including cover crops in a rotation can provide benefits such as improved soil health and water quality, weed suppression, and reduced soil erosion. (usda.gov)
  • Data from the field-level USDA Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) provide information on which cover crops were grown in the fall before planting corn, cotton, and soybeans. (usda.gov)
  • Using cover crops helps prevent soil erosion, conserves soil moisture and protects water quality. (kimmisdairyland.com)
  • To put one plot in perspective, on average, soils with a 150 bushel/ acre yield potential, a hybrid with a proven 2-ton per acre (30 percent DM) advantage has only a 60 percent chance of being that plot's top-yielding silage hybrid. (pioneer.com)
  • Herbicide and insect resistance traits are also important considerations for protecting and maximizing silage yield potential and quality. (lewishybrids.com)
  • While conventional corn products may offer lower seed costs and market premiums, these products can require more intensive weed, insect, and other management practices, resulting in higher overall costs, lower stress tolerance, and lower yield potential. (lewishybrids.com)
  • University and industry studies have shown that grain yield potential can help indicate high silage yield. (lewishybrids.com)
  • The formula evaluates laboratory forage analysis and yield potential to create an index of potential milk production for silage products. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Best management practices (BMPs) for high yield potential and quality silage includes corn product selection, planting date, fertility, pest management, fungicides, harvest height, delivery rate, and harvest dry matter (DM) content. (stewartseeds.com)
  • For more information about protecting profitability and silage yield potential, visit your local ag retailer and visit Brevant.com . (brevant.com)
  • Producers need to remember to harvest at 65-72% moisture (28-35% dry matter). (kemin.com)
  • While these silages can usually be produced cheaper than corn silage and can certainly improve diet quality when included in poor quality hay based rations, producers should be aware that all silages are not the same quality. (thecattlesite.com)
  • However, there are some generalizations that producers should be aware of when comparing types of silage. (thecattlesite.com)
  • For beef producers, quality is the rate of gain per ton of corn silage. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Ear diseases may cause the greatest concern among silage producers, as ear diseases can impact grain quality and contaminate the silage with mycotoxins. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • NRCS also provides free technical assistance to producers and landowners participating in working lands programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) that primarily provide financial assistance for practice adoption. (usda.gov)
  • Brevant seeds brand Bovalta BMR silage corn is built with the newest, elite genetics from Corteva Agriscience to help producers boost milk production and their bottom line. (brevant.com)
  • Producers should target 65% to 68% moisture, depending on how the silage is being stored. (brevant.com)
  • Specifically, corn silage can be valued based on calculated market prices for energy, protein, and digestibility as measured by net energy for lactation (NEL), crude protein, and NDF. (wisc.edu)
  • In the dry season, the availability and quality of forage are reduced because of cell wall lignification and decreased crude protein content (Bodner & Robles, 2017). (scielo.org.za)
  • Thus, a ton of corn contains 160.2 lb of crude protein. (tamu.edu)
  • Prices of corn, soybean meal, and legume hay can be used to determine market prices for these nutritional components (table 1). (wisc.edu)
  • Market value ($/wet ton) of the nutritional content of average corn silage at different legume hay, corn, and soybean meal prices. (wisc.edu)
  • How drought stress affects corn and soybean during early- to mid-vegetative stages and water use and irrigation considerations. (umn.edu)
  • These unplanted corn/soybean acres are called prevent plant acres. (cultivateconnections.org)
  • Brevant® seeds is a high-performance corn and soybean brand from Corteva Agriscience that is new to the U.S. market and provides industry-leading seed and service exclusively to retail focused in the Midwest and Eastern Corn Belt. (brevant.com)
  • The tremendous influence of growing environments on corn silage's yield and nutritional quality is illustrated in Figure 1 . (pioneer.com)
  • More research is needed regarding when to irrigate corn to manipulate silage yield and nutritional value. (pioneer.com)
  • Research by corn breeders suggest that, to be 95 percent confident in selecting the best hybrid for silage yield or nutritional traits, a minimum of 20 direct, side-by-side comparisons (in the same plot) are required, preferably across multiple years to account for unique yearly environmental effects. (pioneer.com)
  • During the rainy season, which lasts for about three months, forage is abundant, and has good nutritional quality. (scielo.org.za)
  • Unlike with silage, nitrate levels do not decrease in hay after it is baled. (unl.edu)
  • While conventionally cut silage will return to its original shape after compression, a shredded stalk does not have as much ability to expand after compression, which reduces oxygen levels. (vitaplus.com)
  • This dry appearance is deceptive as leaves only represent 10-15% of the total plant weight and moisture remains in the stalk and grain even when the leaves look dry. (kemin.com)
  • Corn diseases can affect the leaves, stalk, and ear. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Silage corn plants were shorter this year but delivered good stalk-to-grain ratio, and good quality. (farmersforum.com)
  • For corn with no grain, even if all leaves are dead, the whole plant (and silage) moisture can be 70% if the stalk is still green and alive. (unl.edu)
  • Corn also matured quicker this year, resulting in drier-than-normal corn silage. (vitaplus.com)
  • Packing is emphasized every year, but it was especially important this year because drier corn silage is harder to pack and squeeze out the air. (vitaplus.com)
  • Frosted leaves often appear drier than undamaged corn. (kemin.com)
  • Despite the drier appearance, frost-damaged corn will require just as many days to dry down as undamaged corn. (kemin.com)
  • Droughty conditions, plant disease, and delayed harvest can all lead to corn silage that is drier than ideal. (hoards.com)
  • Hay and alfalfa fields received lots of moisture and grew plenty heading into winter. (farmersforum.com)
  • 732-409-3096 Certified Organic Alfalfa/Grass mixed hay, prime quality, $lB5. (psu.edu)
  • Growing conditions after pollination primarily affect silage starch content. (pioneer.com)
  • Meanwhile, growing conditions right after pollination primarily affect corn silage starch content. (pioneer.com)
  • This could be a home run for silage quality if you can realize improved forage digestibility with no loss of starch content. (hayandforage.com)
  • Data were collected on the amount of irrigation, total plant biomass, moisture content at harvest, forage quality and other agronomic traits. (agfax.com)
  • The higher the grain content of the small grain silage, the higher the feeding value. (missouri.edu)
  • A lower grain content is the reason studies show oat silage to be inferior to other small grain silages for beef cattle feed. (missouri.edu)
  • Including silage in a TMR can reduce ration cost, improve the energy content of the diet, and add moisture, which can serve as a ration conditioner. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Therefore, regardless of the type of silage fed, samples should be sent to a commercial laboratory for nutrient content analysis. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Stage at harvest impacts both yield and nutrient content of small grain silages. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Again, the actual nutritive content of silage achieved will vary a lot from situation to situation as silage management such as moisture content, packing density achieved and covering all affect the end result. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Sampling for nutrient analysis should be done after the silage is fermented as the energy content can change a lot during the process. (thecattlesite.com)
  • Proper silage packing can be managed by utilizing a recommended cutting length of about .375 inches, 11 and by targeting a silage moisture content of about 65% at harvest. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • At this moisture content, the silage can be adequately compressed, and the oxygen is removed more quickly," she says. (ziskapp.com)
  • At a lower moisture content, oxygen is not quickly excluded, and mold can continue to grow and heat the silage. (ziskapp.com)
  • At a higher moisture content, clostridia bacteria begin to grow, and create silage that smells rancid -- resulting in lower palatability and quality. (ziskapp.com)
  • The protein content of corn silage increases as the availability of nitrogen increases. (stewartseeds.com)
  • There are several ways to reduce moisture content. (unl.edu)
  • The general goal is to ensile feed that is at 65% to 70% moisture content. (hoards.com)
  • 2003) by many commercial feed testing laboratories especially for corn silage which they have long been analyzing for starch content and have developed NIRS calibrations for starch determination. (extension.org)
  • Soil types and environmental stresses have important impacts on yield and quality. (hayandforage.com)
  • Irrigation considerations, soil moisture effects on nitrogen availability. (umn.edu)
  • Select corn products that show consistent performance over multiple locations under different soil and weather conditions. (lewishybrids.com)
  • Yield variability was mainly the result of soil moisture availability, planting date and aphid control. (farmersforum.com)
  • Early season corn insects - Black cutworms and seed-feeding soil insects like wireworms, seed corn maggots and white grubs tend to be a problem in corn during a cool, wet spring. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Wheat, barley and oat silages are often underrated as feed for growing and finishing beef cattle. (missouri.edu)
  • Six years of study at Kansas State University showed that the performance level of beef cattle on rations high in wheat silage were about 80 percent of the performance level of beef cattle on corn silage rations. (missouri.edu)
  • Effects of bacterial inoculation of high-moisture ear corn on its aerobic stability, digestion, and utilization for growth by beef steers. (ncsu.edu)
  • What effect does feeding increased amounts of corn silage have on beef cattle performance and system-wide efficiency? (sdstate.edu)
  • Today, Scott, Brad, and Greg Foote continue their father's legacy of raising quality beef. (agswag.com)
  • The optimum silage composition can vary depending on the type of cattle it's fed to and on the other components of the ration. (wisc.edu)
  • In situations where immature or drought-stressed corn is being harvested, there is potential for high nitrate concentrations in the silage. (farmprogress.com)
  • Although it is more critical with dry corn silage, we recommend adding a reputable lactic acid-producing inoculant each year to reduce spoilage risk as much as possible and give the best opportunity for stable silage. (vitaplus.com)
  • Finally, consider switching from an inoculant to a buffered organic acid like Silage SAVOR ® Dry or Silage SAVOR ® Plus Liquid . (kemin.com)
  • Harvest of wheat and other small grain silages comes at a time when corn silage supplies usually are depleted. (missouri.edu)
  • However, the nutritive value of these small grain silages varied significantly due to stage at which they were harvested. (thecattlesite.com)
  • It is important to watch manure starch levels and molds, yeasts, and mycotoxins in this year's corn silage. (vitaplus.com)
  • These packing and cutting conditions can help achieve a successful ensiling process, thus potentially reducing the likelihood of mycotoxins being produced in the silage. (rea-hybrids.com)
  • Some Missouri cattle feeders are cutting wheat for silage then planting the field with corn silage or grain sorghum to produce a large tonnage of feed per acre. (missouri.edu)
  • Also, wheat silage can be a hedge against drought because it matures before the dry summer months. (missouri.edu)
  • Compare that with the 1.5 to 2.3 pounds gained daily by those fed wheat silage rations. (missouri.edu)
  • That was the goal of a 2014 study led by Dr. Wenwei Xu, AgriLife Research corn breeder in Lubbock, and Thomas Marek, AgriLife Research irrigation engineer in Amarillo, and contributed to by Texas Tech University graduate students Karl Brauer and Traci Bland, which showed the biggest factor in corn silage quality was water. (agfax.com)
  • Overall, the study showed that irrigating at 100 percent of evapotranspiration, or ET, provided no yield or quality advantages over 75 percent ET irrigation, so essentially can be viewed as a "waste," Brauer said. (agfax.com)
  • The timing of environmental stress during the development of the corn plant is also important. (pioneer.com)
  • This is a tricky question due to the correlation between plant population and silage yield. (hayandforage.com)
  • As the plant matures, the yield of dry matter per acre increases, but the quality decreases. (missouri.edu)
  • Whole-plant (silage) plots were harvested using a tractor driven, three-point mounted one-row chopper. (wisc.edu)
  • One row was analyzed for whole plant yield and quality. (wisc.edu)
  • Genetically modified (GM) corn products respond better to higher plant densities than conventional corn varieties and should be considered in product selection. (lewishybrids.com)
  • This can helpful in providing an idea as to when to run plant moisture samples. (ziskapp.com)
  • Plant stay green and quality characteristics are also important factors in product selection. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Plant at densities 10 to 20% greater than corn densities used for grain production. (stewartseeds.com)
  • Delayed planting of a full season corn product may cause higher plant height. (stewartseeds.com)
  • On our prevent plant acres we grew sorghum-sudan grass (instead of field corn) and will be chopping it and feeding it to our cattle. (cultivateconnections.org)
  • Thus, the sorghum-sudan grass we planted on some of our prevent plant acres will be chopped instead of corn. (cultivateconnections.org)
  • Yield is about one ton per acre of silage for each harvested foot of earless corn plant (not counting the tassel). (unl.edu)
  • The 2020 corn grain trial results have recently been posted and the 2020 corn silage trial results will be posted soon. (umn.edu)
  • 2003) has become a focal point for corn silage hybrid-performance trials and hybrid-breeding programs in academia and the seed-corn industry (Lauer et al. (extension.org)
  • From planting to feeding, there is a lot to consider when it comes to growing, and keeping a high quality silage. (realagriculture.com)
  • Full season corn products can be planted in the same planting window as corn planted for grain. (stewartseeds.com)
  • INDIANAPOLIS, October 3, 2022 - Silage corn is maturing quickly despite a later planting window. (brevant.com)