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Corn Silage Production

Corn Silage Production. Dr. Chad Lee Grain Crops Extension Specialist University of Kentucky. Drought-Stressed Corn: Silage is an Option. Drought-stressed corn that is unlikely to resume growth should be ensiled. 85 to 100% of the normal net energy content. May contain more crude protein.

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Corn Silage Production

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  1. Corn Silage Production Dr. Chad Lee Grain Crops Extension Specialist University of Kentucky

  2. Drought-Stressed Corn: Silage is an Option • Drought-stressed corn that is unlikely to resume growth should be ensiled. • 85 to 100% of the normal net energy content. • May contain more crude protein. • May contain high nitrate concentrations, especially in the lower third of the plant. • Do not feed until at least 3 weeks after the silo has been filled.

  3. Corn Silage: Nitrate Caution

  4. 1/2 3/4 Corn Silage Harvesting • Milk line is ½ to ¾ down the kernel. • Leaves above the ear should be mostly green. • Dry matter content should be near 35%, slightly less for storage in bunkers, trenches, or stacks. • Silage should be chopped into lengths of approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch.

  5. Corn Silage Storage • Any structure that preserves the green and moist forage in the absence of air and water. • Silo • Bunker • Bags

  6. [ ] fresh wt – final wt. % moisture = X 100 fresh wt Corn Silage Moisture: Microwave Test • Collect a representative sample of fresh plants. • Chop the plants in 1 to 2 inch pieces. • Weight a sample (about 3 to 4 oz or 100 g) • Spread the sample uniformly and thinly over a microwave safe dish and place in oven. • Heat for 1 to 2 minutes and weigh. Heat for 30 seconds and reweigh. Repeat until two weight recordings are similar. If the sample chars, use the previous weight. • Calculate the percent moisture.

  7. Corn Silage Moisture: Grab Test Squeeze a handful of green chop as tightly as possible for 90 seconds to make a forage ball.

  8. Corn Silage: Production • Planting Date • April 1 to May 1 in western Kentucky • April 15 to May 15 in eastern and central KY • Soil temperatures should be above 50oF at a 2-inch depth for 3 or 4 days • Planting Depth • 1 ½ - 2 inches (depending on moisture and temp)

  9. Corn Silage: Production • Planting Population • 24,000 to 30,000 seeds/acre • increase of 2,000 seeds/acre over grain corn • Row Width • 30 inches • Fertility • Follow AGR-1: Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations

  10. Corn Silage vs. Grain Production • Increase plant populations by about 2,000 seeds/A compared to grain corn. • Add more pounds of potash per acre compared to grain corn (see AGR-1). • Use a full- to late-season, high grain producing hybrid.

  11. Silo Gases: Caution • Lethal gases - greatest danger is between 12 to 72 hours after filling. • Run the blower. • Stay out of the silo for at least one week after filling. • Keep doors closed between silos and barns. Any experience of the slightest throat irritation or coughing requires immediate medical attention.

  12. Nutrient Sampling for Feed Quality • Collect a couple handfuls of each load of silage that is being unloaded. • Keep the samples out of sunlight. • Mix the samples together. • Keep refrigerated until sent off for analysis.

  13. Silage Publications • AGR-79: Producing corn for grain and silage • ID-139: A comprehensive guide to corn management • AGR-1: Lime and fertilizer recommendations • AEU-41: Temporary silage storage • ID-86: Using drought-stressed corn: harvesting, storage, feeding, pricing

  14. Corn Hybrid Types • Dual-Purpose • Normal corn hybrids used for grain and/or silage • NutriDense • Slightly higher oil and protein content in the kernel • Waxy • 100% amylopectin (believed to be more digestible) • Leafy • Have more leaves above the ear than normal hybrids • BMR • Lower lignin content than normal corn, making it more digestible

  15. Four hybrids Dual Purpose Nutri-Dense Waxy Leafy Three Populations 22,000 27,500 33,000 Two N Fertility Levels AGR-1 Yield Goal No-Till Silage Project

  16. Hybrid effect on yield a a a b

  17. Corn YieldsLexington, 2003 Note: Interactions between population, fertility and replication prevent statistical comparison of hybrids for silage yield.

  18. Corn YieldsLexington, 2003 Note: Interactions between population, fertility and replication prevent statistical comparison of hybrids.

  19. No-Till Silage • Data is being analyzed for second year of research.

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