Corn Silage Production (Animal Nutrition)

1. Corn Silage Production www.RCVetS.com

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 % Nitrate (NO 3 ) in Dry Matter Feeding Instructions 0.0 – 0.44% Safe to feed. 0.44 – 0.88% Limit to 50% of total dry ration for pregnant animals. 0.88 – 1.50% Limit to 25% of total dry ration. Avoid feeding pregnant animals. Over 1.50% Toxic. Do not feed. At high enough concentrations, nitrates are poisonous to cattle. The ensiling process will decrease nitrates by 30 to 50%.

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. 1/2 3/4

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

6. 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. % moisture = fresh wt – final wt. fresh wt X 100 [ ]

7. Corn Silage Moisture: Grab Test Condition of forage ball Approx. Dry Matter Content Holds shape and there is considerable free juice Below 30% Holds shape but very little free juice 25 to 30% Falls apart slowly and there is no free juice 30 to 40% Ball falls apart rapidly Above 40% 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 50 o F 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. No-Till Silage Project Four hybrids Dual Purpose Nutri-Dense Waxy Leafy Three Populations 22,000 27,500 33,000 Two N Fertility Levels AGR-1 Yield Goal

16. Hybrid effect on yield a a a b

17. N Rate Crude Protein (lbs/acre) (%) Green Chop Silage 120 7.43b 7.71b 200 7.81a 8.17a LSD (0.05) 0.31 0.35

18. Corn Yields Lexington, 2003 Hybrid Type Silage Yield (Tons/A) Ear:Stover (Ratio) ES112 Dual Purpose 22.1 0.68 a ES213ND Nutri-Dense 23.0 0.67 a F2F797 Leafy (TMF) 24.6 0.39 a 8464wx Waxy 15.9 0.66 a Note: Interactions between population, fertility and replication prevent statistical comparison of hybrids for silage yield.

19. Corn Yields Lexington, 2003 Hybrid Type Silage Yield (Tons/A) Grain Yield (Bu/A) ES112 Dual Purpose 22.1 241.4 ES213ND Nutri-Dense 23.0 233.2 F2F797 Leafy (TMF) 24.6 203.5 8464wx Waxy 15.9 194.1 Note: Interactions between population, fertility and replication prevent statistical comparison of hybrids.

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