How to maximize BMR corn silage yields

Koepke Farms Inc., Oconomowoc, Wis., has been feeding brown midrib corn silage since 2004. During a recent webinar hosted by Dairy Herd Management, John Koepke, who operates the farm in partnership with his dad Jim and his uncles Alan and David, offered this advice for managing the plants during the growing season:

• Fertilize completely.
• Manage water effectively. BMR corn doesn’t do well on poorly drained soils, Koepke says, so they use drain tile on poorly drained soils and irrigation in other situations.
• Scout for pests and spray on time for both weeds and insects, if needed.

“All of that effective management usually pays off in significant yield,” Koepke says.

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