While it might seem like corn silage harvest is far off, the countdown to silage season is only a few weeks away. With more producers growing their own feed this year, it’s important to ensure corn silage is harvested correctly to maximize quality and quantity.
The University of Kentucky Dairy Extension team provides these 6 tips to remember before harvesting corn silage this year:
1. The moisture of the corn plant determines time to harvest. Harvest at 62%-65% moisture (35%-38% dry matter) Choppers without kernel processors should be harvested a little wetter, usually at 32%-35% dry matter, to allow breakage of corn kernels.
2. Healthy corn plants dry down 0.5-1.0%/day.
3. Corn is generally harvested 40-45 days post-tasseling.
4. Adjust rollers on kernel processors so that no more than 2 or 3 half or whole kernels of corn (cob in 8 pieces) are found in a chopped sample contained in a 32 oz. cup. Spacing between rollers should be such that a dime will not fit between the rollers.
5. For bunkers and piles, pack the chopped silage with a tractor weighing 800 times the number of wet tons delivered per hour at a speed of 1.5-2.5 mph.
6. Cover top of uprights, piles, and bunkers with plastic. For bunkers, line bunker sides with plastic with extra plastic overlapping the walls. Once filled, use the extra plastic to cover part of the top closest to the walls to prevent water seeping under the top cover of plastic and causing spoilage.
For more on corn silage harvest, read:
When is the Time Right to Harvest Corn Silage?
