Corn Silage

Practical Corn Silage Harvest and Storage Guide for Cattle Producers (UK Factsheet ID-275). This publication contains information related to the following:

1. Estimating Silage Yield and Standing Corn Value (see page 2)
2. Sizing Silo Storage Structures (see page 7)
3. Determining When to Harvest Corn Silage (see page 3)
4. Chop length and Kernel Processor Settings (see page 9)

5. Managing Storage Structures at Harvest Time (see page 9)
6. Are Oxygen Barrier Films for Covering Silage Worth (see page 10)
7. Important Steps during the Silage Fermentation Process (see page 12)
8. Fermentation Analysis of Silages (see page 13)
9. Use of Silage Inoculants – Are They Worth the Money? (see page 14)

10. Managing Silage Storage at Time of Feeding (see page 15)

Additional articles related to Corn Silage:

• Bunker Silo and Drive-Over Silage Pile Management
• Increase Milk Production with Appropriate Kernel Processor Settings
• Reminders for Corn Silage Chopping Time
• Tips for Harvesting and Storing High Quality Corn Silage

• Common Questions Regarding Aflatoxin in Corn Grain and Silage
• Drought Impact on Corn Yields

Dealing with Forage Shortages

• Dealing with the Drought- Considerations for Extending Forage Supplies for the Dairy Herd
• Developing Plans to Deal with Late Harvested Forages
• Forage Considerations when Lack of Rainfall Has Resulted in a Forage Shortfall or Corn Silage Needs to Be Chopped Early
• Higher Commodity Prices, Forage Shortages, Lower Energy Corn Silage —Now What Do We Do?

 Determining Forage Needs

• Forage Acreage Needed to Support a Dairy Operation Determined by Yield and Quality of the Forages Harvested
• Planning the Yearly Forage and Commodity Needs for a Dairy Herd

 Grazing Management

• Manage Your Grazing System for Optimum Dairy Cow Performance
• Pasture for Dairy Cattle: Challenges and Opportunities

 Importance of Forage Quality

• Decisions Related to Your Forage Program Impact Profit on a Dairy
• Reading a Forage Analysis Report
• Spring Forage Decisions Affect Dairy Profits for the Upcoming Year

Manure Management

• Use Dairy Manure Nutrients Wisely

Purchasing Hay

• Considerations When Purchasing Hay for the Dairy Milking Herd
• Forage Myths Are Costly: Forage Quality Impacts Your Bottom Line

 Sampling Forages

• Correctly Collect Silage/Forage Samples for Nutrient Analysis
• Which Numbers on a Forage Analysis Are the Most Important To Manage Your Dairy Cows’ Feeding Program?