For assistance on how to sample a corn field for nitrate levels, the Iowa Beef Center also has this article. An article on Nitrate Toxicity and Testing from the Iowa Beef Center can be found here. The potential for high nitrate silage can be made even worse if drought-stressed silage is harvested within 10 days of a rainfall event, since the rain increases crop uptake of soil nitrogen. However, drought-stressed corn can accumulate nitrates in the lower part of the stalk, thus increasing the potential for nitrate poisoning, particularly in older livestock on lower-energy rations. Generally, a cutting height of 4 to 6 inches is recommended for corn silage, as it maximizes silage yield and quality. Directions for using a microwave oven are included in the following publication. A short article from the University of Wisconsin on whole plant moisture variability in the field, desired moisture for various storage structures, and procedures for moisture determination of corn silage can be found here. A general guideline is to begin moisture testing when the milkline is 1/4 of the way down the kernel for horizontal silos or bunkers, and 1/2 of the way down the kernel for vertical silos. Instead, kernel milkline should be used as an indicator of when to collect the first silage samples for moisture testing. But due to variability among hybrids and growing conditions, it is necessary to measure silage moisture using a commercial forage moisture tester or microwave oven rather than simply estimating it from the kernel milkline. ![]() Optimum silage moisture at harvest ranges from 50-60% for upright oxygen-limiting silos, 60-65% for upright stave silos, 60-70% for bags, and 65-70% for bunkers.Īs a forage crop, corn generally reaches maximum yield and quality around 50% kernel milkline development or R5.5. In addition, dry silage does not pack as well, increasing the potential for air pockets and mold. If silage is too dry, it has lower digestibility because of harder kernels and more lignified stover. Silage that is too wet when harvested may not ferment properly and can lose nutrients through seepage. Understanding proper harvest management and timing is critical for producing high-quality corn silage. Corn is a high yielding, high energy, low protein forage that is commonly used for growing and finishing beef cattle, in cow-calf production systems, for growing dairy heifers, and for lactating dairy cows. However, harvest has started early in some droughty areas with light soils. Historically, corn silage harvest starts within the next two weeks. For these calculations, see the demonstration video starting at minute 7:58. Silos that have been filled, fed from, but not emptied, and then filled again, can use.See the demonstration video explaining these calculations, starting at minute 3:55.Convert to grain equivalents using FSA conversion factors:.Convert tons DM to 65% moisture by dividing by 0.35 = 104/0.35 = 297 tons of wet silage.Scroll down, the tool reports 137 tons dry matter (DM) for the filled silo and 33 tons DM removed for a top unloading silo, leaving 137 – 33 = 104 tons DM inventory on January 15, 2020.Enter 20 ft diameter, a filled height of 55 ft and a height of feed left in silo of 35 ft.On January 15, 2020, the top 20 ft had been removed, so the silo had 35 ft remaining. ![]() Corn silage is 7.94 bu/ton (at 65% moisture) and 4.08 bu/ton (at 65% moisture) for oatlage.Įxample: Determine the tons of wet silage for a 20 ft X 60 ft silo filled to a settled depth of 55’. Step 4: Multiply by the FSA conversion factor. Step 3: Divide by 0.35 to convert silage tons of dry matter to standard 65% moisture. Step 2: Scroll down to the bottom of the sheet where it gives the estimated the tons of silage remaining as tons of dry matter (DM) for either a top loading or bottom loading silo. Step 1: In the yellow cells, enter the silo diameter, the filled height, and the height of feed left on January 15 (other values can be left at default levels). This tool helps a farmer calculate the tons of silage in an upright silo and convert it to its grain equivalent for including in 2019 production for determining CFAP payments.īegin by downloading the Tower Capacity Silo spreadsheet. Kevin Jarek, Liz Binversie, Bill Halfman, Paul Mitchell
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