Many influences – precipitation, fertility, timing, radiation, heat – can affect the nutritional quality of corn grown for silage. These variables have great potential to impact yields, starch content and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD). This can make it difficult to pinpoint what to expect come harvest.
 
Moisture and timing
Moisture is one of the most – if not the most – influential environmental factors. The amount of moisture corn silage receives often explains the wide range of differences in hybrid performance.
Research indicates weather conditions before silking have a strong influence on plant height, yield and fiber digestibility, while post-silking conditions affect grain yields, starch deposition and total dry matter digestibility.
In general, moisture stress or dry conditions during stalk development may enhance fiber digestibility. In contrast, wet conditions during this stage (particularly if combined with some heat) may decrease fiber digestibility.
The reason: If excess moisture is present during the vegetative growth stages of corn, growers may see more lignification with plant structure development and consequently more fiber. If that fibrous material absorbs a lot of moisture and heat, data shows that typically the silage crop becomes less digestible. Although the tradeoff could be that the crop produces additional tonnage.
Moisture levels can affect energy levels of the plant that are vital for successful ration formulation. Receiving moisture post-flowering or toward the latter stages of corn development will increase starch concentrations within the grain portion of the plant. Growers may notice the lack of good precipitation before and during flowering can produce decreased final energy levels by observations of depressed kernel development or the smaller size of kernels on the cob.
 
Go for the gold
The plant breeder’s efforts for improved corn genetics can’t completely alleviate environmental stressors. However, in a good year elite hybrids with good agronomic strengths and yield potential have the opportunity to excel.
Growers will want to select the best maturity for their particular growing area. When planting for silage instead of grain, growers typically plant a hybrid that is about five to 10 days longer in relative maturity.
Some growers may even opt to incorporate a shorter relative maturity product into their choice of hybrid maturity selections if they’re working with custom harvesters as they sometimes tend to harvest sooner than growers might themselves.
 
Finishing strong
Even if growers could do the impossible – raise 100-percent uniform silage – feed quality still would be an issue. After growers spend a whole season tending the crop, it’s just as important they consider harvest timing and preservation of silage quality.
Proper harvest and storage management are critical for achieving maximum dairy performance from forages. This may include selecting the best harvest date, using a kernel processor at harvest, using the appropriate weight with packing equipment and using an inoculant product.
Storage management is another key component. Growers should cover full bunkers or completed piles quickly, making sure storage structures seal tightly. Manage the silage face by removing at least 3 to 4 inches of forage per day during cool times of the year and 6 to 12 inches per day during warmer times. This can help reduce dry matter losses.
The use of well-researched inoculants on forages that are properly harvested and stored in silos results in a more efficient fermentation in producing: 1) increased dry matter tonnage inventory, 2) improved feedout and bunklife properties, and 3) improved fiber digestibility.

Plain and simple – each growing season is different. Even if you’ve planted a corn hybrid for silage and gotten consistent results for several years, it’s important to realize weather and environmental conditions in a given year may affect this year’s performance.

Many influences – precipitation, fertility, timing, radiation, heat – can affect the nutritional quality of corn grown for silage. These variables have great potential to impact yields, starch content and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD). This can make it difficult to pinpoint what to expect come harvest. 

Moisture and timing
Moisture is one of the most – if not the most – influential environmental factors. The amount of moisture corn silage receives often explains the wide range of differences in hybrid performance. Research indicates weather conditions before silking have a strong influence on plant height, yield and fiber digestibility, while post-silking conditions affect grain yields, starch deposition and total dry matter digestibility. In general, moisture stress or dry conditions during stalk development may enhance fiber digestibility.

In contrast, wet conditions during this stage (particularly if combined with some heat) may decrease fiber digestibility.  The reason: If excess moisture is present during the vegetative growth stages of corn, growers may see more lignification with plant structure development and consequently more fiber. If that fibrous material absorbs a lot of moisture and heat, data shows that typically the silage crop becomes less digestible. Although the tradeoff could be that the crop produces additional tonnage.

Moisture levels can affect energy levels of the plant that are vital for successful ration formulation. Receiving moisture post-flowering or toward the latter stages of corn development will increase starch concentrations within the grain portion of the plant. Growers may notice the lack of good precipitation before and during flowering can produce decreased final energy levels by observations of depressed kernel development or the smaller size of kernels on the cob. 

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Go for the gold
The plant breeder’s efforts for improved corn genetics can’t completely alleviate environmental stressors. However, in a good year elite hybrids with good agronomic strengths and yield potential have the opportunity to excel. Growers will want to select the best maturity for their particular growing area.

When planting for silage instead of grain, growers typically plant a hybrid that is about five to 10 days longer in relative maturity.  Some growers may even opt to incorporate a shorter relative maturity product into their choice of hybrid maturity selections if they’re working with custom harvesters as they sometimes tend to harvest sooner than growers might themselves.

Finishing strong
Even if growers could do the impossible – raise 100-percent uniform silage – feed quality still would be an issue. After growers spend a whole season tending the crop, it’s just as important they consider harvest timing and preservation of silage quality.

Proper harvest and storage management are critical for achieving maximum dairy performance from forages. This may include selecting the best harvest date, using a kernel processor at harvest, using the appropriate weight with packing equipment and using an inoculant produc

Storage management is another key component. Growers should cover full bunkers or completed piles quickly, making sure storage structures seal tightly. Manage the silage face by removing at least 3 to 4 inches of forage per day during cool times of the year and 6 to 12 inches per day during warmer times. This can help reduce dry matter losses.

The use of well-researched inoculants on forages that are properly harvested and stored in silos results in a more efficient fermentation in producing:

1. increased dry matter tonnage inventory

2. improved feedout and bunklife properties

3. improved fiber digestibility  FG

—From Pioneer Hi-Bred International

Dann Bolinger is a dairy specialist with Pioneer Hi-Bred. He is based in Perrington, Michigan.