Silage yields are soaring, but what is happening to the soil left behind?

We’ve all seen it. Top-layer spoilage – a rind of discolored, decomposing feed often laden with yeasts, molds and mycotoxins on the top of your silage bunker or pile.

Krull identified several key drivers of corn silage yield and quality, including management, environment and genetics. Poor management will not compensate for poor genetics or adverse weather conditions and vice versa.

As spring progresses to summer, the percentage of haylage and small grains in TMR often increases to stretch corn silage inventories or to dilute corn silage if the quality isn’t as good as we had hoped.

Properly ensiled forages can be stored for extended periods of time and support the performance and health of your herd. Alternatively, you could be dealing with spoilage, plummeting palatability and a rising feed bill.