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  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    “CAN” Nitrogen-Fixation Products Improve Silage Quality?

    Silage

    As quickly as we close the book on the 2022 season, we start the next chapter of 2023.

    This is referred to as “Constant and Never-ending Improvement” (CANI) by Tony Robbins — author, coach and motivational speaker. His CANI technique is about making consistent, small changes in your life that are often more effective than trying to change everything at once. I believe most farmers embody this spirit of growth and optimism.

    As we sharpen the pencil on our 2023 story, it’s beneficial to review observations from the 2022 growing season. One of the most expensive components in livestock feed is supplemental protein. Because I hope to find ways beyond plant genetics to help improve plant protein, I’m taking a closer look at nitrogen-fixation products.

    Forage quality is complex and has a lot to do with a combination of plant genetics x soil fertility x environment. In addition to the seed treatment trials conducted at Latham’s Premier Agronomy Center in Alexander, I did a small experiment with Envita in a small corn silage trial in Ellsworth, Wisc. I’m just learning about these nitrogen-fixation products on corn. I’m sharing my observations because I found them interesting.

    I sprayed Envita in a foliar form on healthy plants around tassel time. After spraying, moisture was limited until corn silage harvest time. The following photos help show the harvest results.

    Corey Photos

    Corn Silage Yield Observations

    LH 5389 + Envita = 7.7 more harvest tons, and 3 more dry matter (DM) tons versus the check with no difference in quality.

    There is clearly a visual difference in ear size, so I’m curious to learn more about these types of nitrogen-fixation products. NOTE: This research was done only one year in one location. It will be interesting to see what type of yield response we see in subsequent years and at different locations. My hypothesis is Envita helped the silage plant better handle stress from dry conditions, but I need to test it further. There is so much to be learned!

    What types of experiments do you plan to conduct on your farm in 2023?

    Check out past articles for tips on conducting small scale, on-farm experiments:

    • Try Something New
    • Eight Inches Can Be a Yield Barrier
    • Set Up New Seeding for Success

    Did you enjoy this article? We want to (TECH)talk with you! Sign up for our newsletter to receive agronomy articles in your inbox! We’ll talk soon.

    Webspec Admin

    December 21, 2022
    Corn Silage, Crop, General
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    3 Important Factors to Evaluate Corn Silage

    Silage
    Corey Headshot PNG
    Core Catt, Forage Product Manager

    “Price is what you pay, but value is what you get.”

    This adage holds true for corn silage research, too. That’s why Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds builds knowledge from previous years of corn silage research.

    Latham Seeds has several locations across the Midwest where we evaluate corn silage grain yield plus these three important factors:

    1. Economic impact to the livestock producers. Corn silage and alfalfa are more complex than cash grain crops as we look for high value in the fields and at the feed bunk. Research continually refines the impacts on beef and dairy on tonnage, fiber digestibility and starch digestibility.

    Tonnage Fiber Digestability

    • Tonnage. Corn silage dry matter is comprised of about 50% grain
      and 50% stover. Modern dual-purpose hybrid genetics tend to have a lot of grain yield capacity, which contributes favorably to overall yield. Additionally, we look for hybrids that are robust in plant structure to provide additional tonnage benefits.
    • Economic Benefit to yield. Corn silage price per ton at 65% whole-plant moisture (WPM) is about 10 times the market price of corn. At $6 per bushel for corn, that’s $60 per ton for corn silage. There are many pricing variations. Depending on the growing season and location, tonnage can range from 20 to more than 30 tons per acre. A typical acre will gross $1,200 to $1,800 per
      acre. Truly, every ton counts.
    • Starch digestibility. This can be a bit complex, which is why most seed companies don’t consider this factor. This is a high priority at Latham Seeds as starch is 50% of the plant’s dry matter. Indeed, it’s complex. When the plant stores starch in the kernel, there is a relationship between genetics, growing season and fertility. Drought, years with low heat units and soils with low fertility can contribute to lighter test weights, but starch tends to be more digestible vs. heavy test weights. Our goal is to index our hybrids over multiple years and multiple environments to help maximize the energy from every molecule of starch, so it doesn’t pass unused through the animal in manure.

    Economic Benefit to Starch Digestibility. There is a lot of research about starch digestibility in beef and dairy. Less than 3% fecal starch is optimum. A study at University of Pennsylvania revealed a 0.72 pounds of milk/day decrease for every 1% increase of fecal starch. This equate to about $65,000 annually for a 1,000-cow dairy.

    Soft and Hard Starch

    • Fiber Digestibility. Imagine the structure a corn plant must have to keep the plant upright and stand through high winds. The base of the corn plant contains a high amount of lignin, a structural component that keeps the plant upright. We can measure how much is in the corn silage, as well how much is digestible. The goal is to have as much as the fiber digestible as possible. Generally, a cow that consumes more and uses more of what is consumed is more productive. Some studies show that cows that use more of what is consumed also produce less manure.

    Economic Benefit to Fiber Digestibility. Generally, every point increase in fiber digestibility on a feed report is neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD). A dairy cow can produce up to one-half pound more milk per day. When you factor that across 1,000 cows in a dairy for 365 days, having 1 point better digestion can have an economic impact of approximately $45,000 per year!

    In review, consider factors beyond raw grain yield when evaluating corn silage hybrids. Selecting hybrids that have demonstrated better digestibility can be helpful to a livestock producer’s bottom line. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance as you’re writing early orders.

    Webspec Admin

    September 7, 2022
    Corn Silage, Crop, From the Field, General, Tech Tuesday
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    Harvest Corn Silage at Optimal Milkline to Add to Your Bottom Line

    Corey catt kernel graphic flat

    Corn silage season is approaching quickly, so it’s a good time to review basics like how to determine when to harvest.

    As the kernel matures from the dented cap, the milkline moves toward the kernel tip where it attaches to the cob. Harvesting at 50% milkline generally achieves approximately 65% whole-plant moisture. Optimal harvest for bunks/bags is 65 to 70% whole-plant moisture, or one-half to one-fourth milkline. Optimal harvest for stave upright silos is 63 to 65% whole-plant moisture, or three-fourths to one-half milkline.

    Corey catt kernel graphic flat

    Think of the kernel as a sponge. As the milkline develops, the kernel absorbs more moisture from the chopped residue. If you harvest silage corn that is too wet, juicing can occur. Inadequate fermentation and mold development also may result. It is advantageous to do a formal moisture check using a koster crop tester, for example.

    One of the biggest drivers for milkline development is weather. Moisture, fertility, heat and plant health are four big drivers affecting milk line movement. When the plant is at full photosynthetic capacity, the corn silage whole-plant moisture can decline daily from 0.5 to one percent. Photosynthetic activity slows when the weather is cold, wet or cloudy, causing the corn plant to mature slower. Look at the forecast as harvest approaches because many changes can occur in five days.

    Another way to improve the quality of corn silage is by raising the chopping height as most lignin accumulates in the lower portion of the stalk. Lignin is the structural component that helps plants stand. It’s a tradeoff to find the correct cutting height to maximize forage quality and to capture the most tonnage.

    Some forage producers increase cutting height to help reduce moisture, so they can get started earlier. Raising the chop height 12 inches in a Penn State study left about 0.6 ton in the field but forage quality improved. Improved quality produces more milk for dairy farmers!

    If you have any questions feel free to reach out at coreyc@lathamseeds.com.

    Webspec Admin

    August 25, 2022
    Corn Silage, Crop, Fall, General, Season, Summer, Tech Tuesday
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    Try Something New!

    Nebraska Cornfield
    Phil Long, Precision Agronomy Specialist
    Precision Agronomy Advisor, Phil Long

    A common theme you will hear when listening to national corn/soybean contest winners is they always use a few acres to try something new. Latham’s Forage Products Manager, Corey Catt, has written numerous articles, encouraging growers to use a few acres to experiment on their own farms with products, seeding rates and management practices.

    While third-party research plays an important role in helping us choose seed products, it’s also important to conduct your own on-farm research. Here are a few ideas to try this growing season. If you have acres that struggle with Sudden Death Syndrome, try treating a few soybean units with Latham® SoyShieldTM Plus with Saltro and run a side-by-side comparison. Another idea is to apply sulfur to soybeans and measure your results. Experiment on a few corn acres with Xyway® 3D in-furrow fungicide or try a phosphorus-enhancer, such as Encompass from TALC USA.

    You could create quite a list of new products, different tillage/planting practices, in furrow fertilizers, or in-season practices that you could try to break your farm’s yield plateau. Here are some tips to make the most of your on-farm research efforts:

    1. Use a decent farm, or part of a decent farm, to do your research. Use a farm that has soil types and drainage/topography characteristics that represent a lot of your acres. Don’t pick the less desirable ground in terms of fertility. If pH, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), levels are wacky, you won’t learn much when trying a new in-furrow treatment, biological or fungicide. Basic needs must be taken care of before you can add more yield.
    2. Keep it short and simple (K.I.S.S.). Weather and soil types cause enough variation in any research that you don’t need to add complexity. Try one thing at time, so you’re not adding multiple factors into the equation. For example, run a planter pass with Xyway mixed in your starter fertilizer and then shut it off the next pass. Do these two “treatments” at least three more times across your field to reduce the influence of soil types on your results.
    3. Garbage in, garbage out. Make sure your monitors/globes/planting equipment have the latest update, so you can capture the data when it’s go time. Layout your research, so your combine can capture it. This is very important! For example, if you harvest with an 8-row head, change “treatments” on 20-foot increments.

    Mapping what you do this spring will allow you to analyze it next fall. You will want to look at how that new product did in your heavy soils, lighter soils and whether it is worth expanding on more acres next year. Every year is different, so keep weather in mind as it is usually the #1 influencing factor. Start small to find out what works best on your farm. I am happy to help you figure out what new thing to try on a few acres. Give me a call and we can chat more about it at: 641-692-0370.

    Phil Long

    April 21, 2022
    Agronomics, Alfalfa, Corn, Corn Silage, Cover Crops, Crop, Disease, Emergence, Fertility, Fungicide, General, Precision Ag, Season, Seed Treatment, Soil, Soybeans, Spring
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    More Tonnage on Less Acres… What’s Your Blueprint?

    Silage

    Striving for tonnage and quality has never been more important than now with high cost of inputs and high commodity prices. More tonnage on less acres could mean more #2 yellow at a good price. Additionally, maximizing quality means more protein, more starch, more digestibility and greater feed efficiency.

    What’s your blueprint to success for 2022? Here are a few things to consider:

    Corey arrow graphic

    Hybrid Selection for Corn Silage: Review of Latham’s 2021 Wisconsin corn silage trials results = WOW.  This summary reveals the incredible tonnage some of our hybrids showed in the trials, blowing past the competition. We have many winning dual-purpose hybrids highlighted in our product guide, as well as our silage specific leafy hybrids. Check out these top-performing Latham® hybrid product numbers: 4937, 5245, 5742, 5965, 6285, 6477. Access to tonnage starts with hybrids that have historically had evidence of strong, known performance.  Using trusted genetics has never been more important.

    Seed Placement: Latham Seeds’ product guide provides specific placement details to help you achieve the best performance. Key in on the plant population for soil type, especially with the leafy hybrids. Leafy hybrids are massive plants, so they require a lot of in-row room to grow. To maximize leafy tonnage and starch, ensure proper seed depth. It’s important to promote the development of a superior nodal root system to hold up the large plant, as well as to bring in essential water and nutrients.

    Nutrients: With a high premium on nitrogen, use in-season tissue and soil testing to determine whether the plant needs supplemental nutrition. Additionally, think about booking fungicides early to make sure you have them. High input investment coupled with high value commodity means many farmers will protect the plant with fungicides, so book early to ensure you have access to them! It seems a lot of helpful inputs are short supply, and fungicides like Headline AMP® have shown to produce 2 to 3 more tons/acre average. This is a very valuable consideration. When corn is $6/bushel, corn silage is about $60/ton.  Adding 2 or 3 tons is about $120-$160/acre. A healthy corn plant adds more quality, as well as helps mitigate the expensive risk of mold and mycotoxins.

    Know and Maximize Manure and Alfalfa Credits: The adage “think outside the box” recommends that we think freely and openly, so that we’re not bound by old, nonfunctional, or limiting rules or practices. While I believe there is a time and a place for this type of thinking, today I’m suggesting that we think “inside the box.” We can leverage what we already have.

    What do you have on hand that can help reduce your expenses and minimize financial exposure?

    Because the 2022 crop cycle is likely to set a record for the highest input investment crop, many farmers are scrutinizing every input. They’re leveraging what is on hand or readily available, so manure has become a highly sought-after resource. Manure also is proving to be effective. These manure credit charts give an idea of some “inside the box” considerations of nitrogen sources.

    Corey chart

    Additionally, corn planted on rotated alfalfa crop can yield as much as 20% more, especially in combination with manure. Applying manure requires some extra work and planning, here’s an online calculator to help you decide what manure is worth to your farm. Remember the intangibles. Manure provides the soil with needed nutrients, plus it unfolds a world of the living microbes.

    Every growing season starts with a custom tailored blueprint. Consider how powerful genetics and some “inside the box” thinking can help you create more tons from less acres this season!

     

    Webspec Admin

    March 16, 2022
    Agronomics, Corn Silage, Crop, Fungicide, General, Seed Treatment, Soil, Tech Tuesday
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    Start the Season Right by Planting the Right Genetics

    Wooden block with GOAL, PLAN and ACTION on table background

    With the 2022 planting season right around the corner, it’s time to focus on the one thing that will help you capture the most ROI in each field.

    Field-by-field product placement is key to maximizing yield – and in turn – profit. Research shows plant genetics account for a 20% difference in yield. This means you could raise 12 more bushels of soybeans and 40 more bushels of corn PER ACRE simply by paying closer attention to your crop placement.

    Below are three factors to consider when double-checking your crop placement for 2022:

    • Study Field x Field® Ratings. Look at the Field x Field Ratings in the Latham® Product Guide for corn and soybeans. These charts simplify where you should place hybrids and varieties. A “1” rating means it’s a great fit for a particular environment; a “3” rating means you should not plant that product if your field conditions match that description. Your Latham Dealer has seen most of our products in environments, so call him or her if you have additional questions about where to place a particular product.
    • Stick to the plan. If your seed dealer has provided you with a Field x Field plan, organize your seed shed so you can stick to the plan. Subscribers to Latham Seeds’ Data Forward® program receive a crop plan book, which you can keep in your planter tractor. It’s a good practice to double check that the right seed gets in the planter. If planting conditions change in a particular field, then take the time to move products. It will be worth an hour of your time to capture the extra $150 to 200 per acre in profit potential.
    • Match Genetics to Management. If a certain corn product is described as “likes high management,” then you should not place that product in a field with poor fertility levels. Your seed dealer may not know your fields’ fertility levels unless you share it. That information is critical for accurate product placement as some genetics can handle tough fertility situations and others will fall apart in those environments. Also make sure you aren’t overplanting or underplanting each hybrid. Look at the “suggested populations” in our Product Guide, as well as the “Ear Type” rating and our stress wheel poster. We want to help you capture yield!

    If you’re planting soybeans early or at the same time your planting corn, treat the seed with SoyShield® to protect it from early season fungal diseases. Seed treatment also gives seedings an early advantage. Even when using a quality seed treatment, plant fields with the heavy soils that remain wet and cold last or at least the soils have warmed. This will help your soybeans better ward off root diseases all season long.

    SoyShield Seed treatment infographic

    A successful 2022 crop year begins with having a plan and sticking to it! Take the time now to double-check that you properly matched plant genetics with soil conditions. Our dealers are also happy to talk through field placement as well. If you have further questions or want to chat with our agronomists call: 1.877.GO.LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).

    Phil Long

    February 9, 2022
    Agronomics, Alfalfa, Corn, Corn Silage, Cover Crops, Crop, Disease, Emergence, Fertility, General, Precision Ag, Seed Technology, Seed Treatment, Soil, Soybeans
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    What’s in a Feed Sample Report?

    Corn Silage Data 101Post-harvest is a time we find ourselves digging into the data. Harvest data that is! Corn silage data has several factors, and each livestock producer or nutritionist is different in which of those factors are most important. My main goal is to provide information needed to confidently compare hybrids for your spring crop plan.

    I have a Feed Report from one of our 2020 test plots with details on what each factor is telling us and how to apply that to product selections. For me, the top factors are: 1. Yield, 2. Starch Digestibility and 3. Fiber Digestibility. I’ve also appended the average ranges as typically reported by Dairyland Labs to help better understand the data.

    1. Yield: Yield froCorey silage table (004)m Latham® plots are measured in tons/acre and then adjusted to 70% whole plant moisture to remove the variability in results. Our goal here of course is higher, but there is a trade off on quantity per acre and quality per acre. This is where additional measures can come into play when making a final decision.
    2. Starch Digestibility: When it comes to starch content, high values are most desirable. Low prolamin zein aids in starch digestibility. An animal that absorbs more tends to result in less fecal starch (discarded nutrients). Research suggests a loss of .72 pounds of milk per head per day for every 1% of fecal starch. While I don’t have a standard set of results on the beef side, but the concept of unused nutrition can be thought of similarly in a beef operation. To optimize digestibility, choose the best hybrids, harvest at the correct time and ensile with good inoculant. Dairyland Labs reports averages of 32.61 for a starch metric.
    3. Fiber Digestibility: Fiber digestibility relates to how much the animal can consume. The lower the number, the more animals consume and the more output they produce. Ways to influence this metric include selecting flex ear hybrids, increasing chopping height and planting at the lower population range suggested for the hybrid. Dairyland Lab reports averages of 39.68, with the 90% range falling between 33.43 and 49.2.

    The rest of the feed sample report provides evidence to help further form an accurate comparison. Secondary factors I focus on include: Milk/Ton, Beef/Ton and Milk/Acre.

    1. Milk/Ton: Milk per ton is an estimate of the milk production from a ton of silage. It’s reported as an index that combines Crude Protein, Neutral-Detergent Fiber (and NDFD30), Starch, Ash and Fat. The goal is a higher number and Dairyland Labs reports averages of 3415.
    2. Beef/Ton: is an estimate of beef yield per ton of feedstuff. It’s reported as an Index combining NDFD30, Starch, CP, Neutral-Detergent Fiber, Fat and Ash.
    3. Milk/Acre: Milk per acre simply multiplies the milk per ton by the yield per acre. It’s reported as an index combining Crude Protein, Neutral-Detergent Fiber, NDFD30, Starch, Ash, Fat and Dry Matter Tons

    Your Latham representative is ready to work together to achieve more yield in the field for better production at the bunk next season. Call them today to place your order for high-performance corn silage options from Latham Seeds.

    Webspec Admin

    December 7, 2021
    Corn Silage, Tech Tuesday
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    Improve Meat and Milk Production with Better Silage

    Corey feature image

    “Repetition is effective. Repetition is effective.” – Legendary Broadcaster Paul Harvey

    The massive amounts of information we process each day makes it easy for messages to get diluted or forgotten. That’s why I find it helpful to continually review the basics, especially when it comes to feeding corn silage.

    What gets fed to dairy cattle, as well as to beef cattle, affects the quality and quantity of the milk and meat produced. We know there is a correlation between starch and fiber digestibility with rates of gain. Getting the most tonnage and high nutritional concentration gives you the best chance of improving milk quality and production in dairy, as well as rates of gains in beef.

    Most of the silage research to date deals with feeding corn silage to dairy cattle. However, Iowa State University has updated its Beef Corn Silage Calculator that ranks the potential value of corn silage varieties used in beef rations.

    You also get an index ranking for Latham® hybrids in our seed guide. Our index rating shows a hybrid trend on a multi-season, multi-environment basis. Keep in mind that management practices, weather, and fertility can dramatically impact forage quality.

    Simply stated, here’s what we want from corn silage: high tonnage in the field and high quality in the bunk. Listed below are some basic corn silage terms to provide a better understanding of corn silage yield and quality:

    1. Dry Matter Basis (DM). Most all feed comparisons are done on a dry matter basis where all the moisture is removed. This helps provide consistency.
    2. Corn Silage Composition. Typical corn silage composition is 50% grain to 50 % stover on a dry matter basis.
    3. Grain yield. High-yielding grain hybrids tend to bring great tonnage and quality. Yield contributes to tonnage and quality.
    4. Nutritional value of the kernel. The value of corn silage is related to its energy content from starch, fat and amino acids. Corn silage provides energy from digestible fiber and from the starch contained in the kernel.
    5. Corey fecal starch tableStarch Digestibility. Increasing starch digestibility supports rumen bacteria and increases energy supply to dairy and beef cows. It’s estimated that for every 1 percent of fecal starch that passes into the manure, milk production is reduced by 0.72 pounds per head per day. This adds up!
    6. Fiber Digestibility. Hybrid selection, environment, and management practices impact fiber digestibility in corn silage. It’s estimated that for every 1 point of increased or improved fiber digestibility, milk output of a dairy cow can improve about one-half pound of milk per day per head.
    7. Non-Fiber Carbohydrate (NFC). Corn silage is about 50 percent NFC. Note: There is a correlation between this number and the grain percentage.

    There is an ocean of information available from seed guides to feed reports. Ultimately, it comes down to considering the end use first. Match your end use goals with product features and proper placement for maximum ROI at the bunk.

    Webspec Admin

    October 22, 2021
    Corn Silage, Crop, Fertility, General
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    Test for Aflatoxin Before Feeding Moisture-Stressed Corn

    Aflatoxin Enhanced

    It could be a matter of life and death.

    Hot, dry summers like we’ve seen throughout the 2021 growing season stress plants and create the perfect environment for fungal growth and toxins. Test for nitrate levels and mycotoxin before you feed moisture-stressed corn silage or grain to livestock. If you plan to graze corn stubble, it is a good idea to test the lower one-third of plant in the area you plan to graze.

    Even one highly contaminated kernel in a five-pound sample could result in more than 20 parts per billion (ppb) aflatoxin. If you see olive green or graygreen fungus on corn kernels, contact a feed testing lab like DairyLandLabs.com or IowaGrain.org.

    Aflatoxins cause various animal health problems, including death in some cases. Most commonly, feeding contaminated corn reduces the animals’ feed efficiency and reproductivity. Aflatoxin also suppresses an animal’s immune system, making it more susceptible to infectious diseases. In addition, aflatoxin can appear in the milk produced by dairy cows that were fed contaminated corn.

    Prime conditions for the fungus to produce toxin are warm nights, when temperatures stay above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, during the latter stages of grain fill (August/September) in a period of drought. As kernel moisture decreases, aflatoxin production increases. Toxin production is highest at 18 to 20 percent kernel moisture and usually stops around 15 percent kernel moisture. Ensiling corn usually does not reduce aflatoxin concentrations, but concentrations are unlikely to increase in properly managed silage.

    Below are guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acceptable aflatoxin levels in corn based on intended use. I also encourage you to work with a livestock nutritionist.

    Aflatoxin table

    Webspec Admin

    September 10, 2021
    Agronomics, Corn, Corn Silage, Crop, Disease, Drought, Season, Summer, Weather
  • Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

    6 Tips for Harvesting Corn Silage in Drought Conditions

    Silage

    Drought-stressed corn can create a range of silage harvest issues. With much of Latham Country experiencing abnormal to extreme drought conditions, risks such as high nitrate levels, variable moisture content and potential for yeasts, molds and mycotoxins must be accounted for and well understood.

    Silage

    Taking extra precautions to ensure a safe and productive corn silage harvest is a worthy investment. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind this summer and fall.

    1. Consult your team. Before you make any corn silage harvest decisions, verify your plan doesn’t impact your insurance coverage. It’s also good to discuss feed-out plans with an animal nutritionist so you have a plan for when and how the forage will be used.
    2. Test chopping height. As you prepare to harvest silage, test various chopping heights for nitrates. Nitrate concentration tends to lessen as chopping height increases. Measure your chopping height and then send a 5-inch stalk sample to the lab. It is best to send at least two samples. By testing different heights across the plant, it gives you a general idea of nitrate hot zones. Also, remember that recent rains can increase nitrate levels.If you harvest high on the stalk to avoid high nitrate levels, your tonnage will be reduced. It is estimated that you harvest 1 ton per foot of no ear or poorly eared corn.
    3. Monitor moisture content. As fields vary, so too will harvest moisture. Ideally, you want to get to 65% whole plant moisture. If it is drier, packing can be difficult but mixing in small particles can help if needed.
    4. Test on harvest day. Testing nitrate levels on harvest day will give you a good frame of reference for the final product. If it shows high, do not feed it to pregnant animals, and consult with your nutritionist regarding feeding to it the rest of your livestock. Allow this crop to ensile at least 21 days, and then retest.
    5. Innoculate. Anything to help ensile and preserve the forage after chopping is important. Because drought-stressed corn can be so variable in content, moisture and packing densities, it can lead to potential issues with high nitrates, mold, yeasts and mycotoxins. A good inoculant can help the fermentation process and reduce any further problems during feed out.
    6. Test before you feed. Ensiling can help reduce nitrate levels by as much as 40-60%, but the final nitrate levels can be dependent on good packing. It is always best to test before you feed silage to livestock. As a rule of thumb, take at least two samples from different areas of the silage pack. One sample is just a number, two samples start the trend and three samples add confidence. There is just too much at stake to risk nitrate poisoning.

    While Mother Nature can certainly throw some unexpected curve balls our way, these tips can help you make the best of a not-so-ideal harvest scenario.

    Webspec Admin

    August 11, 2021
    Agronomics, Corn Silage, Crop, Drought, Season, Summer, Tech Tuesday, Weather
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131 180th Street | Alexander, IA 50420

(641) 692-3258

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