By Scout Nelson
Making quality silage requires careful planning from the start of harvest through storage and feeding. Moisture, crop maturity, chop length, kernel processing, packing, and covering all affect how well silage ferments and how much feed value it keeps. Small decisions during harvest can have an impact on feed quality and livestock performance for many months.
Kim Ricardo, SDSU Extension Forage Field Specialist, explained that producers need to pay close attention to crop conditions and harvest management when making silage. Conditions can change quickly during the day, so checking the crop often helps farmers make timely adjustments.
Know When the Crop Is Ready
The right harvest time depends on crop maturity and moisture. For corn silage, whole-plant moisture or dry matter is an important measure. The target moisture level depends on the type of storage system.
For bunkers, piles, or stacks, a general target is about 65% to 70% moisture. Silage bags allow a wider range, usually around 60-70% moisture. Conventional upright silos generally work well with about 60-65% moisture. Oxygen-limiting silos can usually handle lower moisture, with common targets ranging from 50-60%.
Farmers should not begin chopping simply because nearby farms have started. Hybrid type, planting date, field conditions, and weather can all affect crop maturity. Testing moisture before harvest and during chopping gives a better idea of when the crop is ready. Visual signs alone may not provide an accurate moisture estimate.
Prepare Equipment Before Harvest
Good preparation helps keep harvest moving. Before chopping starts, farmers should inspect the chopper and check the knives, shear bar, rollers, and kernel processor. These parts need to be adjusted correctly and kept in good working condition.
Hauling capacity is also important. A high-capacity chopper can quickly fill trucks or wagons if enough hauling equipment is not available. On the other hand, if the packing tractor cannot keep up with incoming loads, silage may sit too long before it is packed.
The storage area should also be ready before harvest. Plastic, oxygen-barrier material, and enough weight to secure the cover should be available. Early preparation helps reduce delays and protects feed quality.
Monitor Chop Quality
Farmers should regularly check the material coming from the chopper. Chop length needs to provide a good balance between effective fiber and proper packing. It also affects the ration structure and how livestock use the feed.
For corn silage, a theoretical length of cut of about 3/8 to 1/2 inch is commonly used for unprocessed corn. About 3/4 inch is commonly used for processed corn.
Kernel processing is another important part of corn silage harvest. Proper processing helps make starch more available to livestock and reduces the amount of whole kernels that pass through the animal undigested.
Crop conditions can change during the day. Warm, dry, or windy weather can cause moisture levels to change quickly. Farmers should continue checking silage and make adjustments when needed.
Pack Silage Properly
Chopping is only one part of making quality silage. Proper packing removes oxygen and creates the conditions needed for good fermentation.
Silage should be spread in thin, even layers. Thin layers are easier to pack and help reduce trapped air. Thick layers can leave air pockets, which may lead to heating, mold, and spoilage.
A general rule is to provide about 800 pounds of packing weight for every ton of silage delivered per hour. For example, if 50 tons arrive each hour, about 40,000 pounds of packing weight is needed.
The goal is not simply to move loads quickly. Each load needs to be spread and packed properly before another load arrives. Good packing helps protect nutrients and reduce feed losses.
Cover and Seal Quickly
Covering silage should begin as soon as the pile or bunker is finished. Edges, seams, and corners need special attention because air can enter these areas easily.
The cover should be secured well and checked regularly for damage. Poor sealing can allow oxygen into the silage and increase dry matter losses.
Even with good moisture conditions, estimated dry matter losses during filling, storage, and feedout can range from 16-23% for covered bunkers, 9-14% for bags, and 11-19% for upright silos. Actual losses vary based on management practices.
Photo Credit: getty-images-pixelift
Categories: South Dakota, Crops, Corn, Harvesting, Livestock