Corn Silage Harvest Toolkit: 2021 Edition
Corn silage harvest toolkit: 2021 edition
Corn silage harvest toolkit: 2021 edition
by Joe Lawrence
Each
corn silage harvest season presents its own unique opportunities and
challenges. The following is a summary of considerations and resources to
consider in preparation for a successful corn silage harvest.
2021 Opportunities
- Lower overall rainfall(varied by region of state) generally
results in improved corn silage fiber digestibility
- A timely planting window and
above average heat increases likelihood of harvest before “mud” season
- Adequate moisture around and
after pollination aids ear development which could improve starch yield
and overall yield.
2021
Challenges
- Early Season drought conditions
may compromise yield
- Rainfall around pollination and
weather induced stress may increase risk for mold and mycotoxins
- Weather stress may lead to
variation in crop maturity and optimum harvest timing. Pay close attention
to whole plant dry matter (DM) for harvest timing decisions
Article: Record Silking/Tasseling Dates for Corn Fields
Article: Sampling for Moisture Content in Corn Silage Fields
NEW Factsheet: Corn Plant Dry Down
- Corn Silage harvest is always a
stressful time around the farm, review Safety with your team before
harvest season begins.
There are many keys to corn silage harvest and while they are important
every year, there can be an added importance in a year when concerns may
persist regarding sufficient forage inventories as every pound of forage you
can successfully preserve counts more than ever.
Continue reading Corn silage harvest toolkit: 2021 edition
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Last updated September 20, 2021