Corn Silage Preservation – Tips for Success in 2024

BY Dairyland Seed Marketing Team

In previous articles, we discussed the importance of setting goals for whole plant moisture, theoretical length of cut, and kernel processing scores to maximize forage quality in this year’s silage crop. Now that we are or soon will be harvesting most of the silage acres in the upper Midwest, it is time to discuss how to properly pack and store this crop.

It’s no secret, the 2024 silage crop that we are dealing with is highly variable. Add to that increased pressure from foliar diseases such as northern corn leaf blight and tar spot, along with anthracnose leaf blight and stalk rot, we will have silage coming off fields that is composed of both dead and live plant material. Another thing to note is above normal temperatures this week that will push silage maturation along very quickly. In September, a good rule of thumb is that silage will lose a half of point of moisture each day. It is likely that this week we are losing closer to one full point or more each day. For these reasons, we need to stay vigilant in testing for proper moisture and increase our intensity on proper packing. With a mixture of dead and live plant material, it is more difficult to achieve desired packing density.

A good rule of thumb for properly packing forage in bunkers or piles is 800-1000 pounds of tractor weight per ton delivered per hour. For example, if silage is being delivered to the storage area at a rate of 100 tons per hour, you would need at least 80,000 pounds of tractor weight to achieve good forage density (100 tons X 800lbs = 80,000 pounds). If adequate tractor weight is not achievable, another option is to adjust the rate at which silage is being delivered.

To know if you need improvement in this area, work with your nutritionist to determine what your current bunker or pile densities are. There are several ways to measure this, and nutritionists’ opinions may vary, but the goal is to remove as much oxygen as possible to achieve a rapid fermentation. Aim for 18-20 pounds DM/ft³, or at least 44 pounds As Fed/ft³. The below table does a great job of showing the relationship between porosity and DM/ft³ and can help you develop goals for as fed density.

The next step to forage preservation is covering and sealing your pile or bunker. Make sure you are using an oxygen barrier cover along with a strong plastic final cover and have proper tire or weight coverage. Ensure that edges are sealed to avoid exposure to oxygen. This is an area that can use extra attention on most farms. It takes time but can really help in lowering dry matter losses from the edges or tops of feed storage structures. If you see air pockets under the cover, or plastic flapping in the wind, more work is needed to seal the structure.

Lastly, please keep safety in mind during the silage harvest season. This process involves heavy equipment operating on piles or structures that are elevated. Whether you are feeding silage into a blower and upright silo, filling a bagger, or packing a pile, it is all dangerous. Often there are long hours involved, as well as operation into the evenings when visibility is not great. Take extra caution each day to look at your surroundings and make sure each move you make is a safe one for you and others around you.