The ideal target moisture content for harvesting corn silage is often described as 65% moisture for proper ensiling to take place. However, many beef producers may target harvesting at a slightly drier moisture content (55% to 60% moisture) to avoid handling less water. Keep in mind: Harvested at a drier content does lower silage quality and can impact storage and fermentation success.
There are plenty of storage methods for silage, including upright silos, bunkers and bags; however, bagging may be preferred over small piles for all but the larger cow-calf producers. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, but the importance of packing density to limit oxygen exposure and rain infiltration pertain to all.
For proper anaerobic fermentation to occur, silage needs to remain untouched for approximately 30 days. Feeding greenchopped silage is also a health risk for cows, especially nitrate toxicity, which can cause abortions.
Consider other factors such as chop length, kernel or grain processing and the use of inoculants to aid in the fermentation process, and ultimately increase feeding value to the cow herd and help maintain stability of the silage face when feeding from the pile.
Prior to feeding, submitting a sample for nutrient analysis is beneficial to determine dry matter, protein and energy levels to properly formulate diets to meet cow requirements without overfeeding nutrients. Often, corn silage is priced at 10 times the price of corn. For example, if corn is $4.50 per bushel, then corn silage would be priced at $45 per ton (as-fed).
Don’t forget to plant an annual forage such as cereal rye, oats or a combination of small grains and brassicas behind your corn silage acres to optimize forage productivity and provide some erosion control and build soil fertility. Deciding if you would like extra fall or spring growth will help determine which species of cover crop you use. Additionally, small-grain silage can also be made on prevent planting acres on or after Sept. 1. 
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Erika Lundy
- Extension Beef Program Specialist
- Iowa Beef Center - Iowa State University
- Email Erika Lundy
