Amid Drought, Rules for Good Corn Silage Still Apply

Aug 26, 2021

By Beth Doran

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates continuing drought in northwest Iowa.

Corn fields are beginning to dry down, but appearance can be misleading when making corn silage, according to Beth Doran, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. She reminds producers that the rules for good corn silage still apply.

Harvest at the optimum moisture. This would be 65-70% moisture for a bunker silo or 60-70% for a bag. Silage that is too wet will become putrid and seep excessively. If too dry, the silage does not pack well and will mold.

Increase the cutting height. Corn plants are traditionally cut 6 inches above the soil surface, but this is not a traditional year. To reduce nitrate levels in the chopped material, cutting height should be 12 to 18 inches. Yield is reduced, but so are the nitrate levels.

Adjust the length of cut for the chopper. Corn silage harvested with a conventional chopper (without a corn processor) should have a three-eighths-inch theoretical length of cut. If a kernel processor is used, the optimum length is three-quarters of an inch.

Kernel processing increases starch digestibility. The value of kernel processing increases when the moisture content is below 67%. Another plus for kernel processing is the reduction in cob sorting when the silage is fed.

Consider an inoculant. Inoculants can reduce the pH of the silage and inhibit yeast and mold growth. This helps increase the storage life of the silage.

Packing is critical. Dry matter loss during storage increases as the density of the silage decreases. The recommended minimum density of wet corn silage is 14 pounds per cubic foot.

Cover silage in bunkers, trenches and piles. Do this as soon as possible after filling and anchor the plastic with dirt, tires or other heavy items to protect it from wind damage.

Allow time for silage fermentation. Normal silage takes a minimum of three weeks, but drought-stressed corn silage may take longer. Although fermentation can reduce nitrate levels by 40%, test the silage before feeding to determine the nitrate level.

Be careful with green-chopped corn. Adapt cattle to green-chop slowly, have them full before green-chopped corn is introduced into the diet, and deliver only what they can eat in several hours. Cut the corn plant above the 12-15 inch height and feed immediately. Do not hold it over for the next feeding, as nitrate levels will increase.

Source : iastate.edu

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.