By Shelby Gruss
I have been sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to get into the field to harvest my silage research plots. In late August, I noticed so many fields being harvested for silage, but then the rain started. Now, driving across the state, there are half-harvested fields and fields that were set for silage still standing.
This was particularly evident over Labor Day weekend. I noticed a chopper running, though it was probably one of their last passes as I headed into a rainstorm. Driving by that same field last week, it was still only partially harvested.
This is a hard situation many people are facing right now. The longer the crop sits in the field, the more mature the plant gets, and the drier it will be at harvest.
Why does proper moisture matter for silage?
When we make silage, we target a moisture content of roughly 60–70%, although the ideal range depends on storage:
- Upright oxygen-limiting silos: 55–60%
- Upright stave silos: 60–65%
- Bags: 60–70%
- Bunkers: 65–70%
Source : iastate.edu