When feeding corn silage to beef cows, there are many things you should know. In this article, we’ll discuss what to look for, how to harvest it, how to cut it, what additives are added, and how to store it. In addition, you’ll discover why mycotoxins are bad news for beef cattle. So, let’s get started! This is the most important thing you need to know about mycotoxins in corn silage.
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Harvesting corn for silage before the leaves turn brown and dry
The lack of rain in Missouri is affecting pasture and crop conditions. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, northern Missouri farms are currently in moderate to severe drought conditions. To avoid this, farmers are considering harvesting corn for silage. Harvest corn when grain is well dented and the leaves are about 3/8 to 1/2″ long. The lower stalk is the least digestible part of the plant and contains the highest nitrates and energy.
Ideally, corn silage is harvested when the kernels are well dented and the leaves are brown. Harvesting corn for silage before the leaves turn brown and dry is essential for quality feed. If the leaves are too dry, the silage will not pack well and could produce an unpleasant odor. It may also not ferment properly and will contain some dead and brown leaves. A microwave will also help you check the moisture content of corn silage.
Cutting heights for corn silage
Depending on where you live, cutting heights for corn silage for beef cattle vary considerably. In general, 10 inches is the standard. However, heights above 24 inches may disrupt the flow of silage through the chopper. Another factor affecting the optimum height for chopping corn silage for beef cattle is forage quality. If alfalfa is of low quality, it is advisable to supplement with corn silage to boost tonnage rather than quality.
Results from the present study showed that corn cutting heights and genetics influenced the nutritive quality of corn silage. Cutting heights of 8 commercial corn hybrids were studied in situ in order to determine their main effects and interactions on starch, DM, and NDF content. Cutting height also increased the degradability of DM and NDF. The experiments used Pioneer Hi-Bred Int., Inc. hybrids and were performed using four x four Latin square digestion.
Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) additives
Using SRU, or non-protein nitrogen, to supplement corn silage for growing cattle improves the nutritional quality of feed and increases profitability. The study also found that dietary supplementation improves performance, profitability, and environmental impact, which support its use in beef cattle nutrition. Furthermore, SRU is inexpensive and easy to implement in existing beef production systems. Here we review the benefits and limitations of using SRU and other NPN additives in beef cattle diets.
NPN products work by binding to the moisture in silage. If the moisture content is adequate, minimal protein will be lost. If the moisture is too high, however, seepage will occur, taking dissolved nitrogen along with it. On the other hand, if the silage is too dry, there will be less water for urea or ammonia to bind to. For best results, the dry matter content of corn silage should be between thirty and forty percent. Other components of the silage can be supplemented, including calcium and sulfur.
Storage of corn silage
When storing corn silage for beef cattle, the appropriate moisture level is critical to achieving good pack density. Whole plant moisture should range between 60 and 70%. The desired range will vary depending on the storage structure. Bunkers and pit silos will need more moisture, while bags can accommodate a little bit of dryer material. Chop length is also important, as a short chop will ensure proper pack density and fermentation.
The length of cut and crop processing of corn silage are also important factors for quality. A higher seeding rate means more corn for silage and more tonnage per acre. A lower plant density reduces the starch content because it has less fibrous material. The amount of pass-through starch can be measured by testing manure for moisture. When the grain is properly processed, the quality of corn silage will improve.
