Learn how the right harvest timing, dry matter content, chop size, kernel processing, compaction, storage and silage inoculants can improve corn silage quality, feed intake and livestock performance.
First, it is necessary to know the growth stage of the corn in the field to be able to determine the optimum corn silage maturity at harvest. The maturity will depend on the planting date (based on the variety) and the climate; the plant dry matter (DM) content can vary up to 0.5% depending on the climate. Thus, the correct harvesting time changes every year. Our goal is to achieve a dry matter content in the whole plant of 30-35% and regarding the corn cob, a dry matter content of 50-60%.
Grain maturity can be observed through the kernel milkline, which separates the liquid part from the solid part. The solid part should represent 1/2 or 2/3 of it to be optimum for silage. The dry matter of the grain at this stage is 63-64%.
However, due to the different maturity processes and plant maturity processes, these criteria can only be used as a guide in timing the optimal corn plant harvest. The dry matter content of the plant (without cob) should not exceed 24%. This ensures that there is not too much indigestible fiber that can decrease the digestibility of the silage. The result will be in a dry matter content in the whole plant of 30-35%.
Harvesting at the recommended stage of grain maturity brings several advantages: good packing density, adequate substances for fermentation (starch, sugar) which results in rapid lactic-acid fermentation, leading to a palatable and energy-rich corn silage. In general, a practical way is to consider a reduction of 0.5% moisture for each day. This is very useful when monitoring corn crops to plan the optimal harvest time.
Harvesting too early will produce low yields. In addition, too wet material often undergoes a poor fermentation that results in higher fermentation losses. Seepage can also occur, which removes nutrients, particularly soluble nitrogen and carbohydrates.
Late harvesting has problems in filling and packing. When the ensiled material is too dry it can create air pockets which prevent anaerobic fermentation and allow molds to develop. In addition, the kernels become harder and less digestible.
Regarding the cutting height of the plant, it is recommended between 10 to 20 cm to obtain good nutritional results. If sufficient corn is to be left in the field, it makes sense to consider moving to a higher cutting height. High cutting has a higher ratio of grain to stover: by lowering the proportion of stalks in the silage, you raise the energy content.
When it comes to the chop length, theoretical chop size is 10 to 15 mm. This will depend on the maturity level of the plant: the higher the dry matter content, the shorter the chopping size should be to ensure good packing. However, very short chop lengths could negatively impact the corn silage structure.
The correct cracker setting, for optimum kernel processing, must be checked since only corn kernels that have been crushed can be digested by the cow. In general, more than 90% of the kernels must be crushed.
Ensuring high forage density is the most important part in silage making. Here it is essential that the tractor carrying out the packing (and not the driver who unloads the harvested material) determines the silo filling speed.
A density of more than 250 kg DM per cubic meter of silage is used as a guideline. This can be achieved with a maximum compaction layer height of about 20 to 30 cm. The tractor weight should be approximately one third of the unloading silage capacity per hour. For optimum cutting output, it is often useful to use two tractors or to fill two silos at the same time.
Decreasing dry matter content of silage can lead to excess moisture and low sugar thus delaying the ensiling process. This also results in a loss of nutrients through effluents.
Josilac® combi helps in these situations by accelerating the pH drop process, reducing nutrients loss and the spread of harmful microorganisms. At the same time, the homofermentative bacteria ensure good silage stability.
If the dry matter content is above the target value, the risk of reheating increases, especially due to poor packing. This also results in energy loss, as well reduced palatability, and digestibility. In this case, the usage of Josilac® ferm prevents yeast and fungal development, stabilizing the silage.
Harvested corn naturally contains microorganisms, both beneficial and harmful for optimal ensiling. Among the beneficial microorganisms, we find lactic acid bacteria and within the undesirable microorganisms we have clostridia, enterobacteria, bacilli, yeasts and fungi.
Inoculants for corn silage contain live bacteria and should be incorporated into fresh forage prior to ensiling. They are primarily used to ensure fast and efficient fermentation and, it also inhibit aerobic spoilage.
Silage that has been treated with inoculants can produce up to 8% more rumen microorganisms than untreated silage. This increase in the rumen flora improves nitrogen utilization, as the rumen microorganisms are a great source of protein for the animal.
In addition, researches have shown that treated silages produce less gas than untreated silages, without affecting digestibility nor production of volatile fatty acids.
Category | Target Values |
Whole plant dry matter content | 30 – 35%. |
Crude Protein | 7% DM |
Crude Fiber | 170 – 200 g/kg |
Net Energy Lactation | >6 MJ NEL/kg DM |
Starch | 35 – 40% DM |
Neutral Detergent Fiber | 35 – 40% DM |
Non Protein Nitrogen | <5% DM |
Lactic Acid | 3-7% DM |
Acetic Acid | <2% DM |
Butyric Acid | <0.1% DM |
Propionic Acid | <1% DM |
pH | 3,8 – 4,5 |
According to scientific literature, we can expect 2.5% improvement in the DM content with homofermentative bacteria, this means 25 tons savings when treating 1000 tons of silage.
The return on investment can be measured in two ways. First, the dry matter content in the silo. According to scientific literature, there is 2.5% improvement in dry matter content when homofermentative inoculants are used, which means 25 tons in 1.000 tons of ensiled material. The second important aspect is the impact on the animal. In the same study, it was observed that 50% of the animals have shown an improvement in milk production of 3% and, in regard to beef production, 5% increase in weight gain when fed with treated silage.
The silage process takes time, so the silo should only be opened after six weeks. It is important to keep it properly covered to prevent air infiltration. In general, the size of the silo should match the size of the herd to avoid overheating. The goal is to have a feeding consumption of 2.5 meters per week.
Ensilling in several stages
Low feed rate
Very high dry matter content
Very high fibre content
High cutting lengths
Insufficient compaction
Protein degradation
Bad smells (alcohol, burnt toast)
Unpalatable fodder and low intake
Weakening of the immune system
Environment favourable to spreading pathogenic germs and moulds
Recommendation: We recommend the use of Josilac®combi or Josilac®extra with the Safety Effect. This specifically reduces the proliferation of yeasts and moulds by the production of acetic acid. A stable silage as well as lower dry matter losses due to prevention of reheating are the result.
With regard to good professional practice, a dry matter content of max. 35 % should be aimed for in order to be able to compact the silo optimally.
After ensiling, the silo should be closed quickly and completely covered during breaks of more than 12 hours.
Care should be taken to ensure sufficient daily removal.
… is always a sign of the presence of oxygen and therefore air intake
Poor compression or high residual oxygen content after preparation
High dry matter content
Too long cut
Insufficient covering and closure of the silo
Small removal
Ensilling in several stages
Loss of feed due to disposal of heavily mouldy feed
Presence of mycotoxins
Fertility problems
Impairment of milk production or average daily gains
Small removal
Diseases in cattle such as diarrhoea or liver and kidney damage
May lead to additional costs (veterinary surgeon etc.)
Excursus – Do you recognise these types of mould?
Aspergillus fumigatus
Penicillium roqueforti
Byssochlamys nivea
Monascus ruber
Recommendation: Close the silo quickly and correctly after ensiling and optimise compaction to prevent air from entering the silo. Ensure that sufficiently large portions of feed are taken out! We recommend the use of Josilac®combi or Josilac®extra with the Safety Effect. By producing acetic acid this specifically reduces the proliferation of yeasts and moulds, whereby a stable silage and lower dry matter losses can be achieved.
