It’s an age-old question: When’s the right time to cut silage?

Corn silage is an important feedstuff for both feedlots and dairies. About 63 million acres are cut annually, with a big chunk of that in dairy states such as Wisconsin and California. About 280,000 acres are planted and harvested every year in Nebraska, producing about 4.76 million tons.

Harvest timing of this important feed component was the focus for silage and beef nutrition researchers this summer when they presented findings at a Silage for Beef conference held at the University of Nebraska Research Extension and Education Center near Mead, summarizing studies from Nebraska and other states.

The conference was sponsored by UNL, Iowa State University and Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

Galen Erickson, a Nebraska Extension beef specialist, said studies generally show the optimum dry matter content to be 37% to 38% and moisture content at 62% to 63% at cutting. But achieving those numbers is difficult to measure in the field. “Better tools to do so are needed,” Erickson said.

Harvest time

Kernel milk layer has been used as a predictor of harvest time for silage since the corn plant changes in dry matter relative to black layer. “For bunkers, a kernel milk line of one-half to two-thirds results in 65% to 72% moisture,” Erickson said.

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He said in bags, two-thirds black layer equates to 60% to 65% moisture.

Silage pits normally become slightly wetter when filled, Erickson said, and if you have your silage cut by a custom operator, you’re at the mercy of the operator’s schedule.

Duarte Diaz, an associate professor at the University of Arizona and an animal nutritionist, discussed silage packing and how it affects fermentation and quality. “Good silage management is essential to reduce mycotoxins,” he said.

Diaz recommended choosing fungal disease-resistant varieties and harvesting at the proper stage of maturity and moisture. He said it’s critical to fill the silo or bunker fast, pack tight and cover well.

Other factors can affect silage quality, including neglecting to repair holes in bags, if that’s your method of storage, and not placing enough weight on the cover in bunkers.

Renato Schmidt, who heads up technical services for forage products at Lallemand, also addressed silage pile management. “The presence of air within the forage mass is a primary factor that negatively affects the ensiling process,” he said.

19 tips for silage safety

Silage cutting can be considered one of the most dangerous jobs on the farm, so Lallemand offers several recommendations regarding staying safe in the silage operation.

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These safety tips for bunker silos or piles are offered by Lallemand and the late Keith Bolsen, a professor of cattle nutrition at Kansas State University who was widely known as an expert in silage management and farm safety.