![]() ![]() They work by accelerating the acid production needed to preserve the silage. The most common bacterial inoculants are the lactic acid forming type, Lactobacillus. Numerous additives are available that may enhance the ensiling process. ![]() If nitrates are a concern, a lab test to determine nitrate levels following fermentation may prove to be a wise investment. 4 When high nitrates are suspected, usually from brief droughts, increasing the harvest height may be justified because the bottom portion of the plant contains a much higher level of nitrates. Research has shown, however, that high-chopping corn silage improves the neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the silage by only one or two units, while reducing yields by a much higher percentage. The theory of high-chopping is that digestibility of the resulting silage could be improved if the bottom part of the plant is not put into the silo. Since the corn plant has a higher proportion of lignin in the lower third of the plant, some growers have experimented with increasing the cutting height from the typical 6 to 8 inches to 18 inches. 75 inches if not kernel processed at harvest, or 1.00 to 1.50 inches if a kernel processor is used. A general recommendation is to chop corn silage with a chop length ranging from. Processing improves ruminal digestion of corn silage.įorage specialists advise a short length of chop without a kernel processor or a longer length of chop if a kernel processor is used. Since the entire corn plant is affected, the term crop processor may be more appropriate. The two rollers operate at different revolutions per minute, which results in a shearing of the stover. 2 Kernal processors break corn kernals into smaller fractions as the forage passes through two rollers that have a clearance about the thickness of a dime. There is also less sorting and cob refusal at the feed manger for total mixed rations containing processed whole plant corn silage. Kernel processing corn silage improves dry matter intake, starch digestion, and lactation performance. Steers and heifers receiving processed corn silage usually show greater weight gains and are more efficient than cattle fed unprocessed corn silage. There is considerable interest in kernel processing as some studies have reported increased milk flow from dairy cows fed processed corn silage. Drier corn needs to be cut shorter to facilitate packing. Dairymen can usually expect higher butter fat and protein percentages and fewer displaced abomasums with a longer chop. Corn silage that is chopped too fine or over-processed passes through the rumen too quickly, leading to reduced feed efficiency. This is critical to stimulate rumination, increase milk production, and augment growth rates. Forage particles need to be long enough to float in the rumen and maintain the rumen fiber mat. ![]() Particle size at harvest depends on knife sharpness, harvest speed, shear bar setting and crop moisture. If the silo is properly packed and sealed, this phase lasts until the silo is opened and silage again comes in contact with oxygen. When the pH reaches approximately 4.0, the bacteria die and the silage begins the stable phase (phase 4). As the bacteria grow, they use plant sugars and produce lactic and acetic acids, the accumulation of which reduces the pH of the forage. Fermentation (phase 3) begins as the anaerobic lactic acid bacteria begin to grow and rapidly multiply. Almost immediately plant cell membranes break down, allowing cell juices to become a growth medium for anaerobic bacteria. If the silo is well-packed, the amount of available oxygen is minimal and soon the lag phase (phase 2) begins. In the aerobic phase (phase 1), oxygen trapped in the air spaces of the silage mass is consumed by plant respiration and aerobic microorganisms. ![]() There are four basic phases in the ensiling process. The high palatability of corn silage encourages feed intake which contributes to higher milk yields, greater weight gains and additional farm profits. Properly harvested and stored, corn silage is extremely palatable, superior to other forages in energy content, a great fiber source, and relatively consistent in quality. Utah growers produce approximately 990,000 tons of corn silage annually, providing important forage in livestock and dairy diets. Chopping and Storing Quality Corn Silage Introduction ![]()
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