The targeted animal ration must drive corn silage hybrid decisions, following micro-environment placement. This balances maximum dry matter tonnage per acre with quality needs. Yield should be thought of as a quality influencer; it has a direct correlation to moisture at harvest, dry matter post-fermentation (adjusted yields) and the forage quality that results.
Dry matter and nutrient losses drop below economical thresholds if corn harvest moisture is higher than 72 percent. Field losses from moisture issues occur due to spoilage, feed refusal and an unstable product that fails on quality. The bottom line is harvest timing, processing and storage conditions can make or break the plan when chopping silage at a transition stage.
When feeding cattle, producers want high feed efficiency. Corn silage hybrids provide a high energy density. In vitro dry matter digestibility or whole plant digestibility has the highest correlation to the energy density of corn silage. Also, the starch content and availability directly affect the energy density. The higher the reading, the more energy dense the corn silage is for beef production and the greater feed efficiency for the cattle producer.
Nutritionists use many different strategies to juggle TMRs. High NDFd corn silage, which directly correlates to increased dry matter intake (DMI) and milk production in high-performing dairy cows, is a high priority. Low lignin, along with desired levels of NDF, can provide a ration tool for effective fiber needs. Starch content and availability in corn silages allows ration flexibility to reduce variation.
An example is utilizing a soft-textured-kernel corn silage, which has a high correlation to starch digestibility and utilization by dairy cows, improving availability of the fermentable starch source throughout the rumen. Ideally, nutritionists want corn silage to increase DMI without jeopardizing herd health in the process. Corn silage can provide a consistent ingredient for the dairy nutritionist in balancing rations for your dairy cows.