Harvesting Corn Silage by Plant Moisture

Introduction Corn must be ensiled at the appropriate moisture level to get proper fermentation for preservation and optimal nutritional value. Deciding when to harvest is based on grain maturity, whole-plant fiber levels and whole-plant moisture. Harvested too wet, silage loses soluble nitrogen and carbohydrates to leakage. On the other hand, silage that is chopped too dry may lose leaves and won’t pack properly, setting the stage for inefficient fermentation.