Corn silage is the cornerstone of many ruminant livestock feeding programs due to its high energy content and digestibility. However, achieving high-quality silage requires more than just harvesting corn at the right time. Mistakes in chopping, packing, and covering can lead to substantial losses in dry matter, energy, and feeding value. Here are five expert-backed tips to help you make the best corn silage possible while keeping safety front and center.
1. Chop Length and Kernel Processing: Set It Right, Get It Right
Proper chop length and kernel processing are vital to fermentation and animal performance. The target theoretical length of cut (TLOC) for corn silage is typically 3/8 to 1/2 inch (9.5 to 12.5 mm). However, chop length should be fine-tuned based on kernel processing quality and moisture content.
Key advice:
-
Moisture Matters: For ideal fermentation, corn should be harvested at 32–35% dry matter (68–65% moisture).
-
Kernel Processing: Ensure thorough kernel processing to crack or crush nearly all kernels. This improves starch digestibility and reduces sorting at the bunk.
-
Evaluation Tool: Use a Corn Silage Processing Score (CSPS) or on-farm kernel processor evaluation tools. A CSPS of ≥70% is considered excellent.
2. Pack Densely: No Air Pockets, No Problem
Air is the enemy of good silage. Poor packing leads to aerobic instability and nutrient losses. Densely packed silage reduces oxygen infiltration, enhances fermentation, and lowers spoilage risks.
Best practices:
-
Packing Density: Target a minimum of 15 pounds of dry matter per cubic foot (240 kg/m³).
-
Tractor Weight: Use heavy equipment; 800 pounds of packing weight per ton of silage delivered per hour is a good rule.
-
Thin Layers: Spread forage in 6-inch (15 cm) layers and pack continuously.
-
Avoid Overfilling: Ensure your bunker walls are not exceeded, which compromises safety and sealing.
3. Seal with an Oxygen Barrier Film
Covering silage quickly and effectively is essential for preserving feed value. Oxygen barrier films dramatically reduce air ingress compared to standard polyethylene covers.
Why it works:
-
Multi-layer Films: Oxygen barrier films (e.g., EVOH-based) offer up to 100 times less oxygen permeability than traditional black plastic.
-
Two-Layer Approach: Use the oxygen barrier film directly on the silage surface, followed by a UV-resistant top layer for durability.
-
Timing: Cover within 24 hours of finishing to prevent aerobic losses.
4. Anchor the Edges: No Flapping, No Leaking
Even the best film fails if air sneaks in around the edges. Properly weighing down edges prevents oxygen infiltration and spoilage at the margins, which are some of the most vulnerable zones.
Recommendations:
-
Edge Seal: Place sandbags or tire sidewalls edge-to-edge around the entire perimeter. No gaps.
-
Overlap Matters: Overlap sheets by at least 3–4 feet (1–1.2 meters) and seal seams with adhesive tape or weights.
-
Sidewall Contact: Ensure plastic conforms tightly to bunker sidewalls or slope edges.
5. Prioritize Safety: Your Life is More Valuable Than Any Load
Silage-making is high-risk, especially around tall piles and heavy equipment. Every year, preventable accidents claim lives on farms during harvest and feed-out.
Safety essentials:
-
Stay Clear of Faces: Never work near the front of a silage pile or bunker during feed-out. Collapse risk is real even from seemingly stable faces.
-
Use Equipment Safely: Only trained operators should run packing tractors. Never ride along or walk behind moving equipment.
-
Lighting and Visibility: If working after dark, ensure high-visibility clothing, adequate lighting, and constant communication.
-
Slope Gradients: Keep pile slopes at no steeper than 3:1 (rise:run) for safety and compaction effectiveness.
Conclusion: Preserve Yield, Maximize Value
Great silage starts with attention to detail. From proper chop length and kernel processing to tight packing, oxygen barrier sealing, and rigorous safety protocols, every step in the process affects the final feed quality. Investing time and effort into these best practices pays back with more milk or meat per acre and a safer working environment for everyone.
