With the wetter corn silage, starch in the immature corn silage will be fermented quickly, and less buffering via the saliva will occur. Some recommendations include: 1. Check the starch level in the immature corn silage and total ration. 2. Check the level of moisture in the total ration. If the moisture content is over 55%, acidosis may occur and dry matter intake may be restricted. 3. Evaluate ration particle size (immature corn silage may chop shorter). Based on the answers to these questions, some suggested changes would be to lower the starch level in the ration. For example, if the current starch level in the diet is 28%, lowering it to 25% may be prudent. Not only is the dietary starch level important, but also the grain starch source, i.e., high moisture corn, steam flaked corn, or finely ground corn. Additional buffer in the ration is also recommended. Closely monitor milk yield, milk components, and dry matter intakes when feeding this type of corn silage. Particle size of the total mixed ration and refusals should be checked to make sure the ration particle size is not too fine, that the distribution is correct, and that cows are not sorting. Wet silage is more likely to have excessive seepage, thus reducing quality. Wet silage may ferment improperly, producing higher levels of butyric and other undesirable acids that can reduce consumption. Mike Hutjens, Extension Dairy Specialist, University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET

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