1) Put up silage at the correct moisture level.

Moisture levels that are too low result in less favorable fermentation and in poor packing characteristics in the silage. Moisture levels that are too high result in silage that has greater effluent losses (loss of nutrients in the water which oozes from the pile) and in a “sour” fermentation. In most cases, corn silage should be harvested at 65 to 70 percent moisture for optimum results.

2) Pack the silage correctly.

Excluding oxygen is a very important aspect of making good quality silage. Adequate packing ensures that oxygen is driven out. Adequate packing involves a number of different factors including the correct chop length for your particular silage crop, as well as having an adequately sized packing tractor for the amount of silage you are placing in the pile. Because ;wheeled tractors exert more pressure per square inch compared to crawler or track-type tractors, wheeled tractors are preferred for packing silage. Be sure to use caution when packing silage. The weight of the tractors used and the height of many bunker silos make this a job for experienced tractor operators. Add thin layers of material and pack adequately as the silo is filled.

One often overlooked item is the importance of sharp knives during the chopping process. Sharp knives produce a uniform chop length and improve packing in the bunker. Take some time before and during harvest to be sure the knives are sharpened. It will pay dividends in improved silage quality.

This process also involves making the correct sized silo face (the face you will feed from) relative to the amount you plan to feed on a daily basis. This ensures a minimum of spoilage when the silo is opened and you begin to expose the face to oxygen during the feeding process.

3) Cover the silage bunker after packing.

This ensures that spoilage will be minimized and that potential damage from rodents and other wildlife will be kept to a minimum. Black or white plastic can be used. Use plenty of tires to adequately hold the plastic on the bunker silo.

Note About Nitrate – Nitrate levels can increase in corn during drought conditions. The ensiling process can reduce nitrate levels through fermentation. Generally, nitrate levels will be reduced 25 to 30 percent as the silage ferments.

Inoculants – Inoculants are designed to improve the fermentation process by adding Lactobacillus or other beneficial fermentation organisms to the silage-making process. In corn, there are often adequate numbers of these organisms present on the plant already. However, there may be cases when inoculation results in improved silage fermentation or aerobic stability.

By following these few pointers, you will improve the quality of the corn silage you put up this fall, experience lower storage losses, and, quite possibly, have improved animal performance.