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CORN SILAGE & HM CORN BEST MANAGEMENT

PRACTICES: PROTECTING &

PRESERVING HOMEGROWN

NUTRIENTS

Troy Brown

2018 Beef Conference

Our Mission

To serve the livestock production industry through 

innovative solutions, professional services, & 

customer focus.

Economic Opportunity: Improve Forage Quality & Reduce Nutrient/DM Lose.

• Impacts• Dry matter intake• Animal performance• Animal health

• Requirements• Incorporate Forage BMP’s (best management practices)

• Results• Less purchased feed, grain & protein• Increased income over feed costs

Improving forage management practices will always improve profitability

Forage Quality

Value of Corn Silage Shrink

Feedstuffs Reprint: Vol82 #06

Actual Cost of Silage Shrink

$35/ton Corn Silage @ 32% DM =$.0546/lb of DM

Each ton of DM = $109.38 

• 10% DM shrink actual cost = $121.52/ton DM

• 20% DM shrink actual cost = $136.72/ton DM

• 30% DM shrink actual cost = $156.25/ton DM

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Shrink Loss is very deceiving?

• Beef Producer weighs all forage delivered and packed into his storage facility; bunker, bag, pile or tower silo.  

• He also weighs all forage being fed to his animals.  

• Results: total weight lose = 10% 

• 10% shrink is considered acceptable….correct?

Wait…..What is your actual DM loss?

What is the cost/ton of this shrink of $35/ton CS

Shrink Loss Percent Is Deceiving!A low feed shrink loss can be a large dry matter loss

Example: 65% moisture Corn Silage 2000 lbs of AF feed1300 lbs H2O & 700 lbs of DM 10% Shrink loss = 200 lbs lost feed1.5% Shrink from water evaporation = 30 lbs2% Feed-out shrink = 26 lbs of water & 14 lbs of DM200 lbs – 56 lbs water = 144 lbs of DM lost

Real Cost of this shrink 144 lbs * $.0546 = $7.86 

DM loss = (144 lbs DM/700 lbs DM)* 100 = 20.5% 

Courtesy of Brian Holmes – UW Ext.

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Stewart, MN(800) 422-3649

New Richmond, WI(800) 472-6925

Three simple management changes:

1. Applied an inoculant at the forage harvester.

2. Increased the DM density by 3 to 4 lbs/ft3.

3. Provided a very effective seal.

Case Study:Simple steps put into practice @ aBeef operation in the High Plains

Solution?

Keith Bolsen Ph.D. & Associates Ration Ration, % DM, % DM, % Daily DM intake, lbs

ingredients DM basis Before2 After2 Before After

Corn silage 87.5 0.33 0.33 14.87 14.87

Other grain or supplement 12.5 0.88 0.88 2.13 2.13

Total 100 17.00 17.00

Cattle live wt, $ per lb 1.00 Change

Daily live wt gain, lbs 2.27 0.11 2.38

Daily DM intake, lbs 17.00 0 17.00

Ration DM per lb of gain, lbs 7.50 0.25 7.25

Lbs of ‘As fed’ Silage per lb of gain 19.32 0.65 18.67

DM recovery, % of the crop ensiled 0.775 0.075 0.85

Gain per ton of ‘as-fed’ crop ensiled, lbs 80.2 91.1

Extra gain per ton of ‘as-fed’ crop ensiled, lbs 10.9

Value of extra gain per ton of ‘as-fed’ crop ensiled, $ Value/ton 10.90

Cost of silage management changes, $ per ton 2.50

Net benefit per ton of ‘as-fed’, whole-plant corn ensiled, $ Profit/ton 8.40

Economic results from case study in High Plains

Examples of poorly managed forage Examples of poorly managed forage

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Examples of poorly managed forage Examples of well managed forage

Examples of well managed forage

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Stewart, MN(800) 422-3649

New Richmond, WI(800) 472-6925

Secure Cover gravel bags

Steps to Achieving Single Digit Shrink

1. Research & choose the correct forage hybrid

2. Understand your storage facility strengths and weaknesses & manage accordingly.

3. Proper harvesting practices• Maintain and properly size harvest equipment

4. Apply the correct FAF additive; inoculant or preservative

5. Pack properly to achieve a high DM density score

6. Provide an effective seal

7. Properly manage exposed feed during feed-out• Improve feed conversion by not feeding surface spoiled

silage.

Proper Harvesting

• Maturity/Nutrient level• Moisture

• Fermentation microbes need moisture to grow

• Corn Silage: 65-70% optimum, 62-75% acceptable

• Dry silages: slow, restricted fermentation

• Length of chop • For processed corn silage, the

recommended chop length is 3/4 inch

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CSPS Corn Silage Processing Score

• Sometimes referred to as kernel processing score or KPS

• Research demonstrates that a higher KPS increases total tract starch digestibility (TTSD) reducing fecal starch

• Undigested CS starch results in lower microbial protein concentration in the rumen reducing animal performance

Source: Kory Duerst & Keith Bryan – Published Aug 2015 Progressive Dairyman

The effects of WP moisture & kernel processing on corn silage quality

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44

Milk / Ton

Dry Matter

Milk/ton verses DM

Unprocessed Processed

Beef Producers cannot afford “NOT” to use microbial technology during tough

economic times

Apply the correct FAF inoculant or preservative

Inoculants

Over 25,000 silos

1,000 silages

200 Laboratory Studies

Kansas State University Research

Bacterial inoculants were beneficial in over90% of the comparisons

Economic Value

• 19 studies conducted with Corn Silage• 1.3% increase in DM recovery

• 1.8% more efficient gains

• Produced 3.6 lbs more gain/ton of crop ensiled with beef cattle

• 3.6 lbs x $1.20/lb = $4.32 added value/ton of corn silage

Kansas State University Research

(Source: Direct-fed Microbial, Enzyme & Forage Compendium)

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Effects of inoculant on silage quality

South Dakota University Research

Treated Non-treated

Trial # 1 68.5% 65.7%

Trial # 2 71.2% 67.7%

DM Digestibility Study

Journal of Animal Science, R. Luther, SDSU

Why are Inoculants Beneficial?

• Profitable: As high as 15:1 ROI• Research Proven• Faster, More Efficient Fermentation

• Basically Directing Fermentation

• Produce More Lactic Acid

• Improve DM recovery, 2‐6%

• Improve Forage Quality…often overlooked

• Improve Aerobic Stability; (Product specific)

• Improve animal performance, 3‐5% (Richard Muck, US Dairy Forage Research Center, Madison)

Proper Filling: Bunkers or Trenches• Pack Tightly

- Spread layers to 6 inches or less for tight compaction

- target porosity score of less than 40

- as fed density greater than 45 lbs/ft.³

- DM density of 14-22 lbs./ft.³

- Thumb rule; 800 lbsof packing weight for everyton being delivered to the bunk/hr.

Cargill Confidential © 2009 CAN  K.A. Ruppel

Cargill Confidential © 2009 CAN  K.A. Ruppel

How much tractor weight transfers through the forage?

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

Front Wheel Back Wheel

0358

IMPACT POINT: Always keep six inches or less under tires.

Packing Procedure

• Procedure is very critical to success• Layer thickness, thicker layers trap more oxygen• Thicker layers reduce effective packing weight.• Elevation of wedge can effect packing pressure• Push tractor should be packing while truck is dumping• Pushing tractor vs. packing tractor • Pushing equipment size can present challenges

Oxygen is the enemy….

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Calculating Packing Ramp Length

(assuming wt of unpacked feed = 30 lbs/cubic ft) 

• Total lbs of feed being pushed divided by 15 lbs = 6” layer for each foot traveled forward…. Then Divide by width of blade = length of ramp needed.

• 30,000 lbs /15 lbs /14ft blade = 142 ft ramp length needed to maintain 6” layer

• Calculator to Determine Length on Bunker/Pile Silo Floor to Achieve a Given Forage Layer Thickness….WIEX Website

Situation: 30,000 lbs of feed, 400 hp tractor,14’ X 6’ blade, 6” desired layer thickness…..

How many ft does the push tractor have to travel to deliver the desired layer thickness?

..\Storage Calculators.xls

Corn Silage DM loss in Bunkers

Silage Density (lbs DM/cu ft) % DM loss at 180 days

10 20.2

14 16.8

15 15.9

16 15.1

18 13.4

22 10.0

Ruppel JDS, 1992

Unique Packing Ideas & Equipment

5 percent shrink to 2,500 tons equates of silage saved = $100,000 savings

1. DM density score improved from 14 lbs/cubic ft to 24 lbs

2. Shrink reduced from 12% to 7%

Unique Packing Ideas & Equipment

Unique Packing Ideas & EquipmentUnique Packing Ideas & Equipment

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Unique Packing Ideas & Equipment

Proper Covering: Bunkers or TrenchesWhen covered properly, improved preservation of feed quality provides a return on investment of $8 for every $1 spent for bunker coverage

Silo management

1 2

3

What is the economic impact ofthese management practices?

Surface-spoilage

Feed it?or

Pitch it?

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7 inches

15 inches

14 inches

K-State Silage Team’s Research with Surface-spoilage: 1997-1999

Feeding rates of Spoiled CS of

0, 5.4, 10.7 16 percent on DM basis.

Key Results

1. Depressed DM intake.2. Destroyed the forage mat in the rumen.3. Reduced fiber digestibility dramatically.

Surface-spoilage

Source: Whitlock et al., 2000

NDF Digestibility

50

52

54

56

58

60

62

64

0 5.4 10.7 16

Linear difference

Digestibility, %

5.4%

16%

Whitlock et al., 2000

0%

10.7%

Silage facer was used Fork was used to remove all top spoilage

Only the best quality feed is presented to the animal

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Managing & Treating HM Corn & Snaplage

• What needs to be considered• Moisture of the feed• Mold, Mycotoxin, & Yeast loads• How the feed is processed• Type of storage facility• Feed removal rate• Feed-bunk requirements or

expectations

Challenges/Risks associated with HMC

• Harvesting too dry• Poor fermentation• Reduced starch digestibility• More susceptible to heating & spoilage

• Storage• Packing, covering, and face management must be

excellent to reduce shrink loss• Feed-out rate too slow• Controlling rodents

HM Shelled Corn Considerations

• HMSC below 25% moisture should not be stored in a bunker, bag, or conventional silo.

• If you open sieves and allow more cob and trash then higher moisture, (28 – 30%) content is required for safe storage.

• If moisture is added a rule‐of‐thumb is to add 3.5 gallons of water/ton for each point of moisture

HM Shelled Corn Considerations

• Processing: is critical for proper packing & fermentation

• May be a better option than snaplage in years with a heavy mold or mycotoxin load

Effect of moisture & processing on feed value for finishing cattle

Moisture Content Whole Rolled Ground

18 – 22%DMI, lb/day 19.68 19.5 18.9

ADG, lb/day 2.95 2.77 2.69

Feed/gain 6.79 7.3 7.1

23 – 26%DMI, lb/day ‐‐ 18.7 19.4

ADG, lb/day ‐‐ 2.75 2.7

Feed/gain ‐‐ 6.91 7.29

> 27%DMI, lb/day ‐‐ 17.1 17.3

ADG, lb/day ‐‐ 2.97 2.59

Feed/gain ‐‐ 5.86 6.77

Owens, 1994

• HMSC w/o trash or cob: 25 – 35% moisture • Good LAB inoculant like Sile Tech or Pro Store WSC• Historical challenges with aerobic stability; Pro Store WSB

with Buchneri or Crop Cure Preservative

• HMSC with cob & trash: 28 – 38% moisture• Pro Store WSB with Buchneri or Crop Cure Preservative• Typically do not recommend an LAB in this situation

• Crop Cure treatment rate will vary depending on environment & stress load.

• 4 – 8 lbs of Crop Cure/ton is recommended• 1.5 – 2 gallons of Crop Cure 2/ton

Properly treating HM Shelled Corn is the key to success

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Stewart, MN(800) 422-3649

New Richmond, WI(800) 472-6925

Cold Temperature; frozen layer on top of bunker created chunks  

HMSC treated with Pro Store WSB

Snaplage Popularity

• Capitalize on SPFH investment

• Today’s cutters are bigger, faster & KP’s are much better

• No need for a Combine or outsource the service

• Development of effective inoculants and preservatives

• Costs 25 – 30% less than combining and running through some sort of

processing equipment

Snaplage Popularity

• 15 – 25% increase in DM yields vs. HMSC• Reduces “ear drop” & harvest shrink

• Earlier harvest; reduces risks associated with fall/winter weather

• Allows for earlier fall manure application 

Snaplage Challenges

• Mycotoxin loads; higher in husks & trash

• Nutrient Variation• Processing score can vary

• Animal sorting 

• Amount of upper plant trash can vary from 1 ‐22 % according to U of Idaho, factors include;

• Hybrid, moisture, type of snapper head, snapper head adjustment, time of day harvested.

• Wetter/Greener hybrids usually have higher trash

Snaplage – Keys to Success

• Effectively monitor whole cob moisture.  Waiting for black layer to form is not always accurate.

• Kernel moisture 35 – 38%

• Entire ear moisture 35 – 45% (recommend 40%)

• Negative reputation• Often compared to HMEC 

• Historically harvested too dry 

• Cob/fiber digestibility will decline rapidly as much as 20 – 40% in just 2 ‐ 3 weeks.

Soderlund, 2006

Snaplage – Keys to Success

• Must be processed extremely well• Prefer fine‐tooth rolls:

• Set @ 2 mm

• Set roll differential as high as possible, 20 – 40%

• Limited data has been collected on correct micron size

• Chopping length should be set as short as possible

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Snaplage – Keys to Success

• Correct additive choice is critical  • 35 – 45% Moisture: Pro Store  WSB with Buchneri or Crop Cure preservative/aerobic stabilizer 

• < 35% Moisture: Must use a preservative like Crop Cure 

• < 30% Would not recommend 

• If harvested & stored properly this can be an excellent high quality feed source

Safety First

At 3:45 pm on December 3, 1999, 6 tonsof haylage in a bunker silo collapsed onNick Schriner of Athens, Wisconsin.Schriner was rescued in a matter ofminutes, but he suffered a C6 spinal cordinjury. Nick is a quadriplegic for life.

Successful Farming, September 2000

Surviving A Silage Avalanche

The pile that “got” DeGroffwas picture perfect, he says.In fact, he’d taken this picturejust minutes beforeit collapsed on him.

Doug DeGroff feels“blessed” that he cameaway from a silage pilecollapse with a broken backand nothing more serious.

Although he didn’t know it then,the nutritionist had broken hisback, would make two trips andspend 12 days in the hospital, weara back brace for 58 days and haveblood clotting issues because of hisinjuries.

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Safety First

• Do you discuss bunker silo and drive‐over pile ‘safety issues’ with your TEAM?

• It’s really not about shrink loss, feed conversion, cost of gain, close outs, or milk over feed cost.

It’s about sending all your employees home to their families SAFE, EVERYDAY

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Questions