Corn silage is the most economical feed that dairymen incorporate in their total mix ration (TMR). This means that we should feed the highest amount of corn silage possible and still balance the TMR.

Recent advances in the art and science of harvesting and preserving corn silage have proved to be very valuable. It is well known that corn silage should be harvested between 60 and 72% moisture. I think veterinarians should probably purchase a chopper that is normally used to chop up tree branches. This chopper could be used to chop stalks of corn. Samples of the chopped corn could then be tested for moisture. This moisture test should be performed daily until moisture gets down to 72 to 70 %. This harvest point is critical. Dairymen must begin harvesting corn silage as soon as possible. Some years corn drops in moisture from 70% to below 60% in just a few days. Corn silage harvested below 60% moisture causes multiple health and production problems. Dairymen will appreciate Veterinarians helping with this critically important moisture test.

The use of silage inoculants has proven to be beneficial. Inoculants have several strains of lactic acid bacteria along with other ingredients. The inoculants keep the temperature of the corn silage from rising too high during the process of fermentation. This helps protect protein and other heat sensitive nutrients from heat degradation. It is important to purchase an inoculant that has proven to be beneficial in a number of other dairies. There appears to be significant variation in effectiveness among the different brands of silage inoculants.

Recent research has clearly shown that spoiled silage mixed in with the TMR significantly reduces DMI. This means it pays every farmer to remove the top 6 to 10 inches of spoiled silage from all silage piles. Removal of the layer of spoiled silage on large silage piles is predicted to become more common in the U.S. following publication of this research.

There are many details involved in making and feeding high quality corn silage. Attention to these details results in higher quality corn silage. This is always cost effective because it increases DMI and milk production.