As the fall weather returns, dairy managers in Illinois face three different situations and alternatives with their corn crop.

Situation 1—Northern Illinois:   An excellent corn crop was developing when areas received 4 to 15 inches of rain resulting in corn submerged in 5 feet of “dirty water” as creeks and river bottom went under water, corn is standing in water for several days, and corn in the upright position trapped water in the husk.  The end results include delayed harvest, mold and mycotoxin formation in the grain, rotting of the corn plant, risk of lodging, dirt contamination on and in the corn plant, and the germination of corn on the cob.  The strategies include harvest when possible at the optimal dry matter content for silage or grain, monitor formation of mycotoxins, and store silage that is convenient to discard if the resulting forage is not wholesome.

Situation 2—Southern Illinois:  Rains stopped in June with some areas not receiving significant moisture in July and August.  The corn crop is burn up and dead ranging from three feet in height, no corn due to pollination and heat stress, and variable grain fill in pollinated cobs (size of the kernel and number of kernels).  Dairy manager alternatives include corn silage chopped in early August and purchase stress corn as a forage extender.  Drought-stressed corn silage can be a good economic decision as hay prices exceed $150 a ton.   Double crop soybeans can be another economic forage source if this crop has not setting pods under heat and moisture stress.

Situation 3—Central Illinois:   Conditions are right for a huge crop with yields over 200 bushels per acre and 25 plus tons of corn silage per acre possible.  Starch content in corn silage could exceed 30 percent of the dry matter.   Forage quality and quantity are excellent.