Situation One: Late corn silage
The main differences will be yield (tons of dry matter per acre) and starch content. Allowing the corn crop to try to reach optimal maturity is recommended (wait as long as the plant is growing). Growing degree days in the fall and a killing frost will be factors that determine how mature your corn is when harvested as corn silage. Target harvesting immature corn silage at 30 to 34 percent dry matter in bags, bunkers, and piles; drier silage (35 to 40 percent dry matter) in vertical structures depending on height and diameter to minimize seepage losses. Testing the immature corn silage for starch content, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) or lignin, soluble nitrogen, and NDF digestibility (NDFD) will allow for optimal ration balancing. Sugar content and NDFD may be improved as the stalk will not contain as much indigestible fiber and sugars were not convert starch. The following corn silage related factors should be considered.
Situation Two: Available immature corn in the area
In some areas, immature corn silage may be available from crop farmers that do not have dairy or beef cattle. With high forage prices this fall, purchasing and harvesting this crop can be an excellent economic alterative for a dairy manager. Key factors will be the price to pay for the standing corn crop, harvesting costs (lower yields and wet conditions can be higher), and potential higher storage losses (seepage and fermentation losses). When pricing standing corn silage, estimate or weigh the dry matter harvested (weighing silage box or truck loads for example) and agree on price per ton ($45 a ton at 33% dry matter). If the silage is wetter (do not buy water) or lower in starch/nutrient content, the prices needs to be lowered
Situation Three: Immature soybeans
With late planting and flooded areas, some soybean fields will not reach maturity and may be available for purchasing fields in your area. Immature soybean forage will be similar to alfalfa/legume forage and should be harvested in a similar approach (cut, wilted, and harvested at similar moisture levels based on your storage unit—bag, bunker, or vertical silo). Baling will be difficult as dry conditions will be less favorable in the late fall. Harvesting soybeans at the pod formation stage will optimize yield (1 to 2 ton of dry matter per acre) and quality (18 percent crude protein and 0.55 to 0.60 Mcal per pound of dry matter). Harvesting earlier will reduce yield. Avoid leaf loss/dropping leading to lower protein content and dry matter yield. Inoculating soybean silage is recommended. Green soybean seed will feed similar to regular soybeans, but can lower in oil and nutrient content. Heat-treating wet and immature soybeans will require more heat and energy to improve rumen undegraded protein (RUP) levels. Check herbicide labels for restrictions if soybeans have been sprayed.
