Corn Silage

Soil Fertility and Management Harvesting
Hybrid Selection Ensiling
Management Economics / Budgets
Moisture Dry Down Results  Quality / Feeding


Soil Fertility and Management
 

Soil erosion concerns after silage harvest  
by Francisco Arriaga, UW Extension Soil Scientist

Nutrient Application Guidelines for Field, Vegetable and Fruit Crops
UW Extension Bulletin A2809 – available for viewing only in a .pdf format. Provides current soil test and fertilizer recommendations for all field crops.

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Hybrid selection

Wisconsin Corn Hybrid Performance Trials – Grain and Silage – available in or spreadsheet format

Corn Silage Hybrid Selection
by Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist

Corn Silage Hybrid Effects on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows
by M. A. Bal, R. D. Shaver, H. Al-Jobeile, J. G. Coors (emeritus), and J. G. Lauer

Selecting Corn Silage Hybrid Maturities
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager, May, 2005

Brown Midrib Corn Silage for Lactating Dairy Cows: A Contemporary Review
by Hidir Gencoglu, Randy Shaver and Joe Lauer, Departments of Dairy Science and Agronomy, UW-Madison

Farming for Nitrogen: Intercropping Corn and Kura Clover
by Ken Albrecht, Tyson Ochsner, and Bob Berkevich; Proc. of 2009 Wisconsin Crop Management Conference, Vol. 48

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Management

Record When a Field Tassels to Predict Corn Silage Harvest Date
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, July, 2013

How Late Can I Plant Corn?
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, June, 2013

Switch Dates For Corn Silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, May, 2013

Corn plant density for maximum grain and silage production
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, April, 2009

Planting Corn in June and July! – What can you expect?
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, June, 2008

Planting Corn for Silage After a First-Cut Alfalfa Harvest – Updated June, 2014
by Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent – Fond du Lac Co., Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Agronomist, and Mark Renz, UW-Extension Weed Management Specialist. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.

Planting Corn For Silage Following Winter-Killed Alfalfa
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, April, 2003

Drought Stress Reduces Corn Silage Yield More Than Quality
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, August, 2007

Impact of Defoliation on Corn Forage Quality
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, August, 2007

Managing Corn Silage on Highly Erodible Land
Follow-up comments
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, April and June, 2002

How Late Should Corn Be Planted For Silage Production?
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, May, 1999

Corn Silage Response to Planting Date
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, June, 1998

How Thick Should I Plant My Corn for Corn Silage Production?
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, April, 1997

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Corn Silage Dry Down Results

Wisconsin Corn Silage Dry Down Results
Results from county corn silage dry down programs. Sort by county or region.

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Harvesting

Corn Silage Processing: Dairy Farm Survey
by G. Salvati, R. Shaver, M. Lippert, E. Ronk, and C. Wacek-Driver

Update on Corn Shredlage for Dairy Cows
by L Vanderwerff, G. Salvati, L. Ferraretto, and R. Shaver, Dairy Science Dept.-UW Madison

Corn Silage Harvesting Considerations
by Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist

Harvesting and Feeding Guidelines for Corn Silage
by Pat Hoffman (emeritus) and Randy Shaver, Dairy Science and J. Lauer, Agronomy, UW-Madsion; Greg Blonde, Waupaca Co UW-Extension, July 2012

Harvesting Barren and Poorly Pollinated Corn
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, July, 2012

Options for Double-Cropping Barren Corn by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, July, 2012

Making Sure Your Kernel Processor is Doing Its Job
A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet written by Kevin J. Shinners, UW-Madison Ag Engineer, and Brian Holmes (emeritus), UW Extension Ag Engineer

On-farm Moisture Testing of Corn Silage (Updated May, 2012)
by Dr. John Peters, former Director- UW Soil and Forage Testing Lab, Marshfield Ag Research Station. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet

Corn Shredlage for Dairy Cows  
A “Focus on Forage” Fact Sheet by Luis Ferraretto and Randy Shaver,UW Extension Dairy Scientist

The Relationship between Corn Grain Yield and Forage Yield: Effect of Moisture, Hybrid and Environment
by Dr. Joe Lauer,UWEX Agronomy Advice , December 2006

Calculating Grain Yield Utilizing a Corn Silage Forage Test  
by Matt Lippert, Wood County UW-Extension Agriculture Agent

Adjusting the Forage Harvester for Corn Silage Particle Size
by Dr. Ron Schuler (emeritus), UW Extension Ag Engineer

Crop Processor Adjustment for Corn Silage  
by Dr. Ron Schuler (emeritus), UW Extension Ag Engineer

Crop Processing and Chop Length of Corn Silage: Effects on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Rehydration of Corn Forage Standing in the Field
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, January, 2004

Uneven Maturity at Corn Harvest – Handling Silage and Grain
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, September, 2001

Estimating the Weight of Forage in a Forage Wagon
A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet by Dan Wiersma, former Marshfield Ag Research Station Asst. Supt and Brian Holmes (emeritus), UW-Extension Ag Engineer.

Predicting Corn Silage Harvest Dates
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, August, 2000

Contract Feed Production Arrangements
by Joe Stellato, former Shawano County Crops and Soils Agent

What Can We Learn from the Corn Forage Drydown During 1998?
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, March 1999

Timing Corn Silage Harvesting and Custom Operators
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, August 1997

Corn Silage Yield and Quality Trade-Offs When Changing Cutting Height
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, December, 1998

Kernel Milkline: How Should We Use It for Harvesting Silage?
by Dr. Joe Lauer,UWEX Agronomy Advice , April 1999

Harvesting Silage at the Correct Moisture
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, September 1996

Calculating the Value of Normal and Immature Corn Silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, September 1996

Custom Harvesting Spreadsheet – download as an Excel (*xls) file
This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Gary Frank, allows you to help determine your forage harvesting costs vs. custom operator charges.

Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle, Sheep and Goats
Written by several UW-Extension Forage and Animal Specialists

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Ensiling

Corn Silage Ensiling Considerations
by Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist

Microbial Inoculants for Silage
by Francisco Contreras-Govea, former UW Agronomy Research Associate, and Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.
Español version: Inoculantes Microbiales para ensilaje

Lactobacillus buchneri for Silage Aerobic Stability
by David Combs and Pat Hoffman (emeritus), UW Dairy Scientists. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.

Adding Anhydrous Ammonia to Corn Silage
by Dr. Ron Schuler, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept. (retired). A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.

Drive-Over Silage Pile Construction
UWEX Bulletin A3511

Prevent Hay Mow and Silo Fires
UWEX Bulletin A2805

Factors Affecting Bunker Silo Densities  
by Dr. Brian Holmes, UW Biological Systems Engineering Dept., and
Dr. Richard Muck, USDA Dairy-Forage Research Center

Influence of Ensiling on the Digestibility of Whole-Plant Corn Silage
A “Focus on Forage” Fact Sheet by Luis Ferraretto and Randy Shaver,UW Extension Dairy Scientist, and Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Agronomist.

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Economics and Budgeting

New Extension Mobile App for Pricing Standing Corn Silage
The article above introduces a new free Android app developed by UW-Extension agriculture agents Greg Blonde and Ryan Sterry that will help you to quickly estimate the value of standing corn silage, August 2016

Corn Silage Pricing Free Android App
Click the link above for a free download of the corn silage pricing app through Google Play

UWEX Corn Silage Pricing Decision Aid (revised September, 2014)
This spreadsheet developed by Ryan Sterry, Polk Co. Agriculture Agent; Lee Milligan, former St. Croix Co. Agriculture Agent; and Joe Lauer, UW-Extension Corn Agronomist, helps to determine a price for standing and harvested corn silage.

Pricing Corn Silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, September, 2013

Pricing Drought Stressed Corn Silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist, July, 2012

Dairy Feed: A New Cash Crop
A presentation given by Mike Rankin, Fond du Lac Co. UW-Extension Crops and Soils Agent, at the 2006 Fertilizer, Ag Lime, and Pest Management Conference.

Economics of Alfalfa and Corn Silage Rotations
This paper, written by Extension Educator Ken Barnett, looks at the economics of various rotation options using alfalfa and corn silage.

Buying and Selling Corn Silage: What’s a fair price?  
This paper, written by Greg Blonde, Waupaca Co. Agricultural Agent, evaluates several methods to value corn silage.

Pricing Drought Stressed Corn Silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist et al.

Negotiating the Value of Immature Corn Silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, September, 2004

Calculating the value of corn silage
by Dr. Joe Lauer, Wisconsin Crop Manager Article, September, 1994

Contracting Corn Silage Acres
Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent, UW-Extension-Fond du Lac County
Includes a table for pricing corn silage at various moisture levels.

Choosing Between Alfalfa and Corn Silage …or when do you trade Medicago for Maize?
Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent, UW-Extension-Fond du Lac County

Estimating the Value of Standing Corn for Corn Silage
Gary Frank, retired Farm Management Specialist, UW-Madison, Center for Dairy Profitability

Equipment Sharing and Other Joint Ventures
Gary Frank, retired Farm Management Specialist, UW-Madison, Center for Dairy Profitability

Corn Silage vs. Alfalfa Spreadsheet  
This spreadsheet, developed by Jim Leverich, offers dairymen the opportunity to compare expense and income for producing and feeding different amounts of corn silage and alfalfa.

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Quality and Feeding

Update on Corn Shredlage for Dairy Cows
A “Focus on Forage” Fact Sheet by L Vanderwerff,  L. Ferraretto, G. Salvati and R. Shaver, Dept. of Dairy Science, UW Madison

Corn Silage Processing: Dairy Farm Survey
by G. Salvati, R. Shaver, M. Lippert, E. Ronk, and C. Wacek-Driver

Update on Starch Utilization by Dairy Cows
by Randy Shaver, UW -Extension Dairy Scientist

Corn Silage Feeding Considerations
by Joe Lauer, UW Extension Corn Agronomist

Opportunities to Improve Starch Digestibility on Dairy Farms  
by Abby Huibregtse-former Oconto County Agriculture Agent, Randy Shaver and Patrick Hoffman (emeritus), UW-Extension Dairy Scientists.

FeedVal – 2017
by Victor Cabrera, Lou Armentano and Randy Shaver, UW-Madison dairy scientists. This up to date version of FeedVal is web based and allows the user to evaluate various feedstuffs based on summative ingredient value.

Corn Shredlage for Dairy Cows
A “Focus on Forage” Fact Sheet by Luis Ferraretto and Randy Shaver,UW Extension Dairy Scientist

Results of UW-Madison Corn Shredlage Feeding Trial
by Luis Ferraretto and Randy Shaver,UW Extension Dairy Scientist

Degree of Starch Access (DSA): Starch Digestion in Forages and Grains Fed to Dairy Cattle
by Pat Hoffman (emeritus) and Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientists, A “Focus on Forage” Fact Sheet.

Milk2006 for Corn Silage
This spreadsheet, developed by Dr. Randy Shaver, Dr. Joe Lauer, Dr. Jim Coors, and Pat Hoffman (emeritus), is the latest version of the “MILK” series spreadsheets. It more accurately estimates the feeding value of corn silage than past versions.

Crop Processing and Chop Length of Corn Silage: Effects on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Influence of Mechanical Processing on Utilization of Corn Silage by Lactating Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Processing and Chop Length Effects in Brown-Midrib Corn Silage on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Stage of Maturity, Processing, and Hybrid Effects on Ruminal In Situ Disappearance of Whole-Plant Corn Silage
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Corn Silage Hybrid Effects on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Can we manage corn silage stover quality?
by Dr. Joe Lauer, UWEX Agronomy Advice, December, 2003

The Effect of Maturity on NDF Digestibility
by Pat Hoffman (emeritus), UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Marshfield Ag Research Station, et al. A “Focus on Forage” Fact Sheet.

Agronomic Considerations for Molds and Mycotoxins in Corn Silage
by Mike Rankin, Crops and Soils Agent, UW-Extension-Fond du Lac County and Craig Grau (emeritus), Extension Plant Pathologist – UW Madison. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet. For full length, referenced paper: click here

Interpretation and Use of Silage Fermentation Analysis Reports
by Limin Kung, University of Delaware, and Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.

Estimating Silage Energy and Milk Yield to Rank Corn Hybrids
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist et al.

Feeding to Minimize Acidosis and Laminitis in Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist

Supplementation of High Corn Silage Diets for Dairy Cows
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist

Effect of Corn Shredlage on Lactation Performance and Total Tract Starch Digestibility by Dairy Cows
by L.F. Ferraretto and Dr. Randy Shaver, Department of Dairy Science, UW Madison

Impact of the Maturity of Corn for Use as Silage in the Diets of Dairy Cows on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, et al.

Adding Enzymes to Silage 
by Pat Hoffman (emeritus), UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Marshfield Ag Research Station and Richard Muck, USDA Dairy Forage Research Center. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.

Adding Urea to Corn Silage 
by Pat Hoffman (emeritus), UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Marshfield Ag Research Station. A “Focus on Forage” fact sheet.

Corn Silage Harvest Management
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist, Dr. Joe Lauer, UW Extension Agronomist and Dr. Kevin Shinners, UW Ag Engineer

Role of Forages in Dairy Diets
by Dr. Randy Shaver, UW Extension Dairy Scientist

FeedVal v6.0
Predicted dairy feed prices and rankings for January 2016 – Calculated from protein (RUP & RDP),  energy contained in milk produced (NEL), fiber (peNDF), and general wholesale FOB Midwest input prices. Analysis performed by V.E. Cabrera, P. Hoffman and R. Shaver. 

 

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