Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Ideas on Dry Corn Silage

• Adjust for dry matter content in TMR rations (test forages often)
• Provide adequate water supply (cows will drink more when the ration is dry), and consider adding water to the TMR if haylage is also dry (aim for a TMR around 50% dry matter)
• Do a smell and visual check for mold in the silage
• If herd production or health is impaired, check for mycotoxins
• Emphasize that reducing storage losses depends on ensiling at the correct moisture, regardless of seasonal conditions
• Suggest a check of silo integrity
• Check silage for heat damage (ADF-N) and make ration adjustments if necessary
• Provide high moisture or finely processed grains to improve energy availability
• Recognize that when silage is dry, more grain will escape digestion and appear in manure; Check manure for grain load
• Consider lowering the energy value of dry corn silage from the feed analysis if large amounts of grain are appearing in manure
• Consider silage processing at the silo (temporary) or in the field (with any dry silage) to reduce corn escaping digestion
• Process grain finely so that energy availability is ensured
• Monitor dry matter intake, as dry silage may be moldy and reduce intake of the ration or TMR
• Mycotoxins may reduce immune system function, so fortify the ratio with 0.5 to 0.75 kg of additional protein, and Vitamin E (an extra 500 to 1500 IU per cow per day, depending on base ration levels)

Last Reviewed: August 5, 2003