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
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