This year, corn silage quality is variable due to when you planted your corn, says Henry Holdorf, dairy nutritionist with Purina Animal Nutrition. But in general, across the state, he says he’s noticing lower fiber digestibility, specifically neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility.
NDF digestibility is important because it can help determine how well a cow can use feed material, which can positively impact milk production. Holdorf explains with a wet spring, corn grew fast and tall, so the yield looks good, but the overall quality is lower than last year.
Between lower fiber digestibility in corn silage and rain delays that held back haylage, overall forage quality is low, says Holdorf. He advises dairy farmers to look into alternative feeds like soyhulls and corn gluten feed. These substitutes are at a good price right now and can improve the digestibility of the whole diet, he says.
If milk production isn’t where you want it, explore these options, Holdorf advises. Talk to your nutritionist to see if they make economic sense.
One of the questions that Holdorf is getting from his customers is: At what height should growers cut corn silage? He says it can be difficult to change your routine, but farmers should consider raising the cutting height to improve the digestibility of the fiber and starch content. The decision should come down to whether you have enough corn silage to chop so that you won’t short yourself on inventory.
