Optimizing Corn Silage: Planting Decisions
Niraj Suresh¹ and Fabiana Cardoso¹
¹Animal & Avian Sciences, University of Maryland
Corn silage plays a major role in dairy nutrition. For the vast majority of dairy farms in Maryland and then nation, corn silage will make up the majority of the ration. Corn silage is a complex feed, there are several steps that must be taken to make, preserve, and feed high quality corn silage to maximize milk production. These include things such as planting and production of the corn, harvesting and packing the corn plant, storage of the silage, and proper feeding management strategies. This article will focus on different management strategies to consider when planting corn that will have a significant effect on the yield and nutritional value of the crop. Making good silage starts with planting the seed. Proper planting strategies should be a priority. If the corn does not grow, no silage can be made.
The planting decisions we will discuss are:
- Soil Preparation
- Planting Date
- Row Spacing
- Planting Depth
- Seed Spacing
- Soil Preparation
The farmer must ensure proper seed placement and seed to soil contact. In the past, tillage was seen as a necessity. However, in recent years with modern planting technology, corn can be planted in many different soil conditions. Very deep and silt loams with a high moisture capacity seem to give the best corn production. Generally speaking, the better the moisture and drainage of the soil, the better the corn production.
Focal point
- Proper planting techniques are crucial for producing high-quality corn silage.
- High-quality corn silage improves efficiency, production, profitability, herd health, and sustainability of dairy operations.
- Feed costs are the highest for dairy farms, making maximizing corn yield economically beneficial.
Planting Date
The best time frame for planting corn will vary with geographic region. Corn is a summer annual, meaning it will be planted in the Spring, grow throughout the Summer, and be harvested in the Fall. The ideal soil temperature for proper germination is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In Maryland, the soil normally reaches this temperature around late April. Planting at this time will allow for an optimal growth period.
Row Spacing
Row spacing refers to how much distance is in between each row of corn in the field. The standard practice is to plant with a row spacing of 30 inches. Recently there has been considerations to maximize corn yield in a given parcel of land by reducing row spacing and also utilizing twin rows. Use of 15 and 20 inch rows are now being seen. Twin rows are when 2 rows for corn are planted extremely close together and a larger space such as the standard 30 inches will separate the twin rows. Several studies have indicated improved yield when using these 2 methods. It is up to the farmer to consider whether or not reducing row spacing or using twin rows is feasible. Farmers with smaller farms may be more inclined to consider these options.
Planting Depth
The standard depth for planting corn seeds is 2 inches. This allows for ideal germination and is seen in the majority of operations. Generally speaking, the broad range of planting depth for corn will be anywhere from 1.5-3 inches. 1.5 inches can be beneficial in cooler, wetter soils. In warmer, drier soils, planting deeper can be beneficial.
Seed Spacing
Seed spacing will vary with row width and the amount of seeds per acre. One way to calculate seed spacing in inches is by using this equation:
(43,560/seeds per acre) X 12 (row spacing in inches/ 12)
43,560 is the amount of square feet in 1 acre.
Proper planting techniques for corn is the first step in creating a high quality corn silage. High quality corn silage is essential to maximize the efficiency, production, profitability, herd health, and sustainability of a dairy operation. Feed is the number one cost for dairy farms. Maximizing corn yield will allow for considerable economic benefits to dairy farms.
References
- Lawrence, J. (2022). Corn Silage: From Seed to Feed. Hoard and Sons.
- N.A. (N.D.) Corn. Maryland Grain Producers. https://marylandgrain.org/corn/
This article appears on July 2024, in Volume 5, Issue 1 of the Maryland Milk Moos newsletter.
Maryland Milk Moo's, July 2024, Vol. 5, Issue 1
Maryland Milk Moos is a quarterly newsletter published by the University of Maryland Extension that focuses on dairy topics related to Nutrition and Production, Herd Management, and Forage Production.
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