Optimizing Corn Silage: Planting Decisions

Optimizing Corn Silage: Planting Decisions

Niraj Suresh and Fabiana Cardoso Animal & 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.

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.

References

1. Lawrence, J. (2022). Corn Silage: From Seed to Feed. Hoard and Sons.
2. University of Minnesota Extension. (N.D.). Corn Planting. Crop Production.

This article appears on September 2024, in Volume 5, Issue 2, of the Maryland Milk Moos newsletter.