Goal:  Maintain maximum quantity and quality of high moisture corn throughout the storage structure.  This enhances feed efficiency and milk production and reduces the cost of milk production.

Forage Investment Benefits: 

Controlling heating and mold spore growth in high moisture corn is extremely important.  Controlling harvest and  storage will help to ensure high quality product throughout the structure.

Harvest Recommendations

• Ensile ground ear corn or rolled/cracked shell corn.  Crop Cure® or Crop Cure 2 is not recommended for use with whole shell corn.

• Allow the corn to fully mature.  High moisture corn should be harvested at full dent stage with the black layer on the kernel fully developed.

• High moisture corn must be harvested and stored under strict moisture conditions from 25-35%.

• Ensiling below 25% moisture or improper grinding may result in loss of the entire contents of the silo. Ensiling over 32% moisture may result in somewhat sour, unpalatable ensiled corn.

• Doors must be sealed securely.

• Always use a silo cap.  Silo should be filled as rapidly as possible —ideally within 2 days, maximum 4 days.  This allows for better compaction and limits the amount of oxygen that mixes with the corn during harvest.

• Even distribution of the corn within the silo is very important.

• Silos should be checked for cracks and air spaces near all silo doors.  If air is allowed to enter the silo, excessive mold growth can occur. 

• If there is a drain in the silo, it must be plugged.