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C.O.R.N Newsletter 2009-29
     August 31, 2009 - September 7, 2009


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Estimating Preharvest Silage Yields
by Peter Thomison

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Although rainfall during recent weeks has been adequate to plentiful throughout much of Ohio, some localized areas, especially in NW Ohio, have experienced significant rainfall deficits and are, for the most part, very dry. In a recent C.O.R.N. article (August 17-24, 2009), widely used procedures for estimating corn grain yields prior to harvest were described . Grain producers who are considering the costs of harvesting mosture stressed corn as grain vs. silage need to assess yield potential in order to evaluate grain and silage marketing options. Two “quick and dirty” methods for evaluating yield of corn silage are as follows:

Grain yield method for estimating silage yield
For moisture-stressed corn, about 1 ton of silage per acre can be obtained for each 5 bushels of grain per acre. For example, if you expect a grain yield of 50 bushels per acre, you will get about 10 tons/acre of 30% dry matter silage (3 tons/acre dry matter yield). For corn yielding more than 100 bushels per acre, about 1 ton of silage per acre can be expected for each 6 to 7 bushels of grain per acre. For example, corn yielding 125 bushels of grain per acre, corn silage yields will be 18 to 20 tons per acre at 30% dry matter (5 to 6 tons per acre dry matter yield).

Plant height method for estimating silage yield
If little or no grain is expected, a rough estimate of yield can be made assuming that 1 ton of 30% dry matter silage can be obtained for each foot of plant height (excluding the tassel). For example, corn at 3 to 4 feet will produce about 3 to 4 tons per acre of silage at 30% dry matter (about 1 ton per acre of dry matter).

Adapted from: Lauer, Joe. 2006. Concerns about Drought as Corn Pollination Begins
University of Wisconsin. Field Crops 28.493 – 42.

For additional information check:
Weiss, Bill. 2007. Pricing Drought-Stressed Corn Silage C.O.R.N. article (July 30, 2007 - August 6, 2007) [http://corn.osu.edu/index.php?setissueID=195#C]

Utilizing Drought-Damaged Corn (NCH-58) http://www.agcom.purdue.edu/AgCom/Pubs/NCH/NCH-58.html

Readers can subscribe electronically to this newsletter by signing up at http://agcrops.osu.edu/services/email.html. E-mail labarge.1@osu.edu if you have problems subscribing or no longer wish to receive this newsletter.

C.O.R.N. is a summary of crop observations, related information, and appropriate recommendations for Ohio Crop Producers and Industry. C.O.R.N. is produced by the Ohio State University Extension Agronomy Team, State Specialists at The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. C.O.R.N. Questions are directed to State Specialists, Extension Associates, and Agents associated with Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at The Ohio State University.


Information presented above and where trade names are used, they are supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Ohio State University Extension is implied. Although every attempt is made to produce information that is complete, timely, and accurate, the pesticide user bears responsibility of consulting the pesticide label and adhering to those directions.

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.

TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868

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