This crop will likely be higher in protein than normal silage and lower in energy. Some pre-harvest forage testing may be appropriate to assess the quality, the level of nitrates, and the potential use of the forage. If it were to rain, fields that have some recovery potential could produce some good quality silage. The potential is greatest for high nitrate levels in young plants, especially in the stalks and especially in heavily manured fields. The potential is generally greatest for 3-4 days following a drought ending rain, but can be a problem anytime.
High nitrates can contribute to animal feed problems and deadly silo gas.
Producers should be especially cautious when filling silos with these suspect crops. Because the nitrate potential can be reduced through ensiling, grazing, round baling and green chopping drought stressed corn are less desirable harvesting alternatives. On some fields it may be a tossup. To achieve this yield may require corn about two feet tall. Grain producers in the worst areas may need to be identifying silage markets for their crop.