Producing high quality milk maintains consumer confidence. The digestible nutrient content of corn harvested as silage is generally higher than that of other silage crops. The management involved when harvesting corn for silage is usually less critical than with other silage crops. Studies at Penn State and elsewhere indicate that no appreciable improvement in digestibility can be expected by extra processing of silage corn that is harvested at the recommended stage of maturity. Rolling, crushing, grinding, or recutting at ensiling time does not appreciably alter digestibility.
Some farmers make silage of the stalks after the ears are picked or the grain is harvested.
This material is a satisfactory feed for beef cattle when properly supplemented. Its greatest use is for wintering beef cows. To ensure satisfactory ensiling and preserving with this material, it may be necessary to add water at time of ensiling. Moisture content can be estimated by the stage of kernel development. Kernel development can be characterized by the position of the kernel milk line.