FACTORS AFFECTING CORN SILAGE QUALITY

摘要

Many factors can affect the quality of corn silage fed to ruminants. For example, corn hybrids can vary markedly in their yield of nutrients per hectare and their nutritive value for dairy or beef applications. Newer silage varieties are high in NDF digestibility, which drives dry matter intakes. Management techniques during harvest and storage can also alter the quality of corn silage. Wilting to correct moistures and chopping forages to optimum particle lengths will help during the silo packing process, encourage a good fermentation, and provide adequate amounts of effective fiber to the diet. High cutting of corn silage is currently being investigated but no recommendations can be made until more research is completed. Mechanical processing of corn silage can help to improve nutritive value by increasing starch and fiber digestion. Once in the silo, rapid packing to recommended densities and excluding air from the forage mass stimulates a more optimal fermentation in the silo. To help with the ensiling process, microbial inoculation encourages a more efficient fermentation. Buffered propionic acid-based additives can help with improving the aerobic stability of corn silages. Silage additives should be added such that they are distributed evenlythroughout the forage mass. Covering bunk and pile silos with plastic is a cost efficient mechanism to save nutrients during storage. Finally, good silo face management can also help to maintain corn silages with a high nutritive value.