When is maize mature for silage? The demand for higher silage quality and the new maturity classification of silage maize.

摘要

The maturity of maize for silage production is discussed with reference to the FAO maturity grade, characteristics of a high quality maize silage, the definition of silage ripeness, dry matter content, cultivar choice and harvesting date. Silage ripeness is defined as when the storage of starch in the grain is complete, with as much as possible of the vegetative part of the plant still alive.