Due to below-average moisture and fall forage growth in 2024, many cattle farmers are considering corn silage for winter feed, especially with this year’s bumper corn crop. While hay supplies are plentiful, corn silage may be an attractive option for some, though it requires careful consideration, especially for those new to using it.
Pricing Corn Silage
Corn silage is typically priced at 10-12 times the price of a bushel of corn. With current corn prices around $4 per bushel, corn silage can be expected to cost between $45 and $50 per ton, or $136 to $151 per ton of dry feed, which includes the moisture content that corn silage retains. While this may be higher than grass hay priced at $40-$60 per round bale, corn silage provides significantly more digestible nutrients than grass hay.
When compared by total digestible nutrients (TDN), corn silage at 70% TDN offers a better price-per-pound of TDN than grass hay, which typically provides around 55% TDN. This nutrient density makes corn silage a cost-effective choice despite its initial cost.
Storage and Shelf Life Considerations
Proper storage is essential for preserving corn silage quality. Corn silage must be packed to remove oxygen, promoting anaerobic fermentation that prevents spoilage. However, once exposed to air, mold and microbial growth can quickly degrade the silage’s nutritional quality. Regular weekly deliveries are recommended to avoid creating a secondary storage pile that can lose value or spoil.
Feeding and Nutritional Balance
Corn silage contains a mix of forage and grain, making it a complete feed without the need for additional hay. However, it can be slightly low in crude protein, so a balanced ration of nine parts corn silage to one part dried distillers grains is suggested for optimal nutrition for cows, calves, or other livestock.
Because corn silage is a wet feed, cows consume much larger quantities by weight. Large-framed, fall-calving cows may eat up to 80 pounds of corn silage daily. Accurate portioning is essential, as free-choice feeding can lead to waste and overconsumption.
Transportation and Practical Use
Transportation of corn silage is best kept within a 20-mile range, as the high moisture content increases freight costs over longer distances. For farmers with limited equipment, hay may still be the more cost-effective option if they need to purchase feed this fall and winter.
Summary
Corn silage can be a valuable feed option for cattle operations equipped to manage its storage, transportation, and daily feeding requirements. While it provides high nutritional value, it requires careful handling and may not always be cheaper than hay, particularly for those far from corn-growing areas.
