Salvaging Drought Stressed Corn in Mid-Summer

Salvaging Drought Stressed Corn in Mid-Summer

As drought conditions deepen in South Dakota and the surrounding region, many producers are evaluating the status of their corn crop and feed supplies. In some instances the likelihood of corn making a harvestable grain crop is so low that the best option is to take an early forage harvest.

Nitrate Considerations

First we need to make certain that we aren’t just trading one problem for another by salvaging drought damaged corn. Nitrate accumulation can be a very real issue during drought conditions leading to potential issues with abortions and/or death loss. Testing prior to harvest is the safest approach. Increasing the cutting help also helps as the greatest nitrate concentration tends to be in the lowest portion of the stalk.

Cutting for Silage

Cutting drought-damaged corn for silage is hands down the best harvest option. There is little need to worry about moisture content of the crop plus there is the added advantage of potential reductions in nitrate concentrations during the ensiling process. The feeding value even of short, barren stalks is relatively high as silage, as much as 70 to 80% of normal corn silage. In extreme cases it may be necessary to first windrow the corn use a pickup head for chopping if the crop isn’t tall enough for conventional equipment.

All the management principles for harvesting quality silage still apply with a drought-stressed crop. In fact, a good fermentation is critical to reduce nitrate concentrations. Harvesting at the right moisture content, using proven inoculants, achieving the correct density, and excluding oxygen from the pile or bunker are important steps for maximizing silage value, regardless of the quality of the crop.

Dry Baling?

How about harvesting the corn as dry hay in large round bales? Harvesting corn as dry hay in large bales is not recommended. An SDSU trial conducted during the 2012 drought illustrates some of the reasons why.

Getting corn dry enough to bale poses a key obstacle. Even damaged corn can be much wetter than they look and thick stems take a long time to dry down. In the 2012 trial, the moisture content of the corn plants at the time of cutting was 68.2%. After field curing for 30 days, the crop dried down to 16.2%. Extended curing times can result in increased losses of leaves and husks; which in fact happened in the 2012 trial. If the stalks do not completely dry down, the likelihood of spoilage is high.

Other Options

Another option we evaluated in 2012 was baling the corn at a higher moisture content with bale wrap (baleage). Using that technique was successful, to a point. The resulting feed had 6.4% CP compared to 8.6% at the time of cutting, plus the resulting bales were extremely heavy and difficult to move. Those factors plus the expense of the wrap and the hassle of disposing of the plastic lead one to conclude that harvesting corn as baleage is less than ideal.

The Bottom Line

Drought-damaged corn can be successfully salvaged as livestock feed. Using the best harvest management practices will help capture the best value from the crop.

 

Latest News

Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections
Biden Administration Restores Wildlife Protections

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to reinstate rules protecting endangered plants and animals, action that would reverse changes made during the Trump Administration that weakened the Endangered Species Act.

Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors
Across Breed EPD Adjustment Factors

EPDs from multiple breeds can be compared by adding/subtracting the appropriate adjustment factors to the EPDs resulting from the most recent genetic evaluations for each of 18 breeds.

APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies
APHIS Now Thinks Wild Birds Are to Blame for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza's Arrival on Four U.S. Dairies

The livestock industry continues to grapple with the first confirmed cases of HPAI in cattle, while federal and state agencies continue to assure consumers there's no concern about the safety of the U.S. milk supply.

Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps
Skills Survey Reveals U.S. Agriculture & Food Industry Workforce Needs and Gaps

U.S. employers report challenges in finding suitable job candidates with work-ready skills to fill open roles in ag. The AgCareers.com U.S. Skills Survey offers insights, data and trends to address skill development.

USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims
USDA Authorizes CRP Graze and Hay Donations to Wildfire Victims

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) participants can donate emergency grazing authority to ranchers in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas impacted by recent wildfires.

New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows
New Guide Helps Producers Maximize Values of Cull Cows

A new resource developed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax helps cattle producers maximize profitability from their culling decisions.