Corn Silage Quality: Corn Silage Quality: H i it D fi d dH i it D fi d dHow is it Defined and How is it Defined and

MeasuredMeasuredMeasuredMeasuredFrom a Nutritionist’s Point of From a Nutritionist’s Point of

ViewView

Dr. Karl E. Nestor Jr.

Senior Nutritionist

Mycogen Seeds

Corn Silage Production in Top Dairy States (million Corn Silage Production in Top Dairy States (million t )t )tons)tons)

16

12

14

16

CA

8

10

12 WINYPA

4

6

8 PAMN

4

1995 2000 2005 2008

NASS

Defining Corn Silage Quality:Defining Corn Silage Quality:Defining Corn Silage Quality:Defining Corn Silage Quality:

YieldYield YieldYield

AgronomicsAgronomics AgronomicsAgronomics

TraitsTraits TraitsTraits

Nutritional Nutritional Nutritional Nutritional ParametersParameters

Corn PlantCorn PlantCorn PlantCorn Plant

GrainGrain FodderFodder GrainGrain•• 4040--45% of plant 45% of plant

DMDM

FodderFodder•• 5555--60% of plant 60% of plant

DMDM Leaves = 15%Leaves = 15% Stem = 20Stem = 20--25%25% Cob, Shank, Husk = Cob, Shank, Husk = Cob, Shank, Husk Cob, Shank, Husk

20%20%

•• StarchStarch •• NDF NDF

There is a wide variation in Corn Silage Hybrids

Take Home Point #1Take Home Point #1Take Home Point #1Take Home Point #1

Don’t Judge Corn Don’t Judge Corn Don t Judge Corn Don t Judge Corn Silage Hybrids on Silage Hybrids on Yield AloneYield Alone

•• Consider Nutritional Consider Nutritional FactorsFactors

Nutritional Parameters:Nutritional Parameters:Nutritional Parameters:Nutritional Parameters:

StarchStarch StarchStarch

Fiber DigestibilityFiber Digestibility

StarchStarchStarchStarch

Starch is highly digestibleStarch is highly digestible Starch is highly digestibleStarch is highly digestible

Ph i l t tiPh i l t ti Physical protectionPhysical protection

Usage is highly dependant on:Usage is highly dependant on:•• Kernel Maturity (Dry Matter)Kernel Maturity (Dry Matter)Kernel Maturity (Dry Matter)Kernel Maturity (Dry Matter)•• Kernel Particle SizeKernel Particle Size•• Endosperm TypeEndosperm Type•• Endosperm TypeEndosperm Type

Predicted Total Tract Starch DigestibilityPredicted Total Tract Starch DigestibilityShaver 2002Shaver 2002Shaver, 2002Shaver, 2002

100

90

95

100

75

80

85

ch d

ig. % Unprocessed

Processed

65

70

30.0

31.2

32.4

33.6

34.8

36.0

37.2

38.4

39.6

40.8

42.0

43.2

44.4

45.6

46.8

48.0

Star

c

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Dry Matter %

*Based on data of Bal et al., 2000; Dhiman et al., 2000; Rojas-Bourrillon et al.1987

Endosperm TypeEndosperm Typep ypp yp

Floury Floury yyVitreous

Kernel Vitreousness & Ruminal In SituStarch Availability

90)

Starch Availability

70

80

f sta

rch

60

70

lity

(% o

50

Ava

ilabi

l

4030 40 50 60 70 80

A

Vitreousness (%)

Correa et al., JDS, 2002

Vitreousness increases with Vitreousness increases with increasing DMincreasing DMincreasing DMincreasing DM

75Philippeau and Michalet-Doreau, 1997

65DentFlint%

55

snes

s, %

35

45

Vitr

eous

25

35V

2520 25 30 35 40 45 50 55

Whole Plant Dry Matter, %

Fiber DigestibilityFiber DigestibilityFiber DigestibilityFiber Digestibility Measured as NDF DigestibilityMeasured as NDF Digestibilityg yg y

•• Highly variableHighly variableg yg y

•• Range of ValuesRange of Values

30% 75%

Marshfield Lab data, 2004

Why Fiber Digestibility?Why Fiber Digestibility?Why Fiber Digestibility?Why Fiber Digestibility?

Michigan State ResearchMichigan State Research Michigan State ResearchMichigan State Research•• 1 unit increase in NDF digestibility:1 unit increase in NDF digestibility:

Increase in DMIIncrease in DMI Increase in DMIIncrease in DMI Increase milk production 0.55 lb.Increase milk production 0.55 lb.

Modern BMR Milk Production Modern BMR Milk Production ResearchResearch

8

10

12

Increase in milk

4

6

8Increase in milk production per

day of cows receiving BMR versus Control Milk Yield

0

2

nell

ner

MSU

MSU

MSU an

dU

MSD

ASD

AU

WO

SUO

SUO

SU DEL

NEB

Corn Min MS

MS

MS

Mar

yla U

USD

USD U O

SO

SO

SU

DU

NE

University

Samples Analyzed for DNDFSamples Analyzed for DNDFSamples Analyzed for DNDFSamples Analyzed for DNDF3950040000

25000

30000

35000

40000

1320015000

20000

25000

DNDF

8200

5000

10000

2000 2004 20082000 2004 2008

Ward, 2009 ADSA

Take Home Point #2Take Home Point #2Take Home Point #2Take Home Point #2

Look Closely at NDF Look Closely at NDF Look Closely at NDF Look Closely at NDF Digestibility When Digestibility When Judging Corn Silage Judging Corn Silage on Nutritional Valueon Nutritional Value

Key Points about NDF DigestibilityKey Points about NDF DigestibilityKey Points about NDF DigestibilityKey Points about NDF Digestibility

Hybrids should differ by 4 to 5 points Hybrids should differ by 4 to 5 points Hybrids should differ by 4 to 5 points Hybrids should differ by 4 to 5 points before you will notice a milk before you will notice a milk production responseproduction responseproduction responseproduction response

Wh l i i tWh l i i t When analyzing, use consistencyWhen analyzing, use consistency•• Similar RM’sSimilar RM’s•• Many different labs and methodologiesMany different labs and methodologies•• Consistent time pointsConsistent time points

Silage Evaluation MethodsSilage Evaluation MethodsSilage Evaluation MethodsSilage Evaluation Methods

Milk per TonMilk per Ton Milk per TonMilk per Ton Milk per AcreMilk per Acre

MILK95, MILK2000, MILK2006MILK95, MILK2000, MILK2006

Corn PickerCorn Picker

http://www.foragelab.com/resources/feedReports.cfm

Corn PickerCorn Pickerwww.msu.edu/~mdr/cornpicker.html

http://www das psu edu/pdf/allenrankcornsilagehybrids pdfhttp://www.das.psu.edu/pdf/allenrankcornsilagehybrids.pdf

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