New Ulm,MNto maximize yield and reduce header loss, corn all goes to coop, I have no bin or dryer

Sw. IllDepends on what they charge to dry it. In my case it made sense to wait till it dried. Of course then the market fell $.40 in that time,,,,, so what do i know.
I saw no change in header loss between 20% to 14.7% moisture by the time I finished.

Edited by Dmpaul89 9/24/ 21:20


New Ulm,MN1.4% shrink per point and $. per bushel for each 1/2 point of moisture removed

NCIN

I understand the charge for drying.  Afterall, they do have expense.  What grinds me is that they take more shrink than they should.  Shrink doesn't cost them a penny.....it's nothing more than theft.   When I questioned my elevator about taking too much shrink, they responded that they want to make sure they are covered.

Read more

SEONWicksfield - 9/24/ 22:34

I understand the charge for drying.  Afterall, they do have expense.  What grinds me is that they take more shrink than they should.  Shrink doesn't cost them a penny.....it's nothing more than theft.   When I questioned my elevator about taking too much shrink, they responded that they want to make sure they are covered.

Their buyer screws them so they screw you. Crap runs down hill. Buy a dryer
.

sw corner ia.15 works fine for me..


central ILLYou will make more money combining corn at 20 to 22% than waiting till 15%. It’s been argued a long time about dry matter loss and it is real. I don’t know what your drying rates are because they vary so much from elevator to elevator. Just what we’ve found.


southern IllinoisJD - 9/25/ 06:04

You will make more money combining corn at 20 to 22% than waiting till 15%. It’s been argued a long time about dry matter loss and it is real. I don’t know what your drying rates are because they vary so much from elevator to elevator. Just what we’ve found.

If you were silly enough to shell elevator corn at 22 percent, ours wouldnt take it. Lots of years they won't take it over 17.

Saline County, MoCmas in Marshall mo charges a nickel a point. Plus shrink on any over 15

sw corner ia.no thanks.

fyi.. I shelled a wagon load yesterday afternoon to get some beans opened up, tested 15.5. when my beans are all in the bin that corn will be just right for me.

North Central IllinoisBig variable is stalk strength. If stalks are good, let it dry plenty. If you have stalk rot, chase it before it falls over.


ILJD - 9/25/ 04:04

You will make more money combining corn at 20 to 22% than waiting till 15%. It’s been argued a long time about dry matter loss and it is real. I don’t know what your drying rates are because they vary so much from elevator to elevator. Just what we’ve found.

Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

MNLOL


Texas/New Mexico StatelineCase IH farmer - 9/25/ 08:34

Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

Guy on here a few weeks ago claimed 25 bu loss from mid 20s to 15%. .........ahem......... it was on the internet so......




NW MissouriIt depends on where you live. If you're in an I state with good ground and new equipment then you have to harvest at 20% or higher, or you'll lose 25% of your crop and be the laughingstock of the county. Besides, how are you going to get every acre worked and all your gas on by Thanksgiving if you aren't done harvesting by early October... Everywhere else, it's better to let it dry in the field.

Honestly though, it depends on where you're selling. If they shrink and charge 5 cents a half point down to 15%, then it's gonna cost you a lot more than if they don't shrink, charge 2 cents, and dock down to 15.5. Where I sell most of my corn is the latter, so I don't worry too much about harvesting as long as my corn is under 18 (their dock gets bigger after 18 ). After all, I'm selling them water and I'm getting the job done before the weather turns bad. I'd never dream of harvesting at 20+ because why? Most people in my area get their beans out first and then worry about the corn anyway, so it's rarely over 20%. It's a whole lot easier to shell corn in the snow than it is to cut beans.

That being said, I don't harvest at 17-18 to save header loss, I do it so I won't have to move equipment back to that farm later or because I'm done with beans and want to keep harvest moving along.

S MnCase IH farmer - 9/25/ 09:34


Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

You keep on believing that. I’ll keep believing my scale tickets and yield monitor.

Go have your cup of coffee with the boys and talk about the guy drying corn. Bet u guys talk about him when he buys the next farm too and how that’ll never work at that price.


Columbia Basin, Ephrata, WASince - 9/25/ 18:02

Case IH farmer - 9/25/ 09:34


Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

You keep on believing that. I’ll keep believing my scale tickets and yield monitor.

Go have your cup of coffee with the boys and talk about the guy drying corn. Bet u guys talk about him when he buys the next farm too and how that’ll never work at that price.


Yeah well, if it’s dry enough to go through a combine you’ve already given up the real big bucks.

There, somebody top that.




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MinnesotaBig Ben - 9/25/ 20:47

Since - 9/25/ 18:02

Case IH farmer - 9/25/ 09:34


Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

You keep on believing that. I’ll keep believing my scale tickets and yield monitor.

Go have your cup of coffee with the boys and talk about the guy drying corn. Bet u guys talk about him when he buys the next farm too and how that’ll never work at that price.


Yeah well, if it’s dry enough to go through a combine you’ve already given up the real big bucks.

There, somebody top that.


Well, you didn't take it for silage... so there is that...

Western illinoisI'd much rather pick 20% than the 16% I'm doing now. I hate seeing the head shelling when picking dry corn. And the fantom yield loss discussion can be argued as much as test weight. To each his own, but I'll start at 22-23 and get it under a roof before it blows down. One can pay a lot of drying if it's in the bin and not on the ground.


central ILLWe have combined corn at 22% and went back a week later and started at 17% in the same field right beside where we guit at 22% and yield was 11 bu/acre less. 11 bushel will buy a lot of drying. You can laugh all you want and make fun of it but the numbers don’t lie.

North Central IllinoisBut, was it "phantom" loss, or did that variety have poor ear attachment and just drop a lot of ears during that week?

Columbia Basin, Ephrata, WAalphacharlie - 9/25/ 18:53

Big Ben - 9/25/ 20:47

Since - 9/25/ 18:02

You keep on believing that. I’ll keep believing my scale tickets and yield monitor.

Go have your cup of coffee with the boys and talk about the guy drying corn. Bet u guys talk about him when he buys the next farm too and how that’ll never work at that price.


Yeah well, if it’s dry enough to go through a combine you’ve already given up the real big bucks.

There, somebody top that.


Well, you didn't take it for silage... so there is that...

Yeah, but it’s way more expensive per acre to cut silage.

JD
Posted 9/25/ 22:47 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: best moisture to combine corn at


central ILLNo ears dropped at all. Phantom loss. Don’t know why but have saw it multiple times.dvswia
Posted 9/26/ 06:37 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: best moisture to combine corn at

sw corner ia.11 bpa loss with no ears down or any other loss factor from only 5pts moisture drop?

are you sure it wasn't a lot more? that phantom guy must be following you around.nekfarmer
Posted 9/26/ 06:52 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: best moisture to combine corn at

NE KSMaybe there is a yield loss and maybe there isn't but if you take it to an elevator at over 20% your going to give that load away. There are a few guys that shell early and their fields look like you drilled it. One guy was bragging about how much more corn had by shelling wet, well after seeing his fields the joke is "my god how good would it have been if he would have gotten it all in the combine" I can shell corn at 15%, leave almost nothing on the ground and not take a dock. Its not for everyone but it works here.centralillinois
Posted 9/26/ 07:01 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: best moisture to combine corn atThere are co-ops in Illinois that charge 3 cents per point to dry corn from 20% to 15% but typically return half of what they charge in the form of a dividend. It is difficult to justify building a bin in those neighborhoods.Iceman56
Posted 9/26/ 08:50 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: You won't make more money harvesting 20-22%.

SE South DakotaCase IH farmer - 9/25/ 09:34

JD - 9/25/ 04:04

You will make more money combining corn at 20 to 22% than waiting till 15%. It’s been argued a long time about dry matter loss and it is real. I don’t know what your drying rates are because they vary so much from elevator to elevator. Just what we’ve found.

Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

How many times have you tested it side by side? Call it what you want phantom loss, ear drop, blown down corn, head shelling loss, dry matter weight goes back in cob, wildlife damage, white dust out the back of combine,..... I've heard them all, fact is nothing good happens to your yield after black layer, and yield loss from 25% to 15% is real I've proved it side by side. believe what you want I don't care, but I personally believe its a little bit of all of those factors adding up to loss

That being said I don't like combining over 25% corn as I think you can loose some test weight.Iceman56
Posted 9/26/ 08:55 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: You won't make more money harvesting 20-22%.

SE South Dakotamilofarmer1 - 9/25/ 12:14

Case IH farmer - 9/25/ 08:34

Thats a joke. There is no difference in yield for 20% corn vs 15% corn. Mystery yield loss is just for guys that like to justify handing the elevator or LP man money for the sake of trying to be first done.

Guy on here a few weeks ago claimed 25 bu loss from mid 20s to 15%. .........ahem......... it was on the internet so......




You farm in Texas dude, I don't think you fully understand what were talking about here. You prolly go from black layer to 15% in like a week, and raise (no offense ) 120bu corn in that desert... seriously mean no offense by that but just saying we're in two different worldsmilofarmer1
Posted 9/26/ 10:11 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: You won't make more money harvesting 20-22%.


Texas/New Mexico Stateline25 bu. of corn is the same in my world as your world. If guys are figuring the "phantom" loss the same accounting for moisture shrink, truely losing 25 bu would be visible somewhere. Then it wouldn't be "phantom". It would be obvious. That is 50 kernals per square foot. + stalks/ears? Or the combine is a feed grinder.

BTW. We're up on the high plains and it is taking 2-3 weeks from black layer to dry.

Purdu21
Posted 9/26/ 18:27 (# - in reply to #)
Subject: RE: You won't make more money harvesting 20-22%.

Chopping and Storing Quality Corn Silage

Introduction

Utah growers produce approximately 990,000 tons of corn silage annually, providing important forage in livestock and dairy diets. Properly harvested and stored, corn silage is extremely palatable, superior to other forages in energy content, a great fiber source, and relatively consistent in quality. The high palatability of corn silage encourages feed intake which contributes to higher milk yields, greater weight gains and additional farm profits. 

The Ensiling Process

There are four basic phases in the ensiling process. In the aerobic phase (phase 1), oxygen trapped in the air spaces of the silage mass is consumed by plant respiration and aerobic microorganisms. If the silo is well-packed, the amount of available oxygen is minimal and soon the lag phase (phase 2) begins. Almost immediately plant cell membranes break down, allowing cell juices to become a growth medium for anaerobic bacteria. Fermentation (phase 3) begins as the anaerobic lactic acid bacteria begin to grow and rapidly multiply. As the bacteria grow, they use plant sugars and produce lactic and acetic acids, the accumulation of which reduces the pH of the forage. When the pH reaches approximately 4.0, the bacteria die and the silage begins the stable phase (phase 4). If the silo is properly packed and sealed, this phase lasts until the silo is opened and silage again comes in contact with oxygen.1

Cutting Length and Kernel Processors

Particle size at harvest depends on knife sharpness, harvest speed, shear bar setting and crop moisture. Forage particles need to be long enough to float in the rumen and maintain the rumen fiber mat. This is critical to stimulate rumination, increase milk production, and augment growth rates. Corn silage that is chopped too fine or over-processed passes through the rumen too quickly, leading to reduced feed efficiency. Dairymen can usually expect higher butter fat and protein percentages and fewer displaced abomasums with a longer chop. Drier corn needs to be cut shorter to facilitate packing.

There is considerable interest in kernel processing as some studies have reported increased milk flow from dairy cows fed processed corn silage. Steers and heifers receiving processed corn silage usually show greater weight gains and are more efficient than cattle fed unprocessed corn silage. Kernel processing corn silage improves dry matter intake, starch digestion, and lactation performance. There is also less sorting and cob refusal at the feed manger for total mixed rations containing processed whole plant corn silage.2 Kernal processors break corn kernals into smaller fractions as the forage passes through two rollers that have a clearance about the thickness of a dime. The two rollers operate at different revolutions per minute, which results in a shearing of the stover. Since the entire corn plant is affected, the term crop processor may be more appropriate. Processing improves ruminal digestion of corn silage. 

Forage specialists advise a short length of chop without a kernel processor or a longer length of chop if a kernel processor is used. A general recommendation is to chop corn silage with a chop length ranging from .50 to .75 inches if not kernel processed at harvest, or 1.00 to 1.50 inches if a kernel processor is used. 3

Cutting Heights

Since the corn plant has a higher proportion of lignin in the lower third of the plant, some growers have experimented with increasing the cutting height from the typical 6 to 8 inches to 18 inches. The theory of high-chopping is that digestibility of the resulting silage could be improved if the bottom part of the plant is not put into the silo. Research has shown, however, that high-chopping corn silage improves the neutral detergent fiber digestibility of the silage by only one or two units, while reducing yields by a much higher percentage.4 When high nitrates are suspected, usually from brief droughts, increasing the harvest height may be justified because the bottom portion of the plant contains a much higher level of nitrates. If nitrates are a concern, a lab test to determine nitrate levels following fermentation may prove to be a wise investment.

Role of Inoculants

Numerous additives are available that may enhance the ensiling process. The most common bacterial inoculants are the lactic acid forming type, Lactobacillus. They work by accelerating the acid production needed to preserve the silage. Silage treated with a legitimate inoculant will generally stabilize faster and, therefore, maintain higher amounts of nutrients than untreated silage. Inoculants can be a good management tool when used with other best management practices. 

Forage harvester manufactures have made impressive progress in designing low volume inoculant applicators that work in concert with yield monitors. In areas of the field where yields are lower, the technology applies less inoculant. Where yields are higher, it applies more to ensure the forages are not under inoculated. This method is far superior to spreading inoculants to loaded trucks or manually spreading the product at the silage bunker. Inoculants contain live bacteria that can lose their viability if not handled and stored properly.

Density of Packing

Most growers or silage contractors have the ability to chop corn at a faster rate than it can be properly packed, and slowing the delivery rate is not a realistic option. Adequate packing at the bunker to achieve the minimum recommended density of 15 to 18 pounds dry matter per cubic foot can be a challenge. Feed quality is reduced in loosely packed bunkers because of increased dry matter and nutrient losses from aerobic decay.5 

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One commonly used guideline to maximize silage density is the minimum need of 800 pounds of packing weight per ton of silage delivered per hour. (Table 1) Packing density can be improved if workers limit push-up layers to 6 to 12 inches and have plenty of tractor power. Most farmers need more than one packing tractor to keep up with the chopper. The heavier the packing tractors, the better will be the density of the corn silage. Tractor weight can be increased by adding weight to the front of the tractor or to the 3-point hitch on the back. Filling the tires with fluid is also helpful. Dual wheels can provide additional tractor weight and stability. Experts suggest keeping packing time in the range of 1 to 3 minutes per ton of fresh forage. Extra time spent packing the surface will improve the density of the critical top level by assuring sufficient wheel contact over the entire surface (Table 2). 

Lower densities are consistently measured along bunker walls or on the outside edges of silage piles. Paying extra attention to packing along the bunker walls with narrow tires on a heavy tractor could be a way to reduce feed losses. Only an experienced operator should be trusted along a wall with large equipment. 

Covering the Bunker

Silos not properly sealed immediately after harvest will have significant losses of feed quality. The average losses of dry matter vary depending on moisture and feeding rates, but it is not uncommon to show an average dry matter loss of 30 percent from the top three feet of the bunker.6 Professionals recommend the use of 4 to 6 mm black or black/white plastic, overlapped by 4 to 6 feet, and secured with uniform weights such as 15 to 20 used tires per 100 square feet. Protecting chopped corn from exposure to oxygen, sunlight, rain and snow is always cost effective. Research shows an estimated return of $8 for every $1 invested in covering silos. Many areas have professional crews that specialize in covering and uncovering bunker silos in a timely manner. 7

Managing the Feedout Face

Corn silage needs at least 45 to 60 days to become uniformly preserved and for the kernels to reabsorb moisture and soften, making them easier to digest. Feeding unfermented or partially fermented silage will not provide the full economic or production benefits possible from properly fermented corn silage.

Silo face management is important in managing aerobic deterioration in silage. Loose silage is more porous and allows greater air infiltration, increasing the rate of aerobic growth and growth of molds and yeasts. Maintaining a firm face and cleaning up loose silage that has fallen to the floor of the silo on feedout will help minimize aerobic losses. Keeping an even, clean face on bunker silos is an important management factor. 

At feed out, silage should be removed from the whole silage face at a minimum rate of 6 inches per day. Feedout rate is a function of the number of animals being fed, the amount of silage fed in the diet, and the silo design. Thus, silo design and size should be matched with the feeding rate in order to minimize silage losses during feedout. 8

Safety Considerations

Chopping corn and packing bunkers can be dangerous work. Powerful equipment, hasty workers, and long hours are a perilous combination. Careful operators give priority to properly maintained equipment making certain all guards and shields are in place. Equipment must always be turned off when making adjustments or diagnosing problems. Space tractor and equipment wheels as far apart as possible to increase stability. Watch carefully for distracted workers when dumping trucks or packing bunkers. Silage should not be packed too high or too steep, increasing the likelihood of rolling the packing tractor. Workers must always be careful around the feedout face of silage bunkers since cave-ins can bury workers with no warning. Accidents happen quickly and workers cannot be too careful.

References

1. Pitt, R. E. . “Silage and Hay Preservation.” A publication of the Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, NRAES-5.53 pages.
2. Bal, M. A., Shaver, R.D., Jirovec, A.G., Shinners, K.J., Coors, J.C. . “Crop Processing and Chop Length on Corn Silage: Effects on Intake, Digestion, and Milk Production by Dairy Cows.” J Dairy Sci 83:-.
3. Patrick D. French, Dairy Science Dept, Virginia Tech, Getting More out of Corn Silage. www.dasc.vt.edu/extension/nutritioncc/frnch99a.pdf
4. Walker, P., Carmack, J.M., Brown, L., Owens, F. . “Impact of High Chopping Corn on Silage Composition.” www.livestocktrial.uiuc.edu/uploads/dairynet/papers/
5. Bolsen, K.K., R.E. Bolsen, B.E. Brent. . “A trouble shooter for nine common silage problems,” Kansas State University, http://222.oznet.ksu.edu/pr_silage
6. Holthaus, D.L., M.A. Young, B.E. Brent, L. Pfaff, and K.K. Bolsen. a. Losses from top spoilage in horizontal silos. Kansas Agric. Exp. Sta. Rpt. of Prog. 727:59.
7. Bolsen, K.K. . Unpublished field data trial comparing standard plastic and oxygen barrier film on bunker silos of corn silage and high moisture corn. Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.
8. Bolton, K., and B.J. Holmes. . Management of bunker silos and silage piles. www.uwex.edu/ces/crops/uwforage/mgnt-bunkers-piles-bjh2.pdf

Revised November and published to the Web January
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet

Download PDF

Authors

Clark Israelsen, James Barnhill, Mike Pace, Linden Greenhalgh, Jody Gale
Utah State University Agricultural Extension Agents

If you want to learn more, please visit our website corn silage harvesting header.