CORN SILAGE DRYDOWN AND QUALITY PROCESS CLINICS: TEST, DON’T GUESS! Dr. Sandy Costello Penn State Cooperative Extension Dairy Agent Central Susquehanna Valley Our Central Susquehanna Valley Dairy Extension Team conducted four com silage quality assessment clinics throughout the month of Sep* tember 2003. The primary purpose of the clinics was to provide area dairy producers with feedback on moisture content of whole-corn plant or chopped com plant samples to aid in timing of com silage harvest. Research has shown that com plants harvested n Nobody knows kay UMBERGER’S OF FONTANA, INC. JhESSTON RD4B ?, x 7^7.M, a r Pa * + «•-•«■** » •» • • •*•♦*■ * •*-«***•£».•*-,» vw v<v i *><■)* i«hU w -*.■•» TALK NEWS CORN BROWERS ASSOC., WC. based on whole plant mois tures will ferment better and provide higher quality com si lage feed for dairy cattle. Forty-six whole com plant or chopped samples were re ceived from 20 dairy produc ers in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties. Chopped samples were also tested for parade length to evaluate ef fective fiber quality of the fu ture com silage. Com silage that is chopped too finely will provide little fiber benefit to cows and may lead to lower intake and greater chance of acidosis and other associated digestive disorders. Results comparing actual versus rec ommended chop length was provided back to dairy pro ducers. The multicounty C.J. WONSIDLER BROS. Finland Rd., Quakertown, PA 215-536-1935 / 215-536-7523 UPDATE Now through December 31, 2003, you can reserve a quality 2004 Hesston* machine for spring delivery* and lock in 2003 prices. This offer includes Hesston's most popular models, from self-propelled windrowers and mower conditioners to round and square balers. As every Early Bird knows, the Hesston line combines reliability and ruggedness with the advanced features you expect to boost productivity, lower yaur maintenance and get maximum profit from every bale. See your Hesston dealer before December 31, 2003 for Early Bird prices, and special finance deals on equipment that's a cut above the rest. *By May 31 2004 in th. UfiAi by Juna 30 2004 in Oarwin, STANLEY’S FARM SERVICE RD 1, Box 46, Klingerstown, Pa, 570-648-2088 MARSHALL MACHINERY, INC. Honesdale, Pa. 570-729-7117 ZIMMERMAN’S FARM SERVICE School Road, Rt. 1, Bethel, Pa. 717-933-4114 Rts. 309 & 100, New Tripoli, PA 610-767-7611 / 570-648-2088 agronomist also . evaluated whole com plant samples using traditional dry down measures, including denting, milk line, black line, and mil kiness or doughiness. An observational compari son across samples showed no clear relationship between tra ditional com grain measures and moisture content of whole plant samples. In other words, traditional measures (denting, milk line, etc.) provided limited assistance in determin ing when to harvest com si lage. Samples were also check ed for insect damage mid other stress indicators on whole-corn plants and find ings were provided back to producers. Stress damage to whole-corn plants may indi cate increased opportunity for mold and/or mycotoxin pro duction leading to negative af fects on' animal health and production. Timing of com silage har vest for appropriate whole plant moisture based on stor age method (e.g., upright silo, bag, or bunker) is critical to dairy farm profitability. When com silage is harvested too wet or too dry, the risk in creases for the following con ditions: loss of feed (increased dry matter loss), poor nutri Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 18, 2003, Cbm talk-Els Sandy Costello, left, multieounty dairy agent, dis cusses com variety information with Chris Wolff of Pen Col Dairy at a silage testing clinic in the parking lot of the new Union County extension office. Photo by Norm Conrad. tional value of feed (lower en ergy, starch and digestibility), decreased palatability of feed (lower intake), and increased opportunity for lower animal defense against disease (indi rect affect of feeding poor quality silage) and a direct chance of disease associated with poor quality silage (e.g., ketosis from high butyric add levels, listeriosis, clostridial diseases, and hemorrhagic bowel syndrome). Because com silage is a major compo nent of most dairy cow diets in Pennsylvania, poor quality will lead to lower dairy farm income (milk production) and higher farm expenses (higher purchased feed costs from Fall Order Specials “our COMMITMtNI CON FS SEEDS condnues to,»»* h J u , acNM , goals «tt< earned your Ea B *' . P rha. Ena»as. _ iiko CORNEAS*^ORDERJAVWGS Save $2-00 par uo ne oaviNGS. Umlled ..me o*g_ i ALFALFA SPECIAL I r■■ j ® FS SEEDS Contact your FS SEEDS dealer or call 800-245-2435 for more Information poor nutritional value and less feed, higher veterinary and treatment costs). Central Susquehanna Val ley Dairy Extension Team members participating with me in the project were Norm Conrad, agronomy agent and Ken Balliet, farm manage ment agent. 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