Buckeye Dairy News: Volume 5 Issue 5

Dr. Bill Weiss, Dairy Specialist, Ohio State University

As corn silage harvest approaches, important decisions must be made regarding silage harvest. The quality of the silage made this fall will have an impact on the herd for the next 12 months.

When to chop. The decision to chop should be based on the dry matter (DM) concentration of the corn plants. Corn silage that is excessively wet can reduce intake when fed to dairy cows and can produce effluent (seepage) during storage. Silage that is too dry has poorer digestibility and can heat in the silo and feed bunk. The ideal DM concentration for corn silage is between 30 and 38% (bunkers should be at the low end of this range, bags in the mid portion of the range, and upright silos at the upper end of this range). Although kernel milk line is related with DM concentration of corn plants, milk line is not accurate enough to make harvesting decisions. Based on a study from Ohio, average DM concentration of corn plants was 35% (range was approximately 30 to 40%) at one-quarter milk line (milkline one-fourth of the way down from the tip to the base of the kernel) and 39% (range was approximately 35 to 45%) at one-half milk line stage. Planting time and hybrid affected the relationship between milk line stage and DM concentration. A sample of corn plants from the field should be chopped and analyzed for DM using either a microwave or Koster tester before filling the silo. Monitoring DM should begin at the full dent stage.

Kernel Processing. Kernel processing allows corn silage to be chopped coarsely without decreasing digestibility of the kernel (i.e., starch). The goal of processing is to damage or break most (more than 90%) of the kernels. If more than a few whole kernels are found after chopping, the processing rolls were not set close enough. Most studies have reported increased starch digestibility by dairy cows when fed kernel processed corn silage; however, digestibility of DM (an estimate of the energy value of the diet) is often not affected by kernel processing. Likewise, averaged across studies, milk production is not greatly increased by kernel processing, but some individual studies have reported large increases in milk production. Hybrid appears to be one factor affecting the response to kernel processing. Unfortunately, at this time, we do not know which hybrids are likely to respond to kernel processing.

Inoculation. Conventional corn silage inoculants provide specific lactic acid producing bacteria. Inoculated corn silage usually has a higher lactic acid concentration and lower fermentation losses than uninoculated corn silage. Milk production is seldom affected greatly by corn silage inoculation. On average, the use of lactic acid producing inoculants on corn silage probably has a slightly positive return on investment. A newer type of inoculant (Lactobacillus buchneri) promotes increased acetic acid concentrations in silage. Acetic acid is inhibitory to many yeasts and mold, and silage inoculated with L. buchneri is much more stable when exposed to air than untreated silage. This should reduce storage losses and prolong bunk-life of TMR containing inoculated silage. Limited research has found no effects on intake or milk production when cows were fed corn silage inoculated with L. buchneri. If silage feed out rate will be slow (less than about 6 inches/day) and/or the silage will be fed in the summer, L. buchneri could be quite useful.

Dr. Maurice Eastridge, Dairy Specialist, Ohio State University 

We live in a world full of risks -it's just a factor of life. Yet, a general mindset seems to have settled among us that we demand a risk-free society. Of course, we know that this is not possible. Risk is defined as the "possibility of loss or injury" and is associated with uncertain outcomes. We can purchase insurance for almost any risk. Purchasing insurance just transfers the financial burden of a loss, should it occur, to another party. Insurance can neither replace life nor fully compensate for pain, suffering, and quality of life. So, it is very important for all of to be active in controlling risks, thereby reducing the potential for loss or injury. Controlling environmental risks on dairy farms should address the following:

Manure storage facilities:

Designed to provide adequate containment (i.e. not leaking)
Provide sufficient capacity
Provide adequate ventilation when appropriate

Land application of manure:

Apply proper amount for conditions
Identify and implement needed setbacks
Control drainage systems

Silage storage:

Control seepage
Provide adequate ventilation when appropriate

Control all potential sources of runoff

With all of the best efforts, accidents to occur and then rapid efforts are needed for response to the loss or injury. Therefore, all farm owners need to have in place an Emergency Action Plan. If there is a fire, we fully expect the fire department to respond immediately, to be well trained, and to have a plan that all of the department's staff knows "like the back of their hand". On the farm, an Emergency Action Plan also is very critical. An emergency action plan to avoid environmental risks relative to manure storage and handling on livestock farms should contain at least four items (Iowa State University): 1) a plan of action to prevent the release of manure or prevent environmental contamination, 2) a detailed map of the site and application fields 3) a list of contact names and numbers included with the plan and posted near the phone, and 4) a clean-up plan. In addition to developing an Emergency Action Plan to address manure management, the plan should also address any medical emergency, potential weather-related emergencies; electrical, plumbing, or other mechanical failures; animal health emergencies, including biosecurity; and milk hauling and processors contacts. Items to consider in developing a plan of action to an emergency are: 1) assess the situation, know what factors are at risk (human health, animal welfare, the environment, or livestock structures), 2) reduce risk through implementation of the planned steps, 3) contact appropriate authorities to report emergencies or accidents, and 4) assess damages.

The motto of the Boy Scouts of America is "be prepared". We learn a lot as a child, whether in the sand box, from parents, youth organizations, etc. These lessons still apply throughout life - we need to be prepared to reduce risks and to respond to emergencies when they do occur. If you don't have an Emergency Action Plan, don't plan to do the Plan (because you may never get around to doing it) - why not start on it now.