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’17 corn crop might require dairy ration adjustments

A silage expert says this year’s corn crop might require dairy producers to make more adjustments to dairy rations.  DeKalb silage specialist Mark Richhart tells Brownfield the late planting and short-season corn varieties leave the potential for abnormal corn silage.  “Typically, some of those corns are a little shorter-statured and as long as we don’t turn off dry, I think we should have a good yield from a grain standpoint.  You just might not have quite as much fodder there, so those factors all can affect dairy rations and, of course, need to be adjusted accordingly.”

Richhart says growers will still need to check moisture, processing scores, and get the right cut length to best utilize what Mother Nature gives them.  He says it’s still a little early to predict how good this year’s silage will be.  “I’m not sure we’re right quite to that point where we can make some of those determinations yet.  I think we’re getting close.  In the next couple of weeks, we’ll have a really good idea where we’re going to be on a silage quality standpoint.”

Richhart is encouraged by recent warmer weather, which is helping the crop develop rapidly.  He says when the corn starts to tassel, producers will be able to better gauge the quality of this year’s crop.

 

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