Corn Silage in Beef Rations

Corn silage is a high-energy forage that many backgrounding and finishing operations lean on, and some cow herds use it too. Its value depends on the crop you grew, how you stored it and what else is in the ration.

Key points

Corn silage is an energy-dense forage that works best in a balanced ration.
Test every batch, because feeding value varies widely.
Step cattle up slowly and watch for digestive upset.
Drought or frost-stressed corn should be tested for nitrate before feeding.
Let a nutritionist set amounts rather than copying a neighbor.

Why producers use corn silage

Corn silage brings both fiber and starch in one feed, which makes it an energy-dense forage compared with most hay. It yields a lot of feed per acre, and a single crop can supply a whole winter for a yard of growing cattle.

It also pairs well with other feeds. Because it is moist and palatable, it can carry protein supplements, minerals and other ingredients in a mixed ration.

What makes one batch different from another

Two corn silages can differ a great deal. Variety, maturity at harvest, grain content, chop length, kernel processing, moisture and fermentation all change the feeding value. A crop cut from a dry year may have little grain, while a good year may be heavy with it.

That is why book values are only a starting point. The only way to know what you have is to sample and test.

Keep the lab report with your records. If you buy silage from a neighbor or a custom operator, ask for the same kind of report so you can compare feed fairly. Feed that looks good in the pile can still be wetter, more mature or lower in energy than you assumed, and the ration has to be built around what is really there.

Sample from several spots, not one handful
Send the sample to a reputable forage lab
Ask for moisture, protein, fiber and energy estimates
Retest if you open a new bunker or a new field

Building the ration with a nutritionist

Cattle needs depend on class, size, stage of production and weather. A dry cow in mid-gestation needs a different plan than a growing steer or a cow nursing a calf. A nutritionist or extension specialist can use your test results to decide how much corn silage makes sense and what must be added, such as protein, minerals and roughage.

Do not copy another producer's mix. Different feed, different cattle and different goals produce different answers.

Rumen health and feeding management

Corn silage carries fermentable starch, so a quick change in the ration can upset the rumen and cause digestive trouble, including acidosis. Cattle should be stepped up gradually under a plan from your nutritionist. Feed on a regular schedule, give every animal enough bunk space and watch for animals that hang back or crowd the feed.

Signs of trouble include going off feed, loose or foamy manure, bloating and lethargy. Call your veterinarian rather than guessing.

Drought, frost and nitrate questions

Corn stressed by drought or damaged by frost or hail can build up nitrate, which is toxic to cattle at high levels. Ensiling lowers nitrate somewhat but does not remove the risk, and gases released early in fermentation can be dangerous around storage. Test any stressed crop before it is fed, and talk to your veterinarian and nutritionist about how it can be used. Do not guess at safe amounts.

Storage and shrink

Corn silage is only as good as the seal on it. Pack tightly, cover completely and keep the face tidy during feeding. Exposed silage heats and spoils, and the loss comes straight out of your feed budget. Keep pests off the cover, and keep runoff away from surface water.

Also think about where the face will sit in bad weather. A bunker that drifts shut with snow or turns to mud at the opening slows feeding, and slow feeding leads to ragged cuts and extra loss. Plan the loader path and a firm working surface before winter arrives.

What to ask before you plant or buy

Whether you grow it or buy it, ask questions before committing. A fair seller should tell you the hybrid, harvest date and moisture, and should let you sample the pile.

Ask your lender or accountant how corn silage fits the whole operation, since equipment, labor and storage are real costs. This article is education only and is not financial advice.

Who will chop, haul and pack, and when
Where will it be stored and how will it be covered
Will you test it before it is priced or fed
How will cattle be adjusted onto it

When to get help: Have a nutritionist or extension specialist build the ration from a lab test of your silage. Call your veterinarian if cattle show digestive upset, bloat, or signs of poisoning after a change in feed.

Sources and further reading

Organization homepages are linked so you can search them for current guidance on this topic.

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