November 21, 2002

Making Use of High Moisture Corn

Corn producers across the North Dakota, particularly in the northeast, are experiencing difficulty harvesting corn due to poor dry down conditions attributed to the cool, wet months of October and November. Greg Lardy, North Dakota State University Extension beef specialist, recommends utilizing high moisture corn as a winter livestock feed.

According to Lardy, if the corn is to be stored as high moisture corn it should be harvested at 22 to 28 percent moisture. When stored properly, high moisture corn has energy and protein content similar to dry corn that is harvested at 15 percent moisture.

"High moisture corn must be stored in an airtight silo," says Lardy. This can include a bunker, silage bags, or an oxygen-limiting structure. "It is possible to store high moisture corn whole as long as you have excellent air exclusion," Lardy explains. However, he recommends rolling or grinding the corn to optimize storage and utilization. This helps eliminate air pockets, reduce spoilage and decrease storage loss.

Utilizing the option of high moisture corn offers many harvest advantages. Harvesting can be completed early in the season, avoiding adverse weather conditions. Yields typically will be higher due to less ear drop in the field and drying costs are eliminated.

There are also disadvantages to harvesting high moisture corn. Once high moisture corn is rolled or ground it may not be sold through an elevator. It is marketable only through livestock. Producers may have to purchase additional storage and processing equipment. "It is important to properly store high moisture corn," says Lardy. Improperly ensiled corn will result in excessive spoilage and unwanted storage losses.

Producers need to take extra precautions when feeding high moisture corn. "It tends to ferment faster in the rumen than dry rolled corn or whole corn," Lardy explains. Therefore, producers need to enforce better bunk management by closely monitoring bunk readings and feed intake.

High moisture corn can be an effective way to utilize corn resources. To be successful at using high moisture corn, producers must pay close attention to storage conditions, processing and feeding management.

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Source: Greg Lardy (701) 231-7660, glardy@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Writer: Deana Oe (701) 231-8371, deana.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu