By Jamie Martin
Corn silage is widely used in dairy cow diets around the world and often forms a large part of the forage dry matter. Its energy level depends heavily on plant quality and fermentation. Short stature corn is gaining attention because it may offer better standability, reduced lodging, and the ability to plant more densely. This study examined how it compares with conventional corn in physical structure and fermentation performance.
The research took place at the Central Maryland Research and Education Center. At harvest, both short stature and conventional corn were collected and packed into small silos weighing 1,000 grams. Each corn type received either water or an organic acid mixture of propionic and acetic acids. Silos were stored for six time periods ranging from zero to 120 days. Samples were tested for dry matter, particle size, nutrient makeup, fermentation acids, and microbial activity.
Using the Penn State Box method, researchers found that short stature corn had nearly identical particle size distribution to conventional corn. Maintaining particle size is important because physically effective fiber helps cows chew properly and supports rumen function. Short stature corn showed 34 percent dry matter at harvest and had similar proportions on all sieves when compared with the conventional crop.
Fermentation results showed higher total acids in the organic acid-treated samples of both varieties. This was expected due to the acid blend applied during packing. Lactic acid was the major acid produced, which supports good fermentation and reduces the risk of spoilage from yeasts and molds. These results indicate that short stature corn can produce silage with strong fermentation characteristics.
The next step is to include short stature corn silage in dairy cow diets to study its impact on milk production and overall performance. If results show that it performs as well as conventional varieties, farmers can adopt it without changing equipment or major practices, supporting long-term sustainability.
Photo Credit: istock-123ducu
Categories: National