When is the Right Time to Harvest Your Maize?

Having invested money and time into growing your maize crop, it makes sense to do everything you can to maximise the value and quality of your end product.  Harvesting maize too early will lead to higher than optimum water content, whilst harvesting it too late will make it too dry, resulting in low palatability, reduced dry matter intakes and a heightened risk of frost and mould damage. Maize silage is one of the trickiest forages to preserve and is prone to poor fermentation.

The best time to harvest is when the cobs have reached maximum starch yield and have enough moisture to compact easily.  Ideally the whole plant should have an overall dry matter of around 25-35%, however if the cob is right, but the plant still a bit green, harvest it, because if you wait for the plant to dry, the grain will become too dry and less digestible by the cow.

As it is being harvested ensure that the grain is cracked well and once back at the farm consolidated well.  The crop should be added in layers of 3-4 inches at a time and rolled, rolled, rolled!  Ideally have a second tractor on the pit just to roll.  Leaving rolling until the end will only roll the top layer/s and not compact further down the pit.  Using a silage compactor either from you contractor or by hiring one, will significantly improve silage compaction.  The tighter the material is in with the minimum of oxygen, the better.  Ideally you should leave your maize crop six weeks before you start feeding.

Maize silage benefits from using an additive, as it will speed up the fermentation process and inhibit yeast and mould growth that cause spoilage.  A well fermented silage will ensure it is more palatable and digestible when feeding out.  DBL can supply a number of additives/inoculants suitable for use with maize silage.

Once the pit is full get it covered as quickly as possible to get it sealed and free of oxygen so that the fermentation process can begin.  Along with the additives, DBL can also supply, side sheets, oxygen barriers, covers and gravel bags, all these products can be sent for next day delivery.

If you’d like to discuss your maize harvest requirements, then please contact Lousie Cox on 07943 684215 or email louise@dblbuyinggroup.co.uk