Pricing standing corn silage: What is a reasonable price?

Pricing standing corn for silage can be challenging. There are no widely quoted market prices for this particular crop and values are often based on relative feed value or comparison to other crops, such as corn grain or hay. 

Pricing of corn for the seller should take into account the value of grain, the fertilizer cost incurred and harvest costs saved. Corn silage in the field can be valued at eight to 10 times the price of corn per grain bushel. 

Walk fields with your agronomist and talk about investing in fungicide applications to maintain plant health. We’ve observed an uptick in fiber digestibility the last year, which I think is partly attributable to improved plant health.

Take note of the tasseling date and then sit down with your calendar to circle the date range 40 to 60 days after the average tasseling date for your fields. Corn historically has been ready for silage around 45 days post tasseling; however, I’ve learned from Todd Schaumburg and other experienced agronomists that better plant health has widened this window out. More on that later. Start intensively monitoring corn with your agronomist during this 20-day window later in the season.

Corn silage is typically included at higher levels in a lactating cow diet. It can contribute significant amounts of digestible fiber, starch, and peNDF, as well as protein and fat. Most variability is observed in the fiber and starch levels and digestibility, which impacts dry matter intake, milk yield, and components. Corn silage data compiled from Rock River Laboratory for the West (W), Midwest (MW), and East (E)US regions is summarized below.

First cutting of a perennial hay crop offers the opportunity to capture high quantity and quality, but timely harvest can be met with a number of obstacles. This fact sheet provides links to several current resources to aid in successful decision making for the upcoming season.