Chopping Corn

[mnmtranching]

Anyone else chopping corn?

I started on Fri. piling, inoculating, packing.

50 loads per pile [about 250 tons] 50X100 plastic cover.

This is a 1 man operation, 3 loads then unload. 6 loads per day is a good days work. :shock: :help:

 

[MikeC]

Anyone else chopping corn?

No corn to chop.

Most all was shredded back in June and replanted in cotton.

That makes two disastrous crops in one year. :???:

 

[Stocker Steve]

Wadena county neighbor tried chopping last Monday but quit - - moisture level was 78%.

I put in more corn this year due to prices but my "grain corn" that is not going to make it. I forgot to add the water... Talked to a guy about bagging what is there so I can self feed silage under a hot wire next summer.

Do you see a cost or feeding advantage to piling it, or don't you have an a bagger available?

 

[rkm]

I prefer piling or stacking to bagging simply because of cost. The last I made a bag of corn silage it cost me $1,000 for the use bagger and the bag. That was for 125 ton bag. That was several years ago and I don't believe it has gotten any cheaper. I would not try to pile 250 ton of silage by myself. Six 5 ton loads a day, how do you keep it from molding?

 

[mnmtranching]

This I believe is the best way to store corn silage. Much less cost than bagging. Very little waste. I add a layer to the top every day. Adding inoculant to each load as I unload. I use 2 rear end unloaders and 1 front. Level off with a skidsteer.
By adding to the top it keeps the stuff below from spoiling.
When I put the plastic on I let a foot or two lay flat on the bare ground around the perimeter.
I use a lot of dirt on the outside pulling the plastic tight, After a rain it seals it up real good. The heating stops. [I don't use any tires]
I feed with the Bobcat. fenceline bunks.

One 50X 100 pile of corn silage and 5 pounds per head per day of alfalfa hay will feed 100 cows for 3 months.

It takes me 8-10 days to get a pile covered.

 

[alabama]

Pictures please.

 

[Angus Guy]

We're chopping in this area now. Corn is doing real good 23-28t/a. I'm not chopping any this year because of the availablity of DDG's.

 

[Stocker Steve]

This I believe is the best way to store corn silage. Much less cost than bagging. Very little waste. I add a layer to the top every day. Adding inoculant to each load as I unload.

Have you tried self feeding out of a pile?
Are you sold on using inoculant?

 

[mnmtranching]

Bama, I'll work on some pics.

Like what? finished pile? what?

SS, I'm set up for fence line feeding and it works real good.
Fast and I can regulate.

Inoculant? I don't know, Like other things, they say it pays :shock:

It costs about 150$ to do 250 ton.

The price of the plastic 157$ up about 60$ from last year. :roll: They really do see you coming. :help: :help: