“High Moisture Corn”
by Chris Reinhardt, feedlot specialist
For feeders that are willing to put in a little extra work at corn harvest, high moisture grain can be an excellent addition to their cattle feeding operation.
Properly ensiled high moisture corn has nearly equivalent digestibility and energy content compared to steam-flaked corn, yet doesn’t require the extensive up-front capital outlay. Harvesting corn early in the season can reduce field losses due to ear drop, and doesn’t require extra mechanical drying. Longer-growing season varieties may be used to capitalize on additional growing days, resulting in greater yield.
However, it does require extra planning, preparation, and management to make sure a rapid and complete anaerobic fermentation occurs.
There are 5 critical steps to putting up and getting the most from your high moisture corn. They are:
- Harvesting the grain at 24-33% moisture,
- fine grinding the grain,
- uniformly applying a quality commercial microbial silage inoculant designed for high moisture grains,
- effectively packing the grain as it is added to the pile
- completely sealing the grain pile or bunker
Rapid fermentation after packing results in accumulation of acids, reducing the pH of the grain pile which prevents mold growth. Once the pH of the grain drops down to about 4.5, the grain can be stored for a long period, provided oxygen is excluded. If oxygen is permitted into the system, mold can form, spoiling the grain.
High moisture corn is more highly and rapidly fermented in the rumen. If fed as part of a high-grain finishing diet, an additional element of caution and nutritional management is required. However, if grain processing by-products such as distillers grains or gluten feed are included in the diet at or above 30% of diet dry matter, or if the high moisture corn is used in a forage-based grower diet, the increased fermentability should not adversely affect performance.
Harvesting corn at high moisture and properly storing the grain can improve utilization of the grain for any cattle producer. Make sure to get quality technical advice during harvest, processing, storage, and feeding to make the most of this opportunity.
