Planting Date Effects on Corn Silage Yield and Quality

Joe Lauer, University of Wisconsin – Madison

We have written quite a bit about planting date effects on corn grain yield (high moisture and dry corn).  What about its effects on corn silage?  As planting date becomes more delayed, there is an increased likelihood that fields intended for grain will be harvested for silage, especially if the year remains cool.

Figure 1. Corn forage yield response of full-season hybrids (104-108 RM) to planting date during 2003 to 2012 at Arlington, WI (N= 235 plots).

Figure 1. Corn forage yield response of full-season hybrids (104-108 RM) to planting date during 2003 to 2012 at Arlington, WI (N= 235 plots).

The grain yield response of full-season hybrids to planting date at Arlington for the last 10 years has been described previously.  These treatments were established using 8-row plots; four rows were harvested for silage Continue reading

Farmers Ecouraged to Contact Insurance Provider about Haying or Grazing a Cover Crop this Spring

FARMERS ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT INSURANCE PROVIDER ABOUT HAYING OR GRAZING A COVER CROP THIS SPRING

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

News Release from the USDA Risk Management Agency, Contact: Dustin Vande Hoef, 515-281-3375.

DES MOINES –Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged farmers with cover crops to contact their insurance provider if they are interested in haying or grazing after May 10, 2013.  The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) has provided new guidance that insurance providers may allow farmers to continue to hay or gaze the cover crop until May 22, 2013. Continue reading