Follow corn silage dry down rates for various locations in Pennsylvania.
| County | Hybrid | Maturity | Planting Date | Moisture % – 8/23 | Moisture % – 8/30 | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | Dekalb DKC 47-54 | 97 | 5/5/21 | 73% | 69% | Koster Tester |
| Lancaster | Pioneer P0339 | 103 | 6/8/21 | 79% | 74% | Koster Tester |
| Lancaster | Pioneer P1197 | 111 | 5/12/21 | 76% | 66% | Koster Tester |
| Lancaster | Dekalb DKC 62-08 | 112 | 6/8/21 | 79% | 73% | Koster Tester |
| Schuylkill | Pioneer P0843 | 108 | 5/13/21 | 75% | 68% | Koster Tester |
| Bradford | Seed Consultants 851AM | 85 | 5/15/21 | 72% | 65% | Microwave |
| Bradford | Dekalb | 102 | 5/19/21 | 65% (8/24) | Microwave | |
| Bradford | SCS900Q | 89 | 4/27/21 | 68% (8/27) | Microwave | |
| Bradford | FS 58R47 | 108 | 5/15/21 | 72% (8/31) | Koster Tester |
Optimal moisture content for silage harvest varies slightly based on the structure used for storage. For maximum corn silage quality, use the following as a guide:
- Horizontal silos: 65-70%
- Tower silos: 63-68%
- Oxygen-limiting silos: 55-60%
- Bags: 65%
As individual hybrids dry down, silage moisture should be monitored to insure optimal moisture content during harvest. To learn more about how to calculate your own moisture sample using a microwave oven, check out this video from Penn State Extension.
Stay tuned to Field Crop News for weekly updates on these hybrids as they continue to dry down.
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