By Scout Nelson
Hot and dry conditions in North Dakota are creating difficult decisions for corn producers. Some farmers are considering whether to harvest their corn for grain or chop it for silage. Possible feed shortages caused by drought are also making this decision more important.
North Dakota State University Extension farm management specialist Ron Haugen explained that producers need a clear way to estimate the value of a standing corn crop when it is used as silage. “Producers who planned on harvesting corn ask, ‘What is the value of standing corn if it is chopped for silage and used for feed?’” said Haugen.
NDSU Extension has updated its publication that explains how to determine the value of standing corn for silage. The publication includes current values, calculation methods, and useful examples. Producers can use the information to better understand the financial value of their crop before making a harvest decision. It can be found at ndsu.ag/corn-silage-26.
Extension specialists have also updated a corn silage decision tool. The downloadable Excel spreadsheet allows producers to enter information from their own farms. It includes options for changing the estimated price of corn silage and calculating expected yields. The decision tool can be found at ndsu.ag/cornsilagetool26.
Several factors affect the value of standing corn. These include expected crop yield, the price of other feed crops, and the costs of harvesting and transporting the silage. The tool also provides formulas and examples based on different row spacings and dry matter levels.
The updated resources can help producers compare their options and make decisions based on their own farm conditions. This can be especially useful during drought when feed supplies, crop quality, and production costs may change.
The updated publication and decision tool are available through NDSU Extension resources.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-luc-pouliot.
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Corn, Harvesting