To determine the Maize Silage Price, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. While the tons being scaled are fresh and unshrunk, they will have been in storage and will be subject to fermentation shrink. Fermentation loss is generally between 8% and 10%. Then there is delivery cost, and cow performance. All of these things should be taken into account when calculating the price of your silage.
Estimating corn grain yields
One important factor to consider when estimating corn grain yields for maize silage is whether you plan to harvest at the right time. Late-planted corn is less likely to produce higher yields than those estimated when it is harvested at the right time. Moreover, the quality of the crop can vary widely in different areas of the Corn Belt. A few methods are available for estimating corn yields. The “slide rule” and the “corn yield calculator” methods are good general planning tools.
In addition, corn silage production dates are often variable. For example, early-planted corn is best for drying. However, if you plan to harvest the crop at an earlier time, the yield estimate has to be accurate. There are two methods for estimating corn silage tonnage: plant height and estimated grain yield. For both methods, a proportionate proportion of corn grain yield is assumed.
To get a good estimate of corn silage price, you can use the price of corn at harvest time. By adjusting for extra fertilizer or harvesting costs, you can estimate the value of corn silage as much as eight or ten times the price of corn. The difference between the two values is often significant. Once you have a good idea of how much corn silage is worth, you can price your crop accordingly.
Using grain equivalents for corn silage price can help you make better decisions about the best corn varieties to grow. Compared to older varieties, modern hybrids and modern crops have higher grain equivalents. A standard corn grain equivalent is 5 to 7 bushels per ton, but today’s modern corn varieties can reach up to eight bushels per ton. The difference between these two measurements may be as high as 10 bushels per ton.
Feed value
The feed value of maize silage varies considerably depending on its type. High-yielding lines often exhibit above-average fiber and dry matter digestibility. Increasing the concentration of a particular silage concentrate will improve the total food and ME intake. Increases in feed value will also increase carcass gains. However, this effect is not permanent. The nutritional quality of maize silage must be monitored to determine its optimal feed value.
Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration and drought also affect the feed value of maize silage. In a recent study, a free air carbon dioxide enrichment facility was operated in a maize field in order to increase CO2 concentration. Drought was induced by excluding precipitation from half the experimental plots. The silages were harvested and chopped and then ensiled. The feed value of maize silage varied widely, but there was generally no difference in digestibility between early and late-stage varieties.
To determine the feed value of maize silage, it is essential to determine its dry matter content. Because silage has varying amounts of dry matter, most calculations are done on a dry matter basis, which is then converted to an as-fed basis. The most common way to calculate treatment amounts is using the Pearson Square method. If silage is too moist, it will ferment poorly and lose nutrients via seepage. Excess moisture in silage also causes it to spoil and mold. Corn silage can also contain the stover portion of the plant, which contains fewer sugars and vitamin A. A silage’s pH, fermentation acid level, and ammonia content will tell you whether the silage is fermented properly or not.
GEM and crimping are similar in their DM content. However, they are harvested at a different stage of growth, with grain maturity varying by three to five weeks. For the best silage quality, cobs must be harvested when they are well developed and before the stover quality deteriorates. The cob contributes half of the silage’s whole-crop DM. Maize silage is easy to process and generally produces no heating or mold growth at feedout.
Delivery costs
There are several factors that influence the cost of maize silage delivery. While the actual cost of production is determined by comparing the silage’s dry matter content with the price of grain, the buyer may be willing to pay more for it because it is more nutritious. When calculating the cost of delivery, the transaction costs must be taken into consideration. The actual cost of harvesting the forage must be subtracted from the “market” price to determine the agreed value.
Corn silage is often priced off the price of corn grain as a comparison. The cost of earlage is calculated on a 15 percent moisture/85% dry matter basis, much like corn silage. However, this is a more complicated process than that for corn silage. The final cost of delivery varies from farm to farm, depending on the location. To make the decision easier, consider the cost of maize silage delivery.
The breakeven yield of corn silage for a winter forage crop is approximately two tons DM per acre. However, if a farmer is considering a double-cropped winter cereal, then their yields must be significantly higher. Likewise, they must consider the change in delivery costs due to a winter crop. Fortunately, there are newer, more accurate measures of digestible energy for corn silage.
Corn silage has been used as a feed for dairy cows for several decades. However, its value depends on its nutrient content and the prices of alternative feeds. If the price of corn silage is higher than that of corn grain, then a farmer can purchase these nutrients from other sources and ensure a balanced ration. So, when the price of maize silage is high, you will make a decent profit.
Cow performance
The price of maize is a major factor that affects feedlot performance. If corn is $3.50 a bushel, a cow can only consume nine cents worth of total digestible nutrients (TDN) from it. Corn silage, at 75 percent TDN, is the cheapest source of TDN. According to Galen Erickson, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension beef feedlot specialist, feeding silage to cattle increases efficiency and profitability.
While it is possible to rely on silage digestibility, it is important to consider the nutrient content of each sample. The DM content can vary widely depending on the conditions of fermentation. A silage that has a high DM content will be more digestible to cattle than one with low DM content. If silage contains a high level of carbohydrates and fat, mineral supplementation may be needed.
When used correctly, maize silage can be used to fill genuine feed deficits. If properly managed, it can increase milk production and lower costs. But the key is ensuring that the added feed is used efficiently. Research in New Zealand has shown that adding supplements to grass silage increases annual milksolids by between 32g MS/kg DM and 178g MS/ha. But converting the extra feed to profit requires careful management and attention to detail.
There are many ways to calculate the least cost ration for maize silage. First, you should determine which WPCS: CSS ratio you will use. Then, use that as your guide for selecting the best silage for your cattle. This will help you decide which one is best for your farm’s situation. Once you have calculated your LCR, you should know how to price maize silage.
Cost per MJME
The cost per MJME of maize silage is calculated by dividing the cost per kilogram of dry matter (DM) by the number of megajoules of metabolisable energy (MJME). Feed prices are quoted in cents per MJME. Maize silage is one example of supplementary feed, and costs will vary accordingly. Some feeds can be cheaper than others, while others may be better value for money.
Although the cost per MJME of maize silage is lower than that of supplementary feed, it is not a substitute for high-quality feed. Maize silage has many other benefits, including improving the yield per hectare, reducing stocking rates, and altering feed value. In addition, maize silage has proven to be a cost-effective supplementary feed and has resulted in substantial genetic gains. GlobalCo’s maize feeding systems have evolved over the last several years, based on research at the Waimate West Demonstration Farm. Using maize silage, new technologies and harvest management strategies are focused on manipulating feed value.
Using pioneer(r) brand 11C33 as a guideline, cost per MJME of maize for silage for sale is based on a 22 tDM crop and a 10.8 MJME/kgDM energy content. The cost per MJME of maize silage for sale includes the cost of fertilizer, nitrogen side-dressing, and harvesting. However, the cost per MJME of maize silage is a rough estimate as conditions vary significantly between regions.
The cost per MJME of maize silage is estimated to be about $20-$40 per ton, and there is considerable potential for return on investment. This is because the additional nutrients and organic matter removed from the crop can greatly reduce the cost per ton. In addition, the added yield can boost profitability of the farm. The total cost per ton of maize silage for the whole crop can be as low as $1,600.