12 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN April/May 2026 Eliminating Invisible Loss How Harvest Decisions and Proper Storage Drive Silage Profitability KELSEY POPE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Silage and high-moisture corn play a critical role in cattle rations, directly influencing animal performance, feed efficiency and, ultimately, cost of gain. When managed correctly, they can be some of the most economical and effective energy sources in a feeding program. However, the success of silage isn’t decided at feedout – it’s determined long before the chopper ever enters the field. Adam Grabenstein is a fifth-generation farmer and feedlot owner near Farnam and is the District 5 Nebraska Corn Board representative. He has a long history of making, storing and feeding silage and attests that one of his favorite things while growing up on the farm was packing silage “old school” with a John Deere 4840. Grabenstein says making a great silage feedstuff starts with harvest timing and moisture management, setting the foundation for everything that follows. Why Harvest Preparation Ma ers “Nutrient density starts in the field, and harvest timing is one of the most critical management decisions a producer makes,” Grabenstein explains. “In corn silage, maturity is often evaluated by the ʻmilk line’ in the kernel, which helps determine optimal moisture and starch development. Proper moisture ensures bacteria have enough water to move and drive fermentation – but not so much that valuable nutrients are lost through seepage.” Dry matter (DM) content is the single-most important factor influencing successful fermentation, with the sweet spot typically falling between 32 and 35 percent DM. If silage is harvested too wet, the risk of clostridial fermentation increases, leading to nutrient loss and poor feed quality. If harvested too dry, the crop will not pack tightly, creating oxygen pockets that result in heating, mold and yeast growth. Getting moisture right sets the stage for stable fermentation, preserved nutrients and improved animal performance. Making Quality Silage The fermentation process is where silage quality is either protected or compromised, and it hinges on three primary considerations: length of cut, kernel processing and inoculant use. Chop length should be no more than ¾ of an inch to allow for efficient packing in the pile and optimal digestion in the animal. Proper kernel processing is equally critical. CATTLEMAN “The corn kernel has a natural ʻarmor’ that protects the starch inside,” Grabenstein says. “By cracking or smashing the kernel, those starches become far more available for digestion, significantly improving nutrient uptake and performance.” Bacterial inoculants serve as valuable jump starters for fermentation, helping establish the right microbial population quickly and promoting a stable, efficient fermentation. The last steps involve packing and sealing – often the most undervalued yet most critical steps in the entire silage process, and they must be done right. “Preserving the pile is essential to minimizing spoilage, because oxygen robs nutrient density and allows mold to destroy valuable feed,” Grabenstein explains. “Simply put, oxygen is the enemy of great silage. The goal of packing is to drive the air out as quickly as possible so lactic acid can accumulate and rapidly drop the pH, stabilizing the feed.” The most effective way to achieve a dense pack is by building the pile in short layers – 6 inches or fewer is hypercritical for proper compaction. This step is frequently rushed when loads stack up waiting to be pushed, but cutting corners costs far more in lost nutrients later. Once the pile is complete, seal it immediately with a high-quality oxygen-barrier film and weight it down securely. Every hour silage remains exposed results in lost sugars and energy that can never be recovered. Grabenstein validates that when these steps are done properly, your silage will be setup for a longer shelf life. When it is not done consistently or timely, shrink is a major challenge in quality feedstuffs. When the top layer is exposed to oxygen, aerobic spoilage and rot occurs. “In the top 3 feet of uncovered bunker, you can lose 30 to 50 percent DM. Furthermore, if this silage is not covered, you can count on a 10 to 20 percent overall DM shrink throughout the pile,” Grabenstein says. This “invisible loss” cuts feed value; a robber where carbon dioxide and the heat produced by yeast and mold consume the best nutrients. “These nutrients that disappear first are the most important to your livestock’s overall performance,” Grabenstein says. “These sugars and digestible starches are what make great corn-fed beef!” Managing High-Moisture Corn High-moisture corn (HMC) follows the same foundational principles as silage: success starts with the product in the PRODUCTION
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