April/May 2026 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN 13 field, depends on proper processing and machine settings, and ultimately hinges on packing and storage – the step that is most often overlooked. HMC is an excellent feed source and should be thought of more like “pickling” than drying, Grabenstein says. Moisture management is critical, with ideal kernel moisture between 28 and 32 percent. At this range, corn should be processed through a roller mill or hammer mill to crack the kernels, making starch more available for digestion. Roller mill processing is often preferred because it produces fewer fines or dust, reducing the risk of acidosis. The goal is to crack every kernel, leaving less than 5 percent whole kernels and less than 5 percent dust. Just like silage, oxygen is the enemy of a stable, well-conditioned HMC product. Grabenstein’s rule of thumb: “Spread 6 inches of processed corn while you’re packing it – oxygen removal and packing density are your best friends.” Finally, timely covering creates the seal necessary for proper fermentation and long-term feed quality. Left: Attention to harvest details of dry matter, chop length, kernel processing, packing and sealing will pay off. Don’t skimp on any of the steps! Photo Courtesy of Connor Agriscience. Below: Make piles only as high as the unloader can safely reach. Photo Courtesy of Connor Agriscience. It’s important to pack oxygen out of silage piles and bunkers, layering in 6 inches at a time and using heavy pack tractors from start to finish. Pack perpendicular to the pile to avoid a herringbone effect. Photo Courtesy of Connor Agriscience. Animal health can certainly be impacted by rotten feedstuffs. Mold and mycotoxin growth can reduce overall consumption, leading to poor milk production, poor weight gain and reproductive issues. Protein degradation is a real robber of overall performance. If the fermentation process is poor, the breakdown of silage into ammonia and non-protein nitrogen reduces these efficiencies within the animal. Simply removing spoiled silage is not the answer as leaching in the bunker is very much a real effect as well. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 “Nutrient density starts in the field, and harvest timing is one of the most critical management decisions a producer makes.” – Adam Grabenstein
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