Effect of Corn Plant Maturity on Yield and Nutrient Quality of Corn Plants, 2- Year Summary

Authors

Cassandra A. Row, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Robert G. Bondurant, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Andrea K. Watson Watson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jana Harding, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jim C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Comments

© The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Corn plots were serially harvested over 2 years to evaluate changes in nutrient content, digestibility, and yield as plants matured from half- milk line through black layer. In yr 1 (2013), short (102 d) and normal (111 d) season hybrids were grown. Year 2 used 111 d and 112 d hybrids. Silage and grain yield increased until black layer. Silage DM increased with maturity to 42% at black layer. Percent NDF in the stover, NDF- digestibility and overall silage TDN increased quadratically as maturity increased. Th ere is a balance between moisture content, nutrient content, and silage yield, as corn plants mature.