Factors Affecting Nutritive Value of Corn and Sorghum Silage

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Abstract
Heavy fertilization of corn or sorghum generally improves the nitrogen content of forage produced but otherwise has little effect on nutritional quality. High density feeding has a detrimental effect on nutritive value. In terms of lactation performance, silages from early-maturing or high-grain varieties and hybrids are usually equal or slightly superior to late-maturing varieties of low-grain content. Dry matter intake and milk yields are slightly improved by delaying harvest to the ripe-seed stages of maturity, whereas efficiency is reduced. Seed content of corn and sorghum silages per se is an unreliable quality criterion. Neither grinding, pelleting, nor harvest of selected portions of the corn or sorghum plant appears to offer practical means of quality improvement. Limestone, calcium carbonate, and sodium metabisulfite have been tested as preservatives in corn silage. None was beneficial to dairy cattle. Urea can be safely used as a silage additive, but its value relative to the common plant protein sources has not been satisfactorily established.