With corn maturity lagging throughout much of the Midwest and Northeast this season, many producers will be feeding corn silage with a much different feed value than normal.

In general, say agronomy experts at Michigan State University, immature silage will have higher fiber, slightly higher protein and slightly lower energy content than usual. The fiber content for very immature corn silage, or wet silage with excessive seepage, may exceed 55 percent neutral detergent fiber. Meanwhile, digestibility may drop 10 to 15 percent because of the higher fiber content.

Balance diets that contain immature corn silage with higher concentrate levels.

With corn maturity lagging throughout much of the Midwest and Northeast this season, many producers will be feeding corn silage with a much different feed value than normal.

Consider having separate storage areas for different feeding groups. This allows you to feed different silage based on stage of lactation and specific dietary needs, says Rich Bennek, forage nutrition specialist at Mycogen Seeds.

Ensiling some wet distillers grains with corn silage increases aerobic stability at feed-out, according to research from South Dakota State University.