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Southern MB |
In our area we like to combine grains at the following moistures....
Silo 25-30%
Bagged 25-30%
Bunker 25-35%
In bunkers if we get below 25% we tend to have a harder time packing to get oxygen out. Run into more mold issues. Some guys will run silos as low as 22% moisture with success.
We make sure the grain kernels are rolled in yard to expose the starch prior to ensiling. Some producers use roller mills with discharge augers while others have taken off the header from their self propelled chopper and mounted a hopper to send corn through the cracker and blow onto pile. Most in my area will add an inoculant right after rolling and then pack, pack, pack the grain on the pile. Cover pile and keep oxygen out as best you can.
For us here in Canada we typically have to dry corn and we find the cost savings on not having to dry are big. Also gets us off the field faster to allow for field work.
The way I see the comparison between high moisture grain vs dry is what are the other ingredients in your ration and how do they compliment each other once its balanced. It helps to add moisture to the finishing diet if required and typically increases solubility. Younger cattle tend to have an "adaptation period" to grains and forages that are ensiled. Once they have acquired the taste they are off and running.
Hope this helps some.
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high moisture corn
