Silage Season Has Begun

Silage season has started in areas across South Dakota as choppers are making their way through cornfields mincing the plants into feed for dairy and/or beef cattle for the coming year.

For those unfamiliar with how the silage process works, we have a video of silage harvest from South Dakota Corn Utilization Council director, Jason Kontz’s family farm from a couple of years ago.

Why do famers chop some of their cornfields for silage? Chopping the entire plant makes for great cattle feed that is high in energy and easily digestible.

“We are fortunate to have a diversified farm where we have a lot of cattle to feed and this type of forage is an excellent source of nutrition for our livestock,” said Kontz.

The Kontz family also chops corn silage for a number of friends and neighbors.

For more information about corn silage season, Jason’s wife, Morgan, a Common Ground volunteer and author of the blog, “Stories of a First Generation Farm Wife,” wrote about silage harvest and provides regular updates about life on their families’ farm.

To get more in-depth, click here for silage management decision information from South Dakota State University Extension’s Warren Rusche.