The Ear and Leaf-Stalk Contents of Corn Forage as Factors in Silage Evaluation

Abstract

Determinations of the dry-matter content and yields of the ear and leaf-stalk portions of corn forage at stages ranging from early-silage to advanced-silage condition were carried out during 5 successive seasons. High correlations were found between the percentage dry-matter content of the forage and the ear content of the forage. The data make it possible to estimate with a high degree of precision the ear content of corn forage or corn silage having a known dry-matter content. A procedure is presented for making this estimate and converting it into terms of farm commodities, namely, bushels of ears and pounds of hay equivalent, to which market prices may be applied.