Relationships Between Stage of Maturity of the Corn Plant at Time of Harvest for Corn Silage and Chemical Composition

Abstract

Two years of data on the effect of date of harvest of the corn plant for ensiling on its chemical composition showed date of harvest had no significant effect on percent crude protein or ether extract. However, in one year date of harvest was correlated with crude fiber (r2 = 0.60) and nitrogen-free extract (r2 = 0.68) and in both years with ash (r2 = 0.65). In both years maximum yield of dry matter per hectare occurred at the time the plant contained 33% dry matter. © 1971, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.