Corn Dry Matter

The PFM Team tested 16 samples at the Dry Down held on Thursday 9/29/2011.
This was the second event held this year. We scheduled them over a week apart to try to fit the expected drying rate of corn with widely varying planting dates because of the extremely wet weather this growing season.

Dry matter range was 25% to 42%,which was similar to the results we saw 9/20/2011. Several fields were tested at both dates. Surprisingly the the results were only a few points different, probably because of the constant precipitation and soaked soil. As expected much of the corn that was at acceptable DM levels last time is in the process of being harvested. It seems that it is a slow muddy process this year seeing that we have record precipitation this season, even exceeding the rain fall of 2006.
Some corn may well have to stand until frost to reach acceptable DM levels for harvest and fermentation.
Several observations that surprised us is that whole plant moisture is higher that one might expect form the condition of the kernels. Fully dented and flinty kernels still could be on the low side of whole plant dry matter. Kernel processing is definitely indicated if at all possible.

The second is that BMR samples consistently look to be dryer that they are. Although the stalk and leaves look to be overly dry there still is a lot of moisture in the ears. This should help starch utilization even in unprocessed silage.

The take home message from what we have seen is especially in a year like this, dry matter testing is very important. The time honored whole plant indicators we have relied on may easily fool you in a year like this.

To that end, if you need assistance measuring dry matter in late maturing corn, we can do a chop and test at the WAC office in Walton. Contact the office at 607-865-6531 . Ask for Dale,Paul, Dan or Nate to schedule a time.