Many corn fields currently are too dry for making the best silage. Adding water to increase moisture content is next to impossible. It takes about seven gallons of water for each ton of silage to raise moisture content just one point. Even if you have enough water the chopped corn can't absorb it fast enough to do any good. Another solution may be to blend a wetter feed, like fresh alfalfa, forage sorghum, or green soybeans with dry corn. It can be tricky to get the right combination, but it can produce excellent silage.
Your main goal should be to minimize oxygen in your silage. Another way to help accomplish this is to adjust knives to cut finer. Also, do some extra packing even if the chopped corn seems to spring right back up at you.
Save your wettest forage for the top layer. This helps add extra packing weight and gets better sealing. If you do have water handy, apply it to this top layer for even more packing weight. Plus, always cover dry silage with plastic to prevent outside air from seeping in.
To get the best silage, the corn needs to be at optimal moisture, but if it's too dry, chop fine, pack well, and cover with plastic for good results.
Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist
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