Corn harvest: when is the time right?

In the view of ForFarmers, you get an optimal ration at 36 to 38 percent dry matter for maize silage in combination with an optimal amount of starch. As far as starch is concerned, you prefer to go for a maximum ripe grain, but that can sometimes lead to too high a total dry matter. That is why it is important to assess both stem and leaf as well as the cob for dry matter and then see how you get on with dry matter. Determine the right harvest time in 3 steps.  

Step 1: Assess dry matter stem and leaf

10 percent less starch loss
According to independent research by Groeikracht, a good silage agent leaves you with 10 percent more starch in your maize, which represents a value of € 200 per hectare. But that's not all. For example, SiloSolve FC stabilizes the maize ensiled very quickly, which greatly reduces the risk of scalding and mold formation and, if necessary, the maize can also be fed soon after ensilage.

Step 2: Assess dry matter of the flask
The dry matter content of the cob can be estimated using the milk line in the grain. The milk line is the separation between the solid starch and the milk portion. The milk line can best be judged by a grain from the center of the cob. For maximum use of the starch, you have to wait until the 'black layer' (cork layer) starts to discolour. This is a sign that the kernel is maximally filled with starch.

Step 3: Combine and determine the dry matter content
Based on the determined dry matter percentages for stem and leaf and for the cob, the dry matter content of the total plant can be read using the table below. And with that, whether the right harvest moment is in sight!

What is the ideal harvest time per category?
We are currently seeing different categories of maize fields. Keep a close eye on your fields to determine the right harvest time.

Green corn with cob
If the maize has developed well despite the drought and is still green, wait until the cob is fully ripe before harvesting. The maize is best harvested at a dry matter content of 36% to 38%.

Green corn without cob 
Respiration still takes place in a green maize plant. The crop can still grow and thus produce more mass. Wait to harvest the maize until the leaves start to change color and have reached a dry matter percentage of 28-30%. Do not let the maize plants become too dry, because it is more difficult to compact the crop properly during silage without the cob. The digestibility of the crop will also deteriorate sharply. Keep a close eye on the field to determine the right harvest time.

Dried corn with cob
Has the corn plant dried up but has a cob formed? Then wait to harvest until the cob is ripe. In this case, the leaves above the cob must still be green, so that the sugar in the plant can be converted into starch. When the leaves have already died, the cob will most likely not fully mature. The flasks should also not be cracked. With cracked cobs, there is no more sap flow to the flask and the flask does not ripen. If the cobs are already loose and the moisture content of the plant is above 28%, do not wait any longer with the harvest.

Plots (green or withered) without flask
Wait to harvest this maize until a dry matter percentage of 28-30%. Do not let the maize plants become too dry, because it is more difficult to compact the crop properly during silage without the cob. The digestibility and palatability of the crop will also deteriorate sharply.

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