Small Cereal Grain Silage Producer Practices and Key Factors to Consider for Operations

The use of small grain silage to feed livestock has grown in popularity, although the more common source of silage is annual corn. A benefit of producing small cereal grain is double cropping, harvest a forage source in the spring prior to planting the summer annual crop. Although the cereal and corn silage processes are similar there are key differences within management decisions for producers. Objective one was to understand current management decisions from Nebraska producers pre- and post- fermentation surveys along with small cereal silage samples were analyzed. Some best management practices such as the dry matter (DM), DM density, and the rate of face removal in a 24-hour period, known as feedout were analyzed. Many of the producers were not able to achieve the target 30-35% DM for their forage, which is a best management practice. Generally, this was due to lack of time the forage was field dried. Consequently, forage ensiled at a DM% less than 30% resulted in an increased total digestible nutrient loss. For objective two, attendees of the silage conference in fall of 2022 received a survey regarding their management practices. In an analysis of the producers who fed beef cows compared to those who fed growing and finishing animals more centimeters of face removal were fed per 24-hour period by producers who fed growing and finishing animals. Most beef cow producers were not meeting the target feedout rate. Based on the stage of harvest, the research showed producers who harvest at boot are more concerned with the timing of harvest compared to those who harvest at soft dough. These producers showed no difference (P = 0.38, P = 0.77) for the quality or yield of the crop. These data show what educational information could help producers achieve optimal small cereal silage to feed their livestock. Factors such as moisture management, ways to optimize their feedout, and strategies to manage the timing of harvest and planting the next crop will allow producers to make better decisions about small cereal silage management. Advisor: Mary E. Drewnoski