by James I. Sprague, Ph. D., Livestock Nutritionist

Early planted, short day corn
Short day varieties of corn, coupled with early planting, have become a popular tactic of farmers. The reasons are: (1) the lack of irrigation water in some areas compared to long season varieties, (2) an opportunity to get a premium price for the dry grain ahead of the normal fall harvest, (3) to cut as an early harvested corn silage, or (4) as a “green chop” whole plant forage used over an extended period of time.

“Green chop” forage
These short season varieties will have considerable early ear formation giving the potential for use as “green chop” whole plant forage. Note the accompanying picture taken on July 2, 2004. As green chop, it has been used successfully as part of a starter, growing and finish ration by cattle feeders. Dr. Phillip Pharr, consultant at Scott City, Kansas, has experience feeding green chop corn. “My clients in Kansas and Colorado use green chop corn during silage harvest. It is very palatable.”

Cattle feeders may consider using green chop corn as a starting ration in combination with dry forage, a limited amount of grain and a supplement. The sugar content may cause some “looseness” in the manure and the amount offered may need to be reduced with dry forage. In finish rations, it usually replaces corn silage. The moisture content will decrease as the plants mature, causing a need to change the percent in the ration as the harvest progresses.

One of the draw-backs is the need to harvest every day. Pharr stressed, “Keep the feed fresh cut and do not hold it over night.” ©