2010 Drought
Handbook for
Grain/Crop
Producers
University of Maryland Extension
Agriculture Profitability Team
Foreword
This handbook was originally compiled by Craig Yohn, West Virginia University Extension
Agent-Jefferson County in response to the widespread drought of 2007. The handbook was
adapted to Maryland conditions by Ben Beale, Extension Educator with University of Maryland
and distributed to farmers during that time. We had hoped it would stay on the shelves and
collect dust for a while longer. Unfortunately that is not the case.
The summer of 2010 has been a challenge for most producers around the state. The spring
started off without a hitch. Crops were planted on time and looked very good heading into the
summer growing season. However June and July brought record heat coupled with sporadic
rainfall. The result has been a very poor growing season. We anticipate a marked decline in
yields of many crops, particularly hay, pasture and corn.
Thus, the University of Maryland Agriculture Profitability team, in conjunction with industry
and government partners, revised the drought handbook for use in 2010. The handbook has
been expanded to include a grain edition and forage/animal edition. The handbook contains a
wide variety of information relevant to drought conditions.
A major difference between 2007 and 2010 is the relief from more rains and cooler
temperatures in August. Thankfully, many soybean acres will have a chance to rebound. It may
also open up some options for emergency forage seedings and allow for decent germination of
cover crop and small grain plantings.
The UME Ag Profitability Team appreciates the efforts of Kathi Dionne, Administrative
Assistant in the St. Mary’s County UME office for assistance in layout and editing.
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Maryland Drought Monitor
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Table of Contents
Maryland Department of Agriculture Offering Free Grain/Forage
Testing Program .................................................................................. 5
Plan Ahead to Deal with Corn Stalk Rots, Ear Rots, and Toxins
in Grain................................................................................................ 6
Aflatoxins in Corn Will Be A Concern This Harvest Season .............. 8
Meeting Grain Contract Obligations ................................................. 11
Equipment is Key to Drought Harvest ............................................... 14
Fall Seeded Winter Annuals for Forage ............................................ 16
Loss Reporting Tips for Crop Insurance............................................ 20
2010 Corn Silage Value Examples .................................................... 21
Determining the Yield of Corn Silage Without
Weighing Wagons ............................................................................. 22
University of Maryland Extension Offices ........................................ 23
4
Maryland Department of Agriculture Offering Free Grain/Forage Testing
Program
The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is offering a free testing program to drought impacted
Maryland farmers for nitrate and prussic acid in forage and for aflatoxin in corn grain. Prussic acid poisoning is
mostly associated with sorghum and related species. The program is a cooperative effort between MDA and the
University of Maryland Extension. Testing is done by the MDA State Chemist’s Section.
Farmers can bring their samples to their nearest UME office so that UME can assist them with paperwork and
make sure the samples and paperwork are properly prepared. MDA will pick up the samples daily (Monday
through Friday) and fax results to farmers usually within 24 hours.
Instructions for preparing and packing samples for testing are below. Use one Sample Identification and
Information Sheet for each sample submitted. Place samples in a plastic bag and refrigerate or freeze as soon as
possible, especially if held overnight, and keep on ice during transport. Each separate field should have its own
paperwork and sample.
Taking corn samples for aflatoxin analysis:
• Collect 12 ears of corn from different areas of the field to get a representative sample.
• Keep cold as described above.
(Note: Shelled corn already harvested can also be tested. Collect a 1 quart representative sample and bring to
the Extension office)
Taking silage samples for nitrate and prussic acid analysis:
• Collect at least 10 stalks from different areas of the field to get a representative sample.
• Chop silage up into 6” pieces and thoroughly mix samples together.
• Prussic acid samples must be kept frozen at all times to prevent volatilization of prussic acid (hydrocyanic
acid).
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Plan Ahead to Deal with Corn Stalk Rots, Ear Rots and Toxins in Grain
Dr. Arvydas (Arv) Grybauskas, Plant Pathologist; University of Maryland
Corn harvest will begin earlier this season due to the high average temperatures increasing the speed with which
growing degree-days (GDD) have accumulated. Typically in seasons characterized by high temperatures and
droughty conditions there is an increase in stalk rots and certain ear rots. Most notably two fungal ear rots that
can produce toxins in the grain, Aspergillus and Fusarium ear rot, are favored by these conditions. The more
dangerous of the two is Aspergillus. Aspergillus infected kernels can contain the carcinogenic toxins known as
aflatoxins.
Aspergillus is a fungus that is highly tolerant of high temperatures. It is this high temperature tolerance that
makes Aspergillus the most prevalent ear-infecting fungus during hot dry conditions. The fungus survives in
soil and crop debris and is spread to silks by wind and insects. The use of certain types of BT corn have helped
reduce the incidence of Aspergillus infection by reducing the insect-associated infections but direct wind-aided
infections are still possible. Stressed corn appears to be more susceptible to infection. Typically only a few
kernels near the tip are infected by Aspergillus, but tolerance levels for aflatoxin are in parts per billion (e.g. 20
ppb for human consumption). A blacklight is commonly employed as a quick preliminary test for aflatoxin
contamination. A sample of cracked or coarsely ground kernels is illuminated with a blacklight and viewed for a
yellow-green fluorescence. It is important to know that the fluorescing material is not aflatoxin itself but rather
it is an indicator of (correlated with) aflatoxin. Other material such as corn glumes (a.k.a. beeswings), certain
weed seeds, and uninfected kernel tips, also will fluoresce under blacklight making false positives possible.
Since the advisory limits are at ppb levels false negatives in the presence of Aspergillus are also possible with
the blacklight test. There are commercially available rapid test kits that provide better and in many cases
quantitative detection, as well as commercial labs that will test for toxins.
Similar to Aspergillus, Fusarium ear and kernel rot is favored by high temperatures and droughty conditions
especially when the occurrence is near flowering. There are several species of Fusarium that are involved but
generally they are different from the primary species that cause scab in wheat. Fusarium ear and kernel rot is
important because of a production of a class of toxins known as Fumonisins. Fumonisin are known to cause
equine leukoencephalomalacia, “blind staggers” in horses and pulmonary edema in swine, and have been linked
to human cancers in other parts of the world. Different tests are required to detect Fumonisins.
Stalk rots that are caused by fungi and result in premature lodging are also generally favored during a stressful
growing season. In general any stress on the corn plant can lead to insufficient capacity of the plant to provide
photosynthate to the developing ear. When this occurs, the plant mobilizes stored carbohydrates from the stalks
to fill the demand. This leads to premature senescence of stalk tissue and predisposes the plant to colonization
by any number of opportunistic stalk rotting fungi.
Regardless of the cause of the stalk rot or ear rot, there are a few things that can be done to minimize harvest
losses. First, harvest the corn at high grain moisture (25 to 27%), and make sure the combine is adjusted
properly to minimize cracking. Harvesting as early as practical reduces the time that the damaging fungi have at
colonizing the target tissue. This reduces lodging due to stalk rots, and reduces kernel infection and toxin
development. Minimizing the number of cracked kernels is important because they are more susceptible to postharvest colonization and toxin development. You can also use a simple pre-harvest stalk testing technique to
determine which fields are at greater risk for lodging allowing you to schedule harvest accordingly. You can
either pinch stalk internodes to determine a percentage that are soft and likely to lodge if left in the field, or you
can use the push test. The push test is simply pushing corn stalks at arm’s length and determining the percentage
that break. In both cases, you will get better information as the number of plants and sites scouted increases. A
rule of thumb I like is 10 stalks in 10 sites for every 10 acres.
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It is also important to note that fungicides used near tassel will not have a direct effect on stalk rotting. If there
was a foliar disease present, the fungicide reduced the stress associated with the foliar disease which can
indirectly reduce stalk rotting. However, there is no fungicide residue available by the time stalks are
predisposed to stalk rotting fungi to directly affect the colonization by these fungal organisms.
To reduce the damage from ear rots and in particular to keep toxin development to a minimum, after harvesting
corn at high moisture with careful attention to minimizing the amount of cracking, dry the corn as soon as
possible (within a day or two) to 15.5% moisture or lower. The ear rotting fungi continue to grow in high
moisture corn in the bin. Controlling moisture and temperature of harvested corn is the most cost-effective
method of preventing spoilage.
Figure 1. Healthy stalk (left), stalk rot (right).
Figure 2: Fusarium ear rot.
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Aflatoxins in Corn Will be a Concern This Harvest Season
Article by: Gordon Johnson, University of Delaware; 2007
There are many mycotoxins that can be produced by fungi in grain. The types of fungi that proliferate and the
toxins that are produced depend on weather conditions, insect damage, diseases present, stress encountered and
variety interactions. In a dry year, aflatoxins are the predominant mycotoxin present in corn at harvest.
Aflatoxins are produced by the mold fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These fungi can be
recognized by their yellow-green or gray-green colors respectively on corn kernels.
Aflatoxins are often a problem in hot, dry years on drought stressed corn. According to an Iowa State Extension
publication on the topic ‘The prime conditions for the fungus to produce toxin are warm August nights in a
period of drought’ which describes most of Delaware (and Delmarva as a whole) at this time.
Aflatoxins are potent poisons and can contaminate feed ingredients leading to health and performance problems
in animals (dairy, beef, swine, poultry). They are also considered carcinogens and are a human health concern.
A rapid test is often used on corn for initial indication of aflatoxin. This is done with a black light at a
wavelength of 365 nm. Contaminated corn will give off a greenish-gold fluorescence. More than four particles
showing this fluorescence in a five pound sample indicates levels of aflatoxin above 20 parts per billion (ppb),
the initial level of concern. However, this is just an initial screen. More accurate testing is necessary to assess
actual levels. This is done using commercially available test kits or by sending samples to an analytical
laboratory. Both the Delaware Department of Agriculture and Maryland Department of Agriculture can provide
aflatoxin testing for growers (free of charge) in those states. This is particularly of use for growers who store or
feed their own grain.
The fungi that produce aflatoxins are found in plant residue. They produce many spores that can infect silks or
kernels of corn, usually through insect wounds. The Aspergillis fungus grows best in hot, sunny, dry daytime
weather conditions with warm nights. Drought damaged corn is most susceptible. Insects can further spread the
fungus when feeding on an ear.
Managing for aflatoxins begins with assessing fields for insect or other damage. Fields with heavy European
corn borer pressure, corn earworm feeding on tips, bird feeding, or storm damage should be noted and tested
before harvest. If a field is suspect, samples should be collected form 20 or more locations, taking at least 5
pounds of grain from every 5 acres. Dry samples to 12-14 % moisture or freeze to stop aflatoxin development
(aflatoxin can increase in stored samples if at higher moistures) and immediately deliver to the laboratory for
testing. Dried samples can be shipped in paper bags (do not use plastic). Scout fields at black layer and again
two weeks before harvest.
If fields test positive for aflatoxins or you expect high levels, you should make provisions to harvest those fields
first and dry the grain quickly. Adjust combines to minimize kernel damage as this can cause the fungus to
increase. Grain with high levels of aflatoxin should be stored separately if possible. Grain storage facilities
should be carefully cleaned to minimize infection of incoming grain by Aspergillus and other mold spores.
Avoid grain damage during handling and if possible, clean corn before storage (screening). Do not store grain in
non-aerated conditions for more than 4 hours (trucks, wet tanks, combine bin). Aflatoxin production is
effectively stopped if grain is dried to 12% moisture. It proliferates at a moisture of 18% and temperatures
above 80° F.
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Corn that is contaminated at levels greater than 20 ppb may not be sold for interstate commerce. It can be used
locally for livestock and poultry if under certain levels, but not for lactating dairy. Check with your grain buyers
on how they will handle aflatoxin contaminated corn. Blending with non-contaminated corn to reduce levels to
below 20 ppb may be an option. Cleaning grain by screening or a gravity table can also reduce aflatoxin
concentrations.
For more information see these web sites:
Aflatoxins in Corn from Iowa State University Extension (PDF)
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1800.pdf
Minimizing Aflatoxin in Corn from Mississippi State University
http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1563.htm
Aflatoxins in Corn from the University of Kentucky (PDF)
http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/id/id59/id59.pdf
Reducing Aflatoxin in Corn During Harvest and Storage from the University of Georgia (PDF)
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubs/PDF/B1231.pdf
Aspergillus Fungus that Produces Aflatoxin in Corn
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Aspergillus Ear Rot. This is the fungus that produces aflatoxin.
Photo by Alison Robertson, Department of Plant Pathology, Iowa State University
Aflatoxin Tolerance Table
Table from Iowa State University Extension Publication PM1800 Aflatoxins in Corn
Prepared by Gary Munkvold, extension plant pathologist; Charles Hurburgh, professor of agricultural and
biosystems engineering; and Julie Meyer, plant pathologist.
Updated by Charles Hurburgh, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering; Dan Loy, professor,
animal science and Alison Robertson, extension plant pathologist.
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Meeting Grain Contract Obligations
Jennifer Rhodes, Shannon Dill and Ben Beale; Extension Educators
University of Maryland Extension
Adapted in part from: NSW Farmers Association1
The combination of a promising start to the grain growing season, a number of subsequent months of below
average rainfall at the same time as high grain prices has meant that a large number of grain growers are unable
to meet forward and physical contractual obligations. This is exacerbated by high debt to equity ratios given the
series of drought affected below average harvest years experienced in recent years.
This fact sheet provides growers with information regarding contracts in general and the potential options if
growers are unable to meet their contractual obligations.
Some Basics about Contracts
A contract is an oral or written agreement between two or more parties which is enforceable by law. Grain
contracts are important tools for managing price and income risk in the volatile price environment that exists
today. However, using them successfully requires a complete understanding of how various contracts work, the
kinds of risk they are designed to control, and the areas of risk that remain after the contract is signed.
It is important to understand that the contracting firm-typically an elevator or feed mill is not able to simply
cancel a contract. The contracting firm establishes a position in the futures or options market to support your
contract, and hence has financial obligations that depend on timely fulfillment of your contractual obligations.
Remember that if your crop suffers losses through adverse seasonal conditions such as frost and drought, these
are considered production risks and are not covered by ‘Act of God’ or ‘Force Majeure’ clauses.
What to do if you are unable to fill a forward contract?
The following should be considered by growers who are unable to provide the grain required under their
contract:
Communicate with the Elevator and Financial Institution
-Contact your buyer to determine what options are available as soon as possible. This will make the
elevator aware of your situation and better prepared to provide alternative options. Buyers may be more
amenable if they are warned as soon as you suspect an issue.
-Contact your financial lender as soon as you are aware that you may have a short crop, be unable to meet
your contractual obligations and/or have the potential for cash flow problems.
Options that may be available, dependent upon buyer or elevator
Option 1) Acquire grain elsewhere to fulfill your contract obligations
oIn circumstances where the elevator is committed to delivery of the bushels under contract to a
third party (feed mill, for example) they may require that you make physical delivery of your
grain to them. In these cases farmers may work on their own to purchase grain from another
source, such as a neighboring farmer. Some elevators may work with the farmer in identifying
other sources of grain as well.
oThe forward contract price and the current market price will determine if you are in a positive or
negative position. Farmers in a positive position (forward contract price is higher than the cash
price) may wish to buy grain from another farmer and deliver it to receive the positive premium.
Option 2: ‘Buy out’ of your contract.
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oThis involves a cash settlement on the difference between the contract price and the current market
price. Additional fees may also apply to contract washouts.
oBuy-outs are typically the least favored option for farmers in a negative position because they
further limit cash-flow in an off year.
oBuy-outs or cancelled contracts are obviously more favorable for farmers that are in a positive
position- the elevator is able to cancel their commitments more easily and the farmer is not left
with any obligations. It should be noted that elevators will rarely pay for any difference between
the forward contract and current price offering.
Example of a contract buyout with farmer in a negative position
Forward Contract Price
Current Fall Delivery Price
Difference
+
Buy-out Penalty
$
$
$
3.00
3.55
0.55
$
0.10
Total Charge per Bushel
*
Bushels Contracted
=
Total Buyout Charge
$
0.65
5,000
$ 3,250.00
Example of a contract buyout with farmer in a positive position
Forward Contract Price
Current Fall Delivery Price
Difference
+
Buy-out Penalty
$
$
$
3.00
2.50
-0.50
$
0.00
Total Charge per Bushel
*
Bushels Contracted
=
Total Buyout Charge
$
0.00
5,000
$ 00.00
Option 3: ‘Roll’ your contract over to the following season.
oThis involves delivering next year’s harvest against this year’s contract. The advantage of this
option is that the liability is deferred until the following year when seasonal conditions may
improve. However, the disadvantages of this option are that price and interest penalties may be
imposed and that there is a risk that you will similarly be unable to meet this obligation the
following year if poor seasonal conditions persist.
oThe roll over provision is an option that some but not all elevators may offer. This is why it is
critical to communicate your situation with the elevator ahead of time.
oThe manner in which roll-overs are handled depends on the elevator. Some elevators may credit
price differences between the two years, while others may not.
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Example of a roll over contract when farmer is in a negative position and the buyer (elevator) credits the
difference between the current price and next year’s price.
Original Fwd. Contract Price
Current 10 Fall Offering
Current 11 Fall Offering
$ 4.00
$ 4.50
$ 4.75
Difference between original
contract and fall 10 price
$ (0.50)
11 fall offering minus the
amount you owe (4.75-.50)
Contract Cancellation Fee
$ 4.25
$ 0.10
Final per bushel contract price
$ 4.15
This is the amount you owe or what it
would cost to buyout the contract now.
This is the new price for 2011 delivery
This is the final price for 2011 fall
delivery
Elevators may also ask for verification of poor growing conditions if you cannot fill your contract obligation.
This proof can be obtained from you local Extension office, the Farm Service Agency or your crop insurance
agent.
The above information is for farmers with straight forward contracts with an elevator. It is not intended for
farmers who hold positions in the futures market.
Summary: Forward contracts are an important tool to manage price volatility and risk on grain farms. Some
risks can be avoided by limiting the number of bushels under contract and using crop insurance; however there
will be catastrophic years where production will not meet contract obligations. When it happens, be sure to
communicate regularly with your buyer. Ask about options available ahead of time and be prepared to have an
informed discussion on the best option for your operation.
1
Much of the content for this document was adapted with permission from a document titled “Drought and
Grain Contracts” produced by the North Wales Farming Association available online at:
http://www.nswfarmers.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/40398/Drought_Grain_Contracts-0907.pdf
Equipment Is Key to Drought Harvest
Mark Hanna and Graeme Quick
Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Harvest conditions in fields this fall range from full crops to a number, especially soybeans, affected by
severe drought conditions. Equipment usable for harvesting drought damaged crops depends on end use
of the commodity, moisture content of the crop and equipment available to use (owned, leased, or
custom).
Plant moisture content in most cases has already dropped below that suitable for the ensiling process (60
to 70 percent). Forage material may still be collected in bales or stacks if plant material is dry enough for
storage without excess spoilage.
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Have your intended use or market for harvested feed well in mind before pursuing forage harvest.
Harvesting a silage or forage crop with no definite plans for feeding or local sale can be costly. Crop
producers can often be caught a year after a drought with poor quality forage and no plans to use it.
Recognize that harvesting a drought damaged crop will be more stressful on the operator due to higher
field variability. Don’t be tempted into short cuts or using equipment in a manner for which it was never
intended. Expect variable crop conditions even within individual fields.
Grain harvest
If ear diameter is smaller than normal, stripper plates will need to be moved closer together to avoid
excessive shelling on the snapping rolls. This will break off more stalks, increasing the load on the
processing unit. Stripper plate spacing on newer combines may be adjustable from the operator’s station
and can ease adjustment if sizable areas of a field have different ear size. Beware of making numerous onthe-go adjustments or trying to evaluate shelling on the stalk rolls from the cab. At least one cornhead has
spring-loaded stripper plates to adjust spacing on-the-go.
If ears are of non-uniform size and shape, adjustment of the threshing mechanism will be a compromise
between adequate separation from the cob and acceptable grain breakage level. Concave clearance should
be narrow enough to thresh grain from ears. Adjustment for small ears will break larger cobs and over
load the cleaning shoe. Chaffer, sieve, and fan adjustment becomes more critical. Grain may be fragile
and more susceptible to damage. Ideally, threshing should result in whole but battered cobs exiting the
separator.
Soybean threshing needs to be just aggressive enough to remove beans from pods. Beans in droughtstressed fields this fall may be smaller than usual. If beans are small, air flow may need to be reduced in
the cleaning shoe and the openings in chaffer and sieve screens reduced to maintain air speed, yet allow
beans to fall through. More pods will be close to the ground if plant population has been reduced, so it is
essential to keep the cutterbar low. The front drum of the feeder should be low enough so that the chain
just clears the floor of the feeder house. If plants are shorter, smaller clearances may be needed between
reel, cutterbar, auger, and feed conveyor chain to make sure stalks are feeding through the platform.
Expect to spend more time checking grain loss. Traveling fast enough to keep the combine loaded will
improve grain quality, however a greater percentage of material other than grain moving through the
combine may increase separation losses.
Forage harvest
A common mistake is to underestimate the moisture content of drought damaged crop. Check moisture
content before baling or stacking. Operation of harvesting equipment will generally be similar to that used
in a normal crop with a few exceptions. Check your owner’s/operator’s manual for useful tips (for
example using hay harvest equipment to harvest cornstalks or soybean straw). Your dealer is another
source of information.
Windrowers, rakes, balers, and stackers have all been used to harvest corn. Expect that operation of
conventional hay harvest equipment in cornstalks may be more difficult or at least require adjustment and
some experimentation. Cornstalks are larger and may be more difficult to package. The potential
variability of stalk diameter and length will put a premium on proper adjustment. Some equipment may
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not work in some conditions. Expect more wear, especially on cutting components, than when harvesting
hay.
A major objective is to get the stalks dry enough to store. Allow the crop to field dry for much of the
moisture removal. Equipment should aggressively shred stalks to promote drying and present smaller
pieces for easier packaging. Flail shredding may do this easier than conditioning. If using a conditioner,
consider tightening the roll spacing and slowing travel speed for more aggressive action. Stalks that are
damp can be hard to start and they tend to wrap in baler belts.
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FALL SEEDED ANNUALS FOR FORAGE
Compiled by:
Jeff Semler, Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Annual Ryegrass
 Annual ryegrass’ ability to produce a vigorous seedling lends it to a variety of seeding
methods into a number of forage cropping systems. A seeding rate of 30 pounds per acre
has provided satisfactory results in numerous on-farm and research farm situations. It
should be noted that annual ryegrass varieties will differ in seed size and density. This fact
will require producers to adjust seeding rates and drill calibrations slightly from variety to
variety.
 Some producers, particularly on dairy farms, utilize higher seeding rates of 40 or even 50
pounds. These increased seeding rates will produce more dense stands which can be used
for either grazing or haylage harvest.
 Due to its small seed size, annual ryegrass seedings are either broadcast on the surface or
no-tilled at ¼-inch depth. Under favorable conditions, germination can be expected in five to
seven days.
 Annual ryegrass should not be seeded into living cool season grass stands. Ryegrass will
not compete effectively with an established cool season perennial grass. However, in thin or
poor perennial grass stands, annual ryegrass may be broadcast or no-tilled after the
perennial grass is suppressed or destroyed with Gramoxone or Roundup.
 Annual ryegrass can be seeded into established alfalfa by broadcasting seed or no tilling.
Seedings should be made immediately after the alfalfa cutting in late August or September.
 If the field to be seeded is cultivated by plowing or disking, the seedbed should be firmed.
The seeding may then be made by broadcasting the seed alone or blended with dry fertilizer.
The field should then be cultipacked. A conventional drill cannot be used to seed annual
ryegrass in a cultivated field in a normal manner due to placing the seed too deep in the drill
disk furrows. However, if the conventional drill is used in the raised position or if the boots
are removed from the disc openers, the seed will be effectively broadcast. The field should
then be cultipacked.
 In this area, many annual ryegrass seedings follow corn silage harvest. It is an effective
cover crop. If no manure is to be applied, simply broadcast or no-till the seed. If applying
manure with no incorporation, broadcast seed prior to manure application to improve soil
contact. If manure is to be incorporated, follow recommendations for a cultivated field.
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 Due to the prolific seed production of some ryegrass varieties, it should be noted that a
number of producers have managed successful volunteer seedings in grazing situations, in
alfalfa, and in annual ryegrass hay fields.
 Annual ryegrass responds vigorously to nitrogen (N) fertilization. Very satisfactory yields are
obtained under intensive grazing or haylage harvest regimens using a total of 200lbs. of N.
In very general terms, apply 50 lbs. N at the early September seeding. Then in the spring,
apply 50 lbs. N on April 1, May 1, and June 1 for maximum growth. Manure can provide a
portion of this N requirement.
 Fall seedings made before October can utilize up to 50 lbs. of N to produce a fall crop to be
grazed or cut for haylage by mid to late November. Later seedings will utilize proportionately
less N.
 Excessive fall growth should be harvested or clipped to a 3-4 inch height to prevent matting
under snow. Due to the continuous growth habit of annual ryegrass leaves and lack of true
dormancy, matting or excessive freeze damage to grass leaves will delay or inhibit spring
growth.
 Under a haylage system, the best forage quality is achieved when the first cutting is
harvested when the plants are in the late vegetative to early boot stage of maturity. This
corresponds to an average height of 15-20 inches. Immediately apply 50 lbs. of N and plan
to harvest the next cutting in 20 days. Each producer will then need to decide how long to
graze or cut haylage from the ryegrass before replanting the field to the next crop in a double
crop system.
 Care needs to be taken in controlling ryegrass regrowth prior to planting the next crop.
Annual ryegrass regrowth is more difficult to control than that of cereal rye. Producers have
obtained good results by allowing several inches of regrowth and using Roundup at a 1½quart rate. Post-applied grass herbicides provide effective control also.
 Annual ryegrass is an aggressive and versatile forage grass, but its real value is in its ability
to produce significant yields of high quality forage. This ryegrass can be harvested as
pasture, greenchop, chopped haylage, baleage or dry hay. Optimum forage quality will be
obtained only by heads-up forage management.
 Ryegrass needs to be grazed before the grass begins the jointing phase of development.
Ryegrass is best managed under a management intensive grazing system. Initiate grazing
when the grass is six inches tall and move animals quickly. Expect to maintain a 10-12 day
rotation to achieve top forage quality. The key is to keep the grass in a vegetative growth
state as long as possible.
NOTE!! Do not use annual ryegrass in grain production systems! It is a prolific seed
producer and is a serious weed in small grains!
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Barley, Triticale, Rye
 Seed mid-August to late October. Rates 2-3 bu/A. Higher rate is better. Remember the
purpose is forage, not grain. Rye is different. It can be seeded up to January, germinate in
March and still make a harvestable crop.
 Well-fertilized late summer seedings and a moist fall can make 12-15 inches of vegetative
growth by Thanksgiving. Can do some mechanical November harvest, but usually graze
down to three inches. Grazing forage quality is excellent into January, then declines slowly
through late winter. Fall growth can use 50-75 lbs. N (or manure equivalent). Apply N (or
manure) again in late March to early April for spring growth. Spring growth can be grazed or
chopped at boot stage; rye--May 1; triticale--May 10; barley--May 15 (more or less).
Wheat
 Same as above except do not seed before September 15-October 1. Wheat needs to
emerge after Hessian fly free date. Yes, they are still here!
Spring Oats
 Seed mid-August to late September at a rate of 2½-3 bu. Seedings emerged by September
10-15 will start to come into head by November 15-20. Can be chopped to fill silo, made into
round bale haylage or grazed. If grazing is the option, can begin at six inches of growth.
Flash graze paddock by paddock. Oats will stop growing when ground begins to freeze.
Quality will hold until after several very hard freezes (20 degrees F or less) then decline
slowly. Oats will die over the winter; no spring regrowth.
 May be seeded with winter peas for more protein. Chop for silage in mid to late November.
 May be seeded with rye. Two bushels of each. This gives a good fall harvest and a spring
harvest.
 Can be seeded with annual ryegrass, too--2-3 bu. Oats and 25-30 lbs. Ryegrass. Chop or
graze by Thanksgiving and continue ryegrass harvest in the spring.
Brassicas
Brassicas (turnips, radishes, rape) can be planted at different times of the year and with various
companion crops. The purpose of this chart is to provide some options on how turnips may be
used for different seasons, different animals, and different uses.
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Brassicas
Appin Forage
Grazing Turnip
Purple Top Turnip
Tankard Turnip
Tillage Radishes
Planting rate
#/Ac
2-5
2-5
2-5
Benefits
When to plant
Multiple grazings, multiple uses for Beef,
Dairy, and Sheep
Some grazing, good bulb yield, good for sheep
Some grazing, excellent bulb yield
Spring, Summer, Fall
Vigorous growth, excellent quality and
palatability thru mid-Summer
Vigorous growth thru mid-Summer
Early March-thru April
Spring, Summer, Fall
Summer, Fall
Spring Planting
Companion crops
Annual Ryegrass
Oats
30-40
3-4 bushels
Early March
Summer Planting
Companion crops
Annual Ryegrass
BMR SorghumSudangrass
30-40
30
Corn
Mid-August after wheat is harvested
Sow when planting sorghum-sudangrass
Excellent palatability and animal production,
Appin Turnips re-grow with sorghumsudangrass
Graze corn with Turnips or harvest corn and graze Arial seed turnips into standing corn in lateturnips and stover after harvest
August
Late-Summer
Planting
Companion crops
Oats with Cereal Rye
Annual Ryegrass
1-Bu. Each with
5# Turnips
30-40# with 5#
Turnips
Oats provide fall growth with turnips while Cereal
Rye provides spring growth
Annual ryegrass provide excellent fall growth and
spring growth is likely in many areas
Arial seed turnips Aug 20-30 into standing corn or
after corn silage is harvested
Arial seed turnips Aug 20-30 into standing corn or
after corn silage is harvested
** Remember—fall forage growth still depends upon rainfall! But if good moisture is present by September 1st--go for it! And
do not forget to apply N to any grass pastures or grass hay fields that can be pastured October-December. All animals
including dry cows and dairy heifers do okay on fescue over the winter!
For farm specific questions, contact your county’s Extension Agent or Crops Consultant.
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Loss Reporting Tips for Crop Insurance
With reduced yields due to drought and other growing conditions, reporting losses on your crop insurance is
very important. This article presents loss reporting tips to help you with these reports.
Forms with titles of “Summary of Protection” or “Schedule of Insurance” have arrived within a few
weeks after you file your acreage report with your crop insurance agent.. These forms reflect the
information on which your 2010 protection is based. Compare it to your acreage report to make sure
that it is correct there are any discrepancies. Contact your insurance agent immediately to get it
corrected, otherwise they could adversely affect your premium bill and/or claim payment. This
correction should have been done before now so this is just a reminder to make for sure no errors are on
these forms.
Reporting Crop Damage: The crop insurance policy requires that damage be reported within 72 hours of
discovery to your crop insurance agent. Ask agent for instructions on how to proceed. Don’t destroy evidence
of damage until a loss adjuster evaluates it.
Also, promptly your report crop damage to the Farm Service Agency (FSA/USDA). This report may be
important ift you become eligible for a crop disaster payment under the SURE program. The deadline for
submitting applications for 2008 crop year SURE payments to the county FSA/USDA office is September
30, 2010.
For spring crops, check the yield/revenue potential of your crops. You’ll soon be thinking about Fall
Harvesting. Remember the crop damage reporting requirements (if a loss is anticipated): The insurance policies
require that written notice be given to your crop insurance agent (by crop by unit (FSA farm #)):
• Within 72 hours of discovery of damage or loss,
• 15 days before harvest begins **, and
• Within 15 days after harvesting is completed but not later than 10/20 corn insured as silage; 12/10
for grain corn and soybeans.
• Don’t destroy evidence of damage until a loss adjuster evaluates it!
Prior Authorization is Required to Leave Sample Rows for Yield Determination: If loss adjusting
workload does not permit appraising damaged crop acreage before you are ready to start cutting silage, prior
authorization must be obtained from your insurance company, through your crop insurance agent, before sample
row areas can be left for later yield determination. For this reason, it’s important that notice of damage be
filed with your crop insurance agent as early as you determine that damage occurred so that harvesting is
not delayed.
Cutting Damaged Corn for Silage: If you plan to cut damaged grain type corn for silage, it’s important that
the grain content be determined before harvesting regardless of whether you insure on a tonnage or grain yield
basis. If you insured on a grain basis, a loss is determined by comparing the revenue or yield guarantee to the
appraised yield (times the October CBOT average price for the December contract for CRC). If you insured
and harvest on a tonnage basis and your grain content is below normal (less than 4.5 bushels per ton), the
grain content appraisal becomes the basis for quality adjustment which may reduce the amount of silage
tonnage that counts against your guarantee. Contact your crop insurance agent for more details, and
see the RMA/USDA Web at: WWW.RMA.usda.gov
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2010 Corn Silage Value Examples
Stan Fultz, Extension Agent, Frederick County
Method 1:
Market Price of corn* X 8 = value of standing corn. Add $10/T for harvest costs and 10% for
storage losses to get the value of fermented feed.
Corn market price*($/bu)Value of standing corn ($/ton) Value of fermented silage ($/ton)
4.0032.0046.20
4.5036.0050.60
5.0040.0055.00
5.5044.0059.40
6.0048.0063.80
6.5052.0068.20
7.0056.0072.60
Method 2:Feed Value Method
A) one ton of fermented silage equals 1/3 ton of hay
Example: hay value at $150 per ton X .33 = $49.50/ton for fermented silage
B) one ton of fermented silage equals 10 - 12 bu corn
corn price* ($/bu)Value of fermented silage ($/ton)
11
X4.00=44.00
11
X 5.00=55.00
11
X6.00=66.00
11
X7.00=77.00
(Note: Subtract $15-18 per ton to get standing corn value)
Method 3:Petersen’s Constants
Value ($/ton) of fermented silage1 with hay valued at $150 per ton2.
corn price*
Soybean meal price* ($/ton)
($/bu) 300 350 400 450 500_
4.00
47.91
42.14
36.3630.5924.81
5.0051.1445.3639.2833.8128.04
6.0054.3648.5942.8137.0431.26
7.0057.5851.8146.0340.2634.48
1
Subtract $10 per ton for harvest costs and 10% for storage losses to determine the price of standing
corn.
2
Add(subtract) $4.65 for each $10 increase (decrease) in hay price.
*Market price is the price the livestock producer must pay for that commodity from the feed mill, another
farmer, or his cost to grow the crop.
Compiled by Stanley Fultz, Dairy Science Extension Agent, University of Maryland Extension, Frederick
County Office.
C: my documents\nutrition\silage\2010 pricingupdated
7/26/2010
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Determining the Yield of Corn Silage Without
Weighing Wagons
This method is for 30-inch rows.
A. Using a tape measure, cut corn stalks from 17 feet 5 inches from a single row or 8 feet 8 ½ inches from
two adjacent rows from 5 “typical” areas of the field. Avoid unusual areas such as wet spots, end rows
and field edges.
B. Collect and weigh all the cut stalks either together or by sample area.
C. Determine the average sample area weight by taking the total weight and dividing by the number of
sample areas. In this case 5. This will give you the average weight in 1/1000 of an acre.
D. Multiply the results of C by 1000 to get the weight per acre.
E. Divide the weight per acre by 2000 to get tons per acre.
Example:
A and B.Sample numberweight (pounds)
1
2
3
4
5
Total209
37
50
35
45
42
C. 209 pounds divided by 5 = 41.8 pounds average weight for 1/1000 of an acre
D. 41.8 pounds X 1000 = 41,800 pounds per acre
E. 41,800 divided by 2000 pounds/ton = 20.9 ton per acre
For more information:
Stanley W. Fultz
Extension Agent, Dairy Science
University of Maryland Extension
330 Montevue Lane
Frederick, MD 21702
301-600-3578
sfultz@umd.educ:\…\nutrition\silage\tons per acre 2010
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