Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.			Corn Silage Moisture Assessment Date:________________________
Farm Operator:__________________________________			Telephone:____________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________________________
Sales Rep:_____________________________________			District:_______________________________________
Tools Needed: Corn knife, chipper/shredder of field chopper, tarp, electronic scale, paper plate, microwave or Koster Tester.
FIELD IDENTIFICATION:
Directions to field:_______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Hybrid:_______________________________________			CRM:________________________________________
SAMPLING PROTOCOL:
Step 1: Go 25-50 feet into the field and clip one stalk at the same height it will be chopped.
Step 2: Walk five feet, clip another stalk and continue until you have four to six stalks.
Step 3: Chop the stalks using a chipper/shredder or field chopper.
Step 4: Take the sample, approximately five gallons, place it on a large tarp, and divide it in half. Keep mixing and subdividing in half until you have two-to-three quarts remaining.
Step 5: For a microwave, measure out a representative sample of 100 grams using the electronic gram scale. For the Koster Tester, follow the directions below.
MOISTURE TESTING PROTOCOL
Microwave			Koster Tester
1. Weigh exactly 100 grams of corn silage, allowing for the weight of the paper plate.			1. Adjust the point on the scale dial to read 100% in black and 0% in red, by turning the knob beneath the platform.
2. Spread sample out over the plate and place in the microwave with a half-filled glass of water.			2. Place enough silage in the drying container until the pointer reads 0% in black and 100 % in the red.
3. Heat for 3-to-4 minutes.			3. Place drying container with sample in the Koster and run for about 20 minutes.
4. Weigh and record weight, then stir the silage and heat for another one minute.			4. Weight sample and read moisture content in black and dry matter content in red, as indicated by the pointer on the dial.
5. Repeat procedure four again, but heat for only 30 seconds. Continue drying and weighing until the weight becomes constant. Avoid charring by shortening the drying intervals.			5. Continue to dry for 5 minute intervals and weight until there is no further change in scale reading from the previous reading.
6. Subtract the last dry weight from the original wet weight and divide this number by the wet weight. Multiply by 100 to arrive at the moisture content of the sample.
MOISTURE / DRY MATTER CALCULATIONS:
		Example			Actual
Original wet weight		100
Final dry weight		55
Difference		45
Calculations:		Moisture Content:			Moisture Content:
100 x Difference		45%
		Dry Matter Content:			Dry Matter Content:
100 – Difference		55%
HARVEST RECOMMENDATIONS
	Type of Structure			Optimum Moisture for Corn Silage
	Bunker or Silo (non-processed) (processed)			67 - 72% 63 - 72%
	Upright Silo or Bag (non-processed) (processed)			63 - 68% 60 - 68%
	Oxygen-Limiting Silo (processed and non-processed)			55 - 65%
	*NOTE: For upright silos taller than 50 feet, plant moisture should be reduced 1% for each 1 foot of height above 50 feet.