By Blake Jackson
Corn silage is a staple forage for livestock in Pennsylvania due to its high yield and excellent nutritional value, supporting some of the state’s most productive animals. However, its attractiveness to wildlife, particularly deer, can result in significant feeding damage and yield loss. Farmers facing heavy deer pressure may benefit from exploring alternative forages that provide quality nutrition while reducing wildlife damage says the PennState extension team.
Both annual and perennial forages can serve as viable alternatives to corn silage. When choosing perennial options, it’s important to note that deer selectively graze legumes such as alfalfa and clover, so fields with high deer activity should favor grass species instead.
Annual forage crops such as forage sorghum, sudangrass, and millets offer strong yields with reduced deer feeding. Forage sorghum closely matches corn silage in both yield and nutritional value, delivering about 92% of corn silage digestible nutrients and roughly 85% of its overall feeding value.
Forage sorghum should be planted 1-1.5 inches deep once soil temperatures reach 65°F, typically around two weeks after the ideal corn planting date. A seeding rate of 5-8 lb/acre is recommended. Fertility should follow soil test recommendations or approximate rates of 150 lb N, 75 lb P, and 75 lb K per acre.
Pest pressures are generally low, and insecticide use is not routinely needed. Early burndown and adequate fertility support rapid growth, allowing the crop to compete effectively with weeds.
Selecting an appropriate hybrid for your growing season is crucial, especially in shorter-season areas. Sorghum should be harvested before frost to avoid prussic acid accumulation, ideally when the grain is in the soft to medium dough stage for optimal silage moisture and fermentation.
Forage sorghum offers comparable or even superior quality to corn silage in drought-prone or deer-affected fields and can be established at a lower cost, reducing financial risk. It can also be grown alongside corn silage or as a buffer to protect cornfields from deer feeding.
Photo Credit: istock-mailson-pignata
Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, Hay & Forage