Drought-Stricken North Dakota Corn Producers Seek Silage Solution
North Dakota's scorching hot and dry weather has left corn producers facing a crucial decision: whether to harvest their crops for grain or chop them for silage.
According to Ron Haugen, North Dakota State University Extension farm management specialist, one of the main questions he receives from farmers is how to determine the value of a standing crop of corn that's destined for silage.
The 2026 drought has led to possible feed shortages, and NDSU Extension has developed a tool to help producers make informed decisions. The 'Corn Silage Decision Tool' is a downloadable Excel spreadsheet that allows farmers to input their own numbers and adjust variables such as corn silage price and yield calculations.
The value of the standing crop depends on several factors, including yield, substitute feed crops, harvesting, and hauling costs. The tool includes examples and formulas for adjusting row spacing and dry matter percentages.