WHEN TO HARVEST FODDER 



83 



fodder is to be put in silos, as it facilitates handling, a rather 

 laborious task with green loose fodder. 



Shocking Fodder. Where the fodder is cut by hand with 

 knives it is usually set directly into shocks of about 10 to 14 hills 

 square. This is about as large a shock as can be depended on to 

 cure out properly. Later the ears may be husked and several shocks 

 set together if the fodder is to remain in the field. The large shock 

 protects the fodder better, especially if it is intended to leave it in 

 the field for several months. 



When cut by sled harvesters, or wheel harvesters built on the 

 same principle, the green fodder may be immediately set into shocks, 

 or left in piles on the ground until half dried, then set up into very 

 large shocks and securely tied. The same plan may be followed 

 with bound fodder. 



Hauling and Storing Fodder. Corn fodder is commonly 

 hauled in on a rather damp day, as leaves are easily broken off when 

 very dry. The fodder may be stacked, but care must be observed 

 that it is well cured and that the stacks are narrow, as it is very apt 

 to develop spontaneous heat to a high temperature. For the same 

 reason care must be exercised when storing in barns. Frequently 

 the fodder is hauled and set up in a yard, only one tier in depth. 



When to Harvest Fodder. It has been clearly shown by many 

 tests that the yield of dry matter increases up to maturity. This is 

 illustrated by the following table, which is taken from results secured 

 by the Michigan Station 3 : 



Yield per Acre of Green Corn Fodder and Dry Matter 



While the corn plant was full height August 10, when tasseled 

 out, yet it had developed at that time less than one-half its dry 

 matter. Also note the high water content at the early stages. 



3 U. S. Department of Agriculture, Farmers' Bulletin 97, 12. 



