A well-planned harvest can make life less stressful.
Consistent use of fundamentals, proven both scientifically and practically, will bring success.
Print out the Silage Harvest Plan, and the Phone list (see below).
Make a list of your team: nutritionists, employees, chopping contractors, covering contractors, and your family. Keeping them all in the loop and focused on fundamentals will ensure a smooth process.
Evaluate your current feed with a knowledgeable, trusted resource (nutritionist, extension person, Connor Agriscience rep, someone who knows what they are talking about). Measure your feed against “perfect” visually and through lab analysis.
Make decisions on benchmarks: dry matter, kernel processing, chop length, pile size and location, projected packing equipment weight, inoculant options and application, and sealing material.
Have a meeting. Get everyone on your list to sit down for one hour, preferably in the same room. Explain the benchmarks, and go through the silage harvest plan worksheet.
Assign who is in charge of what, who needs to communicate with whom, and when.
Schedule a safety meeting for all involved in silage harvest. Issue safety vests and other equipment.
Establish a record-keeping system to document this year’s harvest so next year’s (see step number 2 above) evaluation is meaningful.
Make a copy of the completed Harvest Plan (see below) for all team players. Post it in the office, shop, at the scale, and anywhere else that fits your farm.
Make a copy of the completed Phone List (see below) for all team players and post it on all applicable equipment (choppers, tractors, trucks) and by each stationary phone. Enter the numbers into everyone's cell phone speed dial for easy access.
© 2026 Connor Agriscience