Corn silage harvest is fast approaching. When evaluating whether to harvest a field for silage or grain, how to price and value the corn is often a point of uncertainty. Corn silage is usually priced at one of three points—standing in the field, packed in the silo, or delivered to the bunk.
UNL research has shown that corn silage standing in the field before harvest can be valued at 7.65 times the price per bushel of corn when silage is harvested at 65% moisture. This multiplier is consistent regardless of corn price. Using an estimated harvest-time corn price of $4.25 per bushel, $4.25 times 7.65 equals $32.51 per ton standing in the field. Producers can substitute their own local harvest corn price when making this calculation.
This standing value accounts for not having to combine or haul grain to market. Harvest, hauling, packing, and silage storage costs are added separately.
When estimating costs in the silo, harvest, hauling, and packing expenses can vary. The 2026 Nebraska Farm Custom Rates publication shows an average custom rate of $13.50 per ton for chopping, hauling, and packing. Adding that to the $32.51 standing value brings our cost to $46.01 per ton in the pile. Add another $5 per ton for storage expense, and the value becomes $51.01 per ton.
When valuing silage out of storage and into the bunk, remember that ensiling and storage cause shrink and dry matter loss. Losses of 10 to 20% or more can occur between when silage is packed and when it is fed. With 10% shrink, our $51.01 silage becomes worth $56.68 per ton delivered to the bunk. At 20% shrink, that climbs to $63.76 per ton. Good packing, covering, and feedout management can help keep those losses as low as possible.
One final consideration is drought-stressed or hail-damaged corn. Harvesting these crops as silage may be an option to salvage the crop and produce needed forage, but both yield and quality can vary. Drought-stressed corn silage is usually 85 to 95% of the nutritive value of normal corn silage.
A starch analysis can help estimate how much grain is present. Dividing starch percentage on a dry matter basis by 0.70 gives an estimate of grain content in the silage. For example, silage testing 35% starch would be estimated at about 50% grain.
Nitrates are another concern with drought-stressed corn. Ensiling can reduce nitrate concentrations by roughly 40 to 60%, and cutting higher can reduce nitrate levels because nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk. However, higher cutting means giving up yield, and ensiling does not guarantee that high-nitrate forage will become safe. Suspect silage should be tested for nitrates after fermentation before feeding.
Hail-damaged corn may also warrant extra attention, particularly where severe damage has disrupted normal plant or grain development. Late-season hail can damage ears and increase the opportunity for mold growth. Some molds can produce mycotoxins, and while proper ensiling stops further mold growth, it does not destroy mycotoxins already present. If visible mold is present, consider testing and contact your local Extension office or another expert for guidance.
Finally, remember that the 7.65 multiplier assumes relatively normal silage yield and quality. With severely drought- or hail-damaged fields, lower yield, higher harvest cost per ton, or reduced feeding value may require adjusting the price.
Corn silage is a cornerstone feed for many producers, and knowing how to put a price on it can help make sure you capture its true value in your operation.
Ben Beckman is a livestock systems Extension Educator based out of the Cedar County Extension office in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 254-6821 or email: ben.beckman@unl.edu.
