Corn for Grazing

[grassfarmer]

Yes, it is tempting to think that it wouldn't matter for grazing or silage, but real world experience proves otherwise. Every seed has to emerge at the exact same time and the exact same spacing, otherwise they view other plants as competition.

It's not that I don't think it matters I just don't think there is one size fits all. The best crop and best establishment we had was the year we used an airseeder. Having wide rows puts plants 30" apart across rows but real tight to their neighbour in the row. That's why I think 15" rows would be better - more checkerboard effect and less area of no plants where weeds started. I also think the obsession with every plant being identical size - the perfect monoculture - is of more relevance to grain yield if you are cropping it. Having some plants at slightly different growth stages in the fall when growth shuts down is an advantage, not a disadvantage in the grazing situation. It's why many guys advocate mixing different CHU varieties within the same stand.

[AlbertaFarmer5]

It's not that I don't think it matters I just don't think there is one size fits all. The best crop and best establishment we had was the year we used an airseeder. Having wide rows puts plants 30" apart across rows but real tight to their neighbour in the row. That's why I think 15" rows would be better - more checkerboard effect and less area of no plants where weeds started. I also think the obsession with every plant being identical size - the perfect monoculture - is of more relevance to grain yield if you are cropping it. Having some plants at slightly different growth stages in the fall when growth shuts down is an advantage, not a disadvantage in the grazing situation. It's why many guys advocate mixing different CHU varieties within the same stand.

I have no first hand experience, but research and experienced growers indicates that you will get more tons per acre with an identical picket fence stand. And like you say, narrow row spacing is better for silage, and weed competition at least according to AAFC study: https://www.topcropmanager.com/corn/research-looks-at-silage-corn-row-spacing-and-plant-populations-1239 https://www.topcropmanager.com/corn/research-looks-at-silage-corn-row-spacing-and-plant-populations-1239 I don't know how hard is it to find a 15" planter though?

[grassfarmer]

I don't know how hard is it to find a 15" planter though?

That's simple enough around here - soy beans are seeded on 15" rows so the same drill can be used for both - just change out the plates. They only use half the shanks(?) when seeding corn on 30" rows.