Double Row Silage Corn

Double Row Silage Corn CROPS New Techniques 17-4-39 Planting corn in double rows 8 in. apart boosts silage tonnage by one-third to one-half that of corn planted in single rows, according to Wisconsin farmer Tom Johnson. A side-benefit of double rows is improved weed control since double rows form a canopy more quickly. Johnson credits the practice with the near total elimination of velvetleaf from his farm. To plant the double rows, he makes one pass with the planter set up for 30-in. spacing and set at 25,000 plants per acre. Then he doubles back with the planter offset about 8 in. for a total of 50,000 plants per acre. Johnson says the plants actually have more growing room that corn planted at a rate of 32,000 plants per acre. Each plant averages about 8 in. of open space around it since at 25,000 plants per acre, there's about 8 in. between plants in the row. (Wisconsin Agriculturist)

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.