Taking Good Silage Samples

Harvest timing

• It is best to chop when whole plant moisture is between 60 and 70%
• Ensure you are harvesting each variety separately
• Weigh each hybrid immediately after it’s been harvested
  

Ensure you take a relative sample

• Scoop one handful from four random areas in the plot sample
• Place samples in a large Ziploc freezer bag and be sure to remove as much air as possible
• Scoop rather than ‘grab’ samples to avoid losing kernels or cob pieces. Four handfuls are approximately 1.5lbs and sampling more than this is unnecessary
  

Label all samples

• Be sure to label all samples with proper variety name and trial name
• A sharpie on a Ziploc bags works perfectly
• Labelling keeps everything organized and neat both for you, and for the lab
  

Freeze the samples

• Freeze and flatten samples as soon as possible
• Work to remove all the air from samples and flatten them as well as possible
• Tightly packed samples keep better and are easier to ship
• Freeze for 48 hours before shipping to ensure samples stay frozen
  

Shipping

• Place flattened samples in an insulated container for shipping
• Adding newspaper into empty space helps to keep this cold longer
• Ice packs can also help, but are not necessary
• Ship early in the week to avoid delays and spoilage