The figures listed below are based on a per acre basis and the summary totals are based on a 100 cow herd.  We did not factor a protein supplement into this diet for a couple of reasons.  In our cattle operation we use a 3:1 ratio of corn silage to haylage.  This works great for us and keeps our cows in good condition through the winter.  You may however have other alternatives for protein sources that are better suited for your operation.  Corn silage is still the clear cut choice for economic value even with this additional cost.  Our objective with these cost analysis numbers is to present some scenarios and you adjust them to fit your operation.  Other advantages to bagged corn silage are discussed in the "Why Bagged Silage?" section of the website.

Production Inputs

Typically corn will average approximately 20 tons per acre of corn silage.  The input total listed above equates to an input cost of $15.69 per ton before the silage is chopped and bagged.  We base our feed supply on each cow consuming silage for 150 days at approximately 45 pounds per day.  This equates to 3.5 tons per cow to feed for a year.  The numbers listed below are based on 4 - 5 tons per cow.  This cushion allows for some variance in cows' condition, weather, etc. on a yearly basis.

We have the ability to fill 8' diameter bags at lengths of 100', 150', and 200'.  We also fill 10' diameter bags at lengths of 100', 150', 200', and 250'.  It takes 10' of plastic to start a bag and 10' of plastic to close a bag of silage.  The 8' diameter bags contain approximately 1 ton of feed per foot based upon 65% moisture feed.  Dryer feed will not have the same tonnage, but will have equivalent dry matter for the same feed value.  Our 10' diameter bags contain approximately 1.5 tons per foot based on 65% moisture silage.

Feed Supply Analysis

100 cows x 5 tons = 500 tons needed to max out feed coverage protection

We will use the 10' diameter bags filled by the truck crews for this analysis.

We could supply you with 465 tons of feed with a 10'x150' and 10'x200' bag of silage.  The cost to you is the following:

10'x150' = $2,370

10'x200' = $3,230

Initial Total:$5,600

Volume Discount: $94.08

10 Day Cash Discount (if taken): $110.12

Total Chopping and Bagging Cost: $5,395.80

Production Costs - We found above that it costs $15.69 per ton for production costs based upon 20 ton per acre corn silage.  465 tons are needed in this scenario.

$15.69 x 465 tons = $7,295.85

Chopping and Bagging Cost = $5,395.80

Yearly Total Cost = $12,691.65

This program would cost $126.92 per cow on a yearly basis.

The feed supply for 100 cows through this program could be produced on only 23.25 ACRES!