1. Estimate grain yield using the Thomison (2013) method or other approach.
2. On average, in the lower Midwest, you get about 1 ton of corn silage (35% dry matter (DM)) per 7.5 to 8 bushels of corn. Therefore, if the estimated grain yield is140 bu/acre, expected silage yield would be 140/8 = 17.5 tons.
3. However, under abnormal growing conditions this may underestimate forage yield (i.e., there will be less than 8 bu of grain per ton). See methods in the corn silage pricing article (link below.)
4. Based on nutrient values, corn silage is currently worth $40 to $45/ton (at 35% DM) as it comes out of the silo. You need to deduct shrink and storage (estimated at $9/ton) and cost of harvest and filling (estimated at $6.90/ton – chop, haul and fill for a bunker silo, see Ohio Custom Rates link below).
This means the maximum a dairy farmer should pay for standing corn is ~$24.10/ton. However, the big assumption is that the nutritional value of the standing crop is equal to normal corn silage. If grain yield is lower than normal relative to forage yield (the silage will have less starch and more fiber than normal corn silage), the value has to be discounted additionally.
5. Finally, the buyer is assuming both harvest risk and fermentation risk (will the stuff ferment well?) This risk has a price although it is hard to calculate. Basically, an additional discount should be applied to the standing field price. See the standing corn pricing articles.
NOTE: These discounts assume the corn silage is chopped at the correct DM. If it is harvested at the incorrect DM (either too wet or too dry), the value of the silage is lower.
