Three Washington State University studies revealed that corn silage processing is most beneficial in later stages of corn maturity.

Corn was chopped at several stages of maturity, ranging from dough to black line. In each case, the silage was harvested with and without mechanical processing. It was fed as part of a total mixed ration.

Starch digestion was greater for cows fed processed silage in seven of nine comparisons, and equal to it in the other two. Digestion improvements were greater in silages chopped at 21/43 milk line and black line than in less mature silages.