Which is better to use for silage production - grass or corn? The answer is not as unambiguous as it may seem. In this guide we will understand what advantages each crop has, how the seasons affect, how much yield you can get and how much labor it requires.

So, for the test we used the same plot of the field. First, the grass was removed with a mower and a loading trailer. Then, the same plot was sown with corn and harvested with a forage harvester. Important clarification: the way silage is stored (bales or bunker) does not affect volume - only convenience, so in this comparison we are evaluating yield, not handling methods.

It is also worth mentioning that silage additive has not been taken into account - it gives a fixed bonus but does not affect the ratio between crops.

Maturity stages and influence of seasons

Grass maturity stages have no influence on yield. As soon as the game indicates that the grass is ready for harvesting, it can be mowed. There is no difference between the first and second harvest stage. You don't have to wait or guess the moment - as soon as the grass has grown, you can harvest it.

The situation is different with corn. It too has two stages of readiness. The first is when the crop is still green, and the second is fully ripe.

Silage yield from dried corn is 1-2% higher than from green corn. A small but noticeable difference if we are talking about large volumes.

Now to the seasons. With seasonal growth enabled:

• Grass can be harvested up to 5 times a year - growth slows down in the winter.
• Corn - only once a year, due to the long growth cycle.

If seasons are turned off, then:

• Grass can be harvested 6 times a year (about every two months).
• Corn - 2.4 times per year, provided the crop is harvested in the “green” stage, which speeds up the next planting.
• Grass and corn yields

For greater objectivity, the test was conducted considering both scenarios - with seasons on and off. Here are the results.

With seasons on:

• Grass: about 330,000 liters of raw material for silage could be harvested from one field in one year.
• Corn: in one harvest, about 109,000 liters.

Grass gives almost 3 times more volume than maize when growing seasonally. This makes sense - five harvests versus one.

With seasons off:

• Grass: 6 harvests per year - almost 400,000 liters.
• Corn: at 2.4 harvests per year - 260,000 liters on average.

Bottom line: grass is again in the lead, although the gap here is no longer so enormous. Especially if corn is harvested at the “green” stage and thus speeds up the cycle.

The figures show unequivocally that grass wins in terms of yield both with and without seasons. But do not rush to conclusions - there are other important factors.

Which to choose: grass or corn?

The final choice depends on your priorities. If the main goal is to get maximum silage from a minimum area, grass is the undisputed leader. If properly organized, it provides a stable and voluminous harvest throughout the year. This is especially noticeable at the start of the game, when you have a limited amount of land and want to make the most of it.

However, if you value efficiency, want to reduce the number of actions, save time or play on large farms with many other tasks, corn is preferable. It may lose out on yield, but it requires much less manual work. This is especially true for those who play without helpers and prefer to focus on other areas of farming.

Take into account the availability of machinery. For grass, you will need a mower, a picker, possibly a baler and a wrapper. Corn is easier - a forage harvester and a silage pit. Less machinery means less cost and less logistical complexity.

Both grass and corn have their strengths. In terms of absolute quantity, grass wins. It allows you to harvest more often, provides more liters of silage from the same area and remains productive for years after planting. This makes it an indispensable crop for those who prioritize profit and maximum productivity.

On the other hand, corn gives the player the opportunity to reduce time and effort. One or two harvests per year with off seasons provide enough raw material for a stable silage operation, especially when combined with convenient mods. For farmers who care about convenience rather than volume, corn becomes the logical choice.

The best solution is not to rely on just one option, but to use both crops as the situation dictates. For example, grass for small fields or at the beginning of the game when you want to maximize your yield, and corn for later stages when automation and speed are more important.