After the summer and spring drought of 2012, increasing interest has emerged to use alternative species to maize (Zea mays) to produce forages in dairy production systems. Sorghum species (Sorghum sp.) are characterized for having greater water use efficiency, water potential, and transpiration and photosynthetic rates under drought conditions. In addition to this, sorghum shows higher turgor potential than corn at the same water status. Despite all these attributes, the land surface planted with corn for silage is substantially greater than that of sorghum for silage in the Southern region. Potential evapotranspiration is substantially greater in the Southern than in the Midwest region. Therefore, to minimize the adverse effects of drought and heat stress, in the Sothern region adequate crop management should be prioritized. Drought stress around silking diminishes kernel development by negatively affecting pollination, mainly through an increased anthesis-to-silking interval. Kernel development is also negatively affected when high temperatures (≥35°C) occur during the lag phase of kernel development. High temperatures immediately after silking limit starch accumulation within the kernels, and increases the rate of kernel abortion as well. Therefore, in regions with extended periods of temperatures greater than 35°C, choosing early maturity corn hybrids, or delaying planting date, should be considered to avoid drought and heat stress during silking and kernel development. Planting density can also affect yield of corn for silage, although this effect depends on the crop rotation system and time of harvesting. Corn silage yield increased at high corn planting densities when an extended fallow and abundant precipitations occurred during the crop cycle. However, no differences in corn silage yields were observed when different corn planting densities were used in more intensive (i.e., double-crop) rotation systems. The effects of corn planting density on nutritional quality are also dependent on environment, although these effects are likely dependent on harvesting time. In summary, adequate crop management strategies should be carefully considered to ensure and maximize yield and quality of corn silage in the Southern region.