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Selecting Corn Hybrids For Silage Production
Selecting Corn Hybrids For Silage Production
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Selecting corn hybrids for silage production
Corn hybrid selection is essential to profitably produce silage and milk. By carefully choosing your
silage hybrid, you can manage risk and maximize silage quality, yield and overall economic return.
Criteria: How to select hybrids for silage
Longer-season hybrids tend to produce higher silage yield. Hybrids planted for silage should
generally be about five units
longer in relative maturity than hybrids planted for grain. However, longer-season hybrids may
not be optimal if one wants to harvest silage early or have the option to harvest corn for grain
rather than silage.
Select multiple hybrids with varying maturity, as this widens the harvest window. Silage that is
custom-harvested within a short period of time may require a narrower range in maturity to
reduce variation in harvest moisture. Selecting hybrids with varying maturity also widens the
pollination window, reducing the probability of an entire crop experiencing hot and dry
conditions during pollination.
Harvest at the correct moisture level. If missed, this can negate the benefits of good hybrid
selection.
Consider both silage quality and yield, as corn silage is an energy source for livestock. The two
key variables for dairy producers to consider are milk per acre and milk per ton, both of which are
calculated using the Milk 2006 corn silage evaluation system developed by the University of
Wisconsin. Once you’ve identified a suitable hybrid group, select based on specific forage quality
and agronomic traits. Also consult with a livestock nutritionist to ensure hybrids will have the
necessary nutritional value.
Factor in other agronomic factors, such as standability, drydown, herbicide and insect
resistance, and tolerance to drought and disease. Standability is less important for silage hybrids
than grain hybrids due to the earlier time of harvest. Avoid hybrids with strong ratings for stay-
green because whole-plant moisture will be too high when harvested according to kernel stage.
Regional comparisons: Silage hybrid yields and quality
Silage yield and quality can differ greatly among hybrids.
Table 1 shows ranges in yield and quality for hybrids evaluated in 2017 University of Minnesota corn
silage trials. The difference between the highest- and lowest-yielding hybrids ranged from 3.6 tons of
silage dry matter (DM) per acre in Waseca to 5.4 tons of DM per acre in Hutchinson.
In comparison, the difference in overall silage quality (milk per ton) among hybrids ranged from 479
pounds of milk per ton of silage in Rochester to 551 pounds of milk per ton of silage in Hutchinson.
Table 1: Summary of 2017 University of Minnesota corn silage trials.
Location Number
hybrids
of Yield range (tons of DM per
acre)
Quality range (lbs. of milk per
ton)
Rochester 59 10.0 to 14.1 2,760 to 3,239
Waseca 59 7.8 to 11.4 2,572 to 3,092
Hutchinson 29 10.1 to 15.5 2,752 to 3,303
Reviewed in 2021
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