Hybrid Selection for Corn Silage
2001
Mahanna, Bill | Seglar, Bill
To maximize milk and meat production per acre of corn silage, growers should select hybrids with the agronomic characteristics adapted to their unique growing environments. Superior hybrids must also demonstrate high forage yields. Silage hybrids that return the most profit usually produce the most grain without compromising whole plant tonnage. A silage hybrid should be assessed RAE (starch+sugar+oil) content and stover (cell wall, NDF) digestibility. Individual producers can determine their own index weightings or use equations such as MILK2000 to arrive at single term comparisons of production potential based upon yield and quality data. While differences in com silage hybrids are evident from the standpoint of morphology, nutrients and in vitro digestibility, animal performance differences are more difficult to measure (especially on farm). In addition, inherent traits of these silages may be neutralized by environmental and management factors. Management factors such as whole plant maturity, kernel moisture, kernel size, silage particle size and associative feeding effects further influence animal response. (II) Silage growers today should be able to select high-quality silage genetics based upon reliable trait information provided by reputable seed suppliers. Future hybrid selection will be simplified once industry standards are established for the quality ratings of hybrids. In addition, growers will benefit by on-going research into the effect of growing environment and stages of harvest maturity on the yield and nutritional value of individual hybrids.
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