Selecting Corn Hybrids for Silage

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Key Points

When choosing a corn hybrid for silage, one needs to consider how the silage will be utilized - for either a feedlot, dairy or cow/calf operation.
The following factors must be taken into consideration when selecting a corn hybrid for silage:
Hybrid maturity, technology traits for insect resistance, agronomic stability, genetic resistance, proven yield potential, starch content, fibre and starch digestibility, and agronomic considerations.

Hybrid Maturity

Pick an appropriate maturity to ensure quality and yield are met but that the product is ready in an appropriate harvest window.
In Canada, maturity is rated in terms of Corn Heat Units (CHU’s); i.e., 2100 CHU. CHU is a measure of cumulative heat over the growing season.
It is recommended to select a silage hybrid that is 100-150 CHU longer than a hybrid grown for grain.

Technology Traits

Look for hybrids with Insect resistant traits (Qrome®, Optimum® AcreMax®) and herbicide tolerance traits.

Agronomic Stability

Stress emergence and drought tolerance, along with stalk and root strength are key attributes for improved standability.

Genetic Resistance

Proven Yield Potential

Biomass yield – influenced by plant height and maturity of the ear.
Starch yield – influenced by grain yield of the ear.
Silage tonnage (dry matter yield) is primarily a function of:
Silage harvest timing – important because grain (starch) contributes about half of the dry matter yield (and a significant portion of the energy ~65%)

Hybrid genetics

corn stands

Starch Content

Primarily driven by genetics and environment.
Highest energy component of the corn plant is the kernel.
Heavily influenced by harvest maturity of the kernel.
Short statured plants generally have high starch energy but may lack overall plant biomass and tonnage.
Grain to stover ratio is the biggest factor affecting the energy value of corn silage.
Generally, the grain to stover ratio (G:S) is 30:70 to 50:50 on a dry matter basis.

Fibre and Starch Digestibility

Starch digestibility is the amount of starch digested in the rumen and the intestines.
Starch digestibility is influenced by kernel maturity and the extent of kernel processing. It is optimized 60-90 days post ensiling.
Fibre digestibility is influenced 3 times more by growing conditions than genetics.
Fibre digestibility between different hybrids is generally the same when measured at 35% dry matter.

Agronomic Considerations

Pioneer ® brand corn offers a range of both insect protection traits and proven effective seed treatments to combat both insect pests and damaging diseases that affect corn plants.
Qrome® - provides above and below ground insect protection (European Corn Borer and Corn Rootworm).
Optimum® AcreMax® - European Corn Borer
In addition to broad spectrum standard fungicide seed treatments, Pioneer ® brand corn offers Lumivia® insecticide seed treatment which provides enhanced early season protection against yield robbing insects such as wireworm and cutworms.

Corn silage yield and quality are determined by the interaction of:

G x E x M (Genetics, Environment, Management)
Silage yield is primarily driven by biomass (plant height at the ear) and starch content.
- Starch (grain) typically contributes half of silage dry matter yield.
- Silage yield is influenced by harvest timing, seed genetics and planting date in addition to weather, soil, and fertility.
Feed quality is primarily driven by starch

Silage yield components.

Figure 1. Silage yield components. Source: Mahanna et al., 2018. Silage Zone Manual, Third Edition.

Figure 2. 10-year average corn heat unit accumulation (2012-2021) for Western Canada. Map produced by Weather Innovations Consulting LP.