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Agronomy •  2022-06-27

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.

Factors to consider when selecting a corn hybrid for silage:

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

  • Genetic resistance to diseases such as Goss’ wilt.

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

  • Planting date

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 Summary

  • 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.

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