Our new line of silage and dual-purpose hybrids offers the diversity of genetics, traits and forage quality to complement high tonnage goals. It starts with selecting hybrid families based on their genetic characteristics . Once this field strategy is in place for the new season, then the nutritional demands can be dialed in by fine- tuning hybrid selection and focusing on harvest management.
As we increase and decrease plant populations, we start to see beneficial hybrid responses for corn silage production. A significant portion of the whole plant weight can come from the grain itself, with the balance of the material being made up of the stover. In practice, this is referred to as fixed (consistent ear type) versus flex (longer, girthier ear at low populations) characteristics, which greatly affect corn silage results. High- or low-fermentable starch contribution must also be evaluated when formulating rations using specific types of silage hybrids.