The Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
The University of Georgia

1999 Corn Performance Tests
Research Report #661
November, 1999

Silage Test Results

Selection of Corn Hybrids for Use as Silage

J.C. Johnson, Jr., and R.N. Gates

The information presented in the following tables is intended to help producers select corn hybrids that produce large yields of high quality silage. Consistently high yields over several locations and years reliably show a hybrid's ability to produce top yields. Primary quality factors are the proportion of grain and the digestibility of the grain and non-grain portions of the hybrid. Hybrids differ in the proportion of grain they produce.

In the past, it was accepted that a hybrid with the highest proportion of grain made the highest quality silage. Research has shown that, many times, this is not true. In-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) is a measure of the percentage of a feedstuffs the animal can digest and utilize. IVDMD values for grain are high and do not vary greatly among hybrids. IVDMD values for the non-grain portion (fodder) of the corn plant are lower but much more variable among hybrids compared to the grain portion. Thus, one hybrid with a lower proportion of grain could have high quality (digestibility) because the IVDMD of its fodder portion was much higher than another hybrid having a higher proportion of grain but a much lower IVDMD of its fodder portion.



Summary of Evaluations of Corn Hybrids for Silage
Blairsville, Calhoun, Griffin, and Tifton, Georgia, 1999
  Quality Factors1  
IVDMD Dry Matter Yield
Company or
Brand Name
Hybrid
No.
Maturity
Class
Fodder Grain Whole
Plant2
Grain
Portion
Statewide
Average*
Blairsville Calhoun Griffin Tifton
  --------- % ---------- % ------------------ tons/acre -----------------
Short and Mid-Season
 
AgriPro AP 9707 S 59.6 93.4 77.4 53 . . . . 9.3
AgriPro AP 9829IMI S 56.9 93.1 75.6 52 . . . . 10.4
AgriPro AP 9909 M 63.9 93.4 79.5 53 . . . . 10.1
AgriPro AP 9939 M 59.2 95.3 78.3 53 . . . . 10.6
AgriPro HS 9843 S 57.2 93.4 76.3 53 . . . . 8.1
 
AgriPro HY 9646 S 58.7 94.7 76.8 50 . . . . 10.5
Asgrow RX 897 S 58.7 94.1 76.7 51 . . . 9.2 10.2
Asgrow RX 913 S 58.5 92.6 77.2 55 . . . 8.7 10.6
DeKalb DK 687 M 60.9 94.4 77.7 50 9.8 10.8 . 8.1 10.6
Garst 8220 M 60.0 92.5 77.7 55 . . . 7.7 9.9
 
NK N 83-N5 M 61.4 93.5 78.0 52 . . . . 10.7
NK N 83-R7 M 63.9 93.0 78.9 51 . . . . 10.7
NK N 8811 M 59.7 93.4 77.5 53 11.2 12.8 . 10.3 10.6
Pioneer 3154 M 59.6 92.6 75.7 49 10.4 13.0 . 8.8 9.4
Pioneer 3167 M 61.7 94.0 77.4 49 9.4 10.4 . 7.8 9.9
 
Pioneer 31G20 M 58.4 92.3 75.1 49 12.3 15.4 . 9.4 12.0
Pioneer 32k61 S 59.1 94.3 76.0 48 10.0 11.7 . 8.1 10.2
Pioneer 33J56 S 58.5 93.5 77.3 54 10.7 12.8 . 8.3 11.0
Southern States SS849CL M 63.1 92.0 78.3 52 10.0 11.5 . 8.6 9.8
Southern States SS859CL M 55.2 94.2 75.6 52 10.3 11.5 . 8.7 10.7
 
Southern States SS897 M 60.4 94.1 78.1 52 9.1 9.8 . 8.0 9.6
Southern States SS943 M 60.1 93.7 77.2 51 9.9 12.2 . 7.6 10.0
Zimmerman 1851W S 62.1 93.5 76.4 45 . . . . 11.3
Zimmerman Z64W S 60.0 93.6 75.4 46 . . . . 10.5
 
Average 59.9 93.5 77.1 51 10.3 12.0 . 8.5 10.3
LSD at 10% Level 3.5 N.S.3 1.9 2 - 1.9   1.1 1.0
Std. Err. of Entry Mean 1.5 1.0 1.0 1 - 0.8   0.4 0.4
 
Full-Season
 
Greenwood 830 F 50.6 86.0 66.3 44 . . . . 10.3
Greenwood 835 F 55.0 86.1 68.0 42 . . . . 12.2
Greenwood 840 F 49.5 78.4 62.2 44 . . . . 9.9
NK McNair 508 F 52.3 86.8 67.3 44 . . . . 10.5
NK NX 9188 F 52.4 87.1 69.8 50 . . . . 12.0
 
Pioneer 3085 F 50.7 83.7 68.4 54 9.7 10.7 . 8.4 9.9
Southern States Exp 79579 F 56.1 84.1 68.9 45 10.6 11.5 . 8.8 11.4
Southland Genetics SG1701 M 56.3 83.5 70.5 52 . . . . 11.3
Southland Genetics SG1836 F 55.2 85.4 68.5 44 . . . . 9.5
Southland Genetics SG1877 F 49.3 88.3 66.2 44 . . . . 10.7
 
Southland Genetics 9006C F 54.0 86.2 68.0 43 . . . . 10.7
 
Average 52.9 85.1 67.7 46 10.2 11.1 . 8.6 10.7
LSD at 10% Level 3.4 N.S. 3.7 4 - N.S.   N.S. 1.2
Std. Err. of Entry Mean 1.4 2.4 1.5 2 - 0.8   0.4 0.5
* Tifton, Griffin, and Blairsville.
1. Quality factors taken from the replicated silage trial at Tifton.
2. This variable is calculated to reflect the relative contribution of each component using the following formula: whole plant IVDMD = fodder IVDMD X percent fodder + grain IVDMD X percent grain.
3. The F-test indicated no statistical differences at the alpha = .10 probability level; therefore an LSD value was not calculated.
Bolding indicates entries performing equally to highest performing entry within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (P = 0.10).




Tifton, Georgia:
Evaluation of Corn Hybrids for Silage, 1999, Irrigated
Company or Brand Name Hybrid
Name
Maturity
Class
Forage Yield Dry
Matter
Grain
Portion
Plant
Population
2-Year Average Dry Forage Yield
  Dry Green  
tons/acre % % no. tons/acre
Short and Mid-Season
 
Pioneer 31G20 M 12.0 23.1 52.2 49 25701 12.4
Zimmerman 1851 S 11.3 23.7 47.6 45 22869 .
Pioneer 33J56 S 11.0 23.6 47.1 54 24612 .
NK N 83-N5 M 10.7 21.1 50.9 52 25483 11.4
Southern States SS859CL M 10.7 21.7 49.5 52 23740 .
 
NK N 83-R7 M 10.7 23.6 45.3 51 23522 11.1
Asgrow RX 913 S 10.6 20.5 51.8 55 25483 .
DeKalb DK 687 M 10.6 25.2 42.1 50 23740 11.4
AgriPro AP 9939 M 10.6 22.5 47.0 53 23958 .
NK N 8811 M 10.6 22.3 47.6 53 24829 11.5
 
AgriPro HY 9646 S 10.5 20.1 52.2 50 23740 .
Zimmerman Z64W S 10.5 22.9 45.7 46 24394 .
AgriPro AP 9829IMI S 10.4 21.6 48.4 52 25483 .
Asgrow RX 897 S 10.2 20.7 49.3 51 25047 .
Pioneer 32k61 S 10.2 20.7 49.5 48 23740 .
 
AgriPro AP 9909 M 10.1 21.7 46.6 53 24176 .
Southern States SS943 M 10.0 21.7 46.1 51 24176 .
Garst 8220 M 9.9 21.9 45.2 55 23523 .
Pioneer 3167 M 9.9 23.7 42.0 49 24394 .
Southern States SS849CL M 9.8 21.8 45.1 52 23522 .
 
Southern States SS897 M 9.6 21.8 44.2 52 23740 .
Pioneer 3154 M 9.4 18.9 49.9 49 23740 10.2
AgriPro AP 9707 S 9.3 21.8 42.9 53 24612 .
AgriPro HS 9843 S 8.1 16.9 48.0 53 23740 .
 
Average 10.31 21.8 47.3 51 24248 11.3
LSD at 10% Level 1.0 2.6 3.3 2 1403 0.8
Std. Err. of Entry Mean 0.4 1.1 1.4 1 595 0.3
 
Full-Season
 
Greenwood 835 F 12.2 29.7 41.1 42 25047 12.4
NK NX 9188 F 12.0 26.1 45.9 50 24612 .
Southern States Exp 79579 F 11.4 26.0 43.8 45 24611 .
Southland Genetics SG1701 M 11.3 23.6 48.3 52 24176 .
Southland Genetics SG1877 F 10.7 27.2 39.3 44 21345 10.9
 
Southland Genetics 9006C F 10.7 24.3 43.9 43 25700 12.6
NK McNair 508 F 10.5 24.4 43.2 44 24612 10.4
Greenwood 830 F 10.3 24.5 41.9 44 23522 11.1
Greenwood 840 F 9.9 26.0 38.0 44 22216 10.9
Pioneer 3085 F 9.9 25.4 39.1 54 24612 11.0
 
Southland Genetics SG1836 F 9.5 24.7 38.3 44 24611 9.6
 
Average 10.72 25.6 42.1 46 24097 11.1
LSD at 10% Level 1.2 N.S.3 3.3 4 2180 N.S.
Std. Err. of Entry Mean 0.5 1.4 1.4 2 908 0.4
1. CV = 8.7%, and df for EMS = 68.
2. CV = 9.4%, and df for EMS = 30.
3. The F-test indicated no statistical differences at the alpha = .10 probability level; therefore an LSD value was not calculated.
Bolding indicates entries yielding equal to highest yielding entry within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (P = 0.10).
Planted: March 18, 1999.
Harvested: July 23, 1999.
Seeding Rate: 26,000 seeds/acre in 30" rows.
Soil Type: Tifton loamy sand.
Soil Test: P = High, K = Medium, and pH = 6.0.
Fertilization: 116 lb N, 130 lb P2O5, and 195 lb K2O/acre as preplant; 185 lb N and 31lb S/acre as sidedress.
Previous Crop: Soybean.
Management: Moldboard plowed and rototilled; Sutan, Accent, Permit, and one cultivation used for weed control; Lorsban used for insect control; irrigated 6 inches.
 
Test conducted by A. E. Coy and M. D. Pippin.




Griffin, Georgia:
Evaluation of Corn Hybrids for Silage, 1999, Irrigated
Company or Brand Name Hybrid
Name
Maturity
Class
Forage Yield Dry
Matter
Grain
Portion
Plant
Population
2-Year Average Dry Forage Yield
  Dry Green  
tons/acre % % no. tons/acre
 
NK N 8811 M 10.3 21.3 48.4 47 25168 9.2
Pioneer 31G20 M 9.4 15.9 59.1 49 28798 8.7
Asgrow RX 897 S 9.2 16.4 56.0 47 27830 .
Pioneer 3154 M 8.8 14.2 61.8 52 25410 8.6
Southern States Exp 79579 F 8.8 18.1 48.6 51 27830 .
 
Asgrow RX 913 S 8.7 16.7 51.9 50 25894 .
Southern States SS859CL M 8.7 15.8 55.0 51 22748 .
Southern States SS849CL M 8.6 16.4 52.5 53 26620 .
Pioneer 3085 F 8.4 18.9 44.8 52 26136 8.3
Pioneer 33J56 S 8.3 14.7 56.0 49 24926 .
 
Pioneer 32k61 S 8.1 14.0 58.6 47 25652 .
DeKalb DK 687 M 8.1 15.0 53.7 47 26378 .
Southern States SS897 M 8.0 16.1 49.7 50 27588 .
Pioneer 3167 M 7.8 14.8 52.5 51 25894 .
Garst 8220 M 7.7 14.4 53.5 53 26862 .
 
Southern States SS943 M 7.6 14.6 52.2 51 24200 .
 
Average   8.51 16.1 53.4 50 26121 8.7
LSD at 10% Level   1.1 1.8 3.8 3 N.S.2 N.S.
Std. Err. of Entry Mean   0.4 0.8 0.6 1 1662 0.2
1. CV = 10.6%, and df for EMS = 45.
2. The F-test indicated no statistical differences at the alpha = .10 probability level; therefore an LSD value was not calculated.
Bolding indicates entries yielding equal to highest yielding entry within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (P = 0.10).
Planted: April 8, 1999.
Harvested: September 1, 1999.
Seeding Rate: 31,000 seeds/acre in 30" rows.
Soil Type: Appling coarse sandy loam.
Soil Test: P = Medium, K = High, and pH = 6.7.
Fertilization: 49 lb N, 98 lb P2O5, and 147 lb K2O/acre as preplant; 200 lb N/acre as sidedress.
Previous Crop: Soybean.
Management: Moldboard plowed and rototilled; Aatrex and Lasso used for weed control; irrigated 9 inches.
 
Test conducted by J. L. Day and P. A. Rose.


Calhoun, Georgia:
Evaluation of Corn Hybrids for Silage, 1999, Irrigated

A corn hybrid for silage performance trial was conducted at this location during the 1999 growing season. However, high wind and rain caused considerable lodging and variation in performance among plots within the test. Since this data could potentially be misleading if used in making decisions concerning hybrid selection, we have chosen not to present them in this publication.



Blairsville, Georgia:
Evaluation of Corn Hybrids for Silage, 1999, Nonirrigated
Company or Brand Name Hybrid
Name
Maturity
Class
Forage Yield Dry
Matter
Grain
Portion
Plant
Population
2-Year Average Dry Forage Yield
  Dry Green  
tons/acre % % no. tons/acre
 
Pioneer 31G20 M 15.4 29.5 52.1 48 26606 13.5
Pioneer 3154 M 13.0 25.0 51.8 50 25155 12.4
Pioneer 33J56 S 12.8 25.7 50.0 55 27090 .
NK N 8811 M 12.8 29.5 43.3 49 26606 12.2
Southern States SS943 M 12.2 23.8 51.1 53 28058 .
 
Pioneer 32k61 S 11.7 22.3 52.2 49 26123 .
Southern States Exp 79579 F 11.5 19.4 59.4 44 26606 .
Southern States SS849CL M 11.5 22.7 50.4 52 25155 .
Southern States SS859CL M 11.5 22.6 50.8 51 24188 .
DeKalb DK 687 M 10.8 23.4 46.0 46 24671 .
 
Pioneer 3085 F 10.7 24.1 44.5 52 24671 10.4
Pioneer 3167 M 10.4 23.6 44.1 50 28541 .
Southern States SS897 M 9.8 21.5 46.0 52 24671 .
 
Average   11.81 24.1 49.4 50 26011 12.1
LSD at 10% Level   1.9 3.2 4.1 4 N.S.2 1.6
Std. Err. of Entry Mean   0.8 1.4 1.7 2 1759 0.7
1. CV = 13.4%, and df for EMS = 36.
2. The F-test indicated no statistical differences at the alpha = .10 probability level; therefore an LSD value was not calculated.
Bolding indicates entries yielding equal to highest yielding entry within a column based on Fisher's protected LSD (P = 0.10).
Planted: May 11, 1999
Harvested: October 15, 1999
Seeding Rate: 28,600 plants/acre in 30" rows
Soil Type: Bradson clay loam
Soil Test: P = High, K = Medium, and pH = 6.3
Fertilization: 30 lb N, 60 lb P2O5, and 90 lb K2O/acre as preplant; 125 lb N/acre as sidedress.
Previous Crop: Soybean
Management: Moldboard plowed and disked; Aatrex, Bicep, and one cultivation used for weed control.
 
Test conducted by P. A. Rose, J. L. Day, and H. D. Garrett.


Quincy, Florida:
Evaluation of Corn Hybrids for Silage, 1999, Irrigated
Company or
Brand Name
Hybrid
Name
Maturity
Class
Forage Yield
(35% moisture)
Dry
Matter
Grain
Portion
Plant
Population
2-Year Average Dry Forage Yield
  tons/acre % % no. tons/acre
Short and Mid-Season
 
Pioneer 32k61 S 22.8 . . . .
Southern States SS859CL M 22.5 . . . .
NK N 83-N5 M 22.0 . . . .
Pioneer 3223 S 21.4 . . . .
NK N 83-R7 M 21.3 . . . .
 
NK N 8811 M 21.2 . . . .
AgriPro AP 9707 S 20.7 . . . .
DeKalb DK 687 M 20.6 . . . .
Pioneer 31G20 M 20.6 . . . .
Pioneer 33J56 S 20.4 . . . .
 
AgriPro AP 9909 M 20.0 . . . .
Asgrow RX 913 S 20.0 . . . .
Zimmerman 1851W S 20.0 . . . .
AgriPro HS 9843 S 19.9 . . . .
AgriPro AP 9939 M 19.8 . . . .
 
NK N73-N8 S 19.6 . . . .
AgriPro AP 9829IMI S 19.6 . . . .
AgriPro HY 9646 S 19.4 . . . .
Funk's G 5088 S 19.4 . . . .
Zimmerman Z64W S 19.4 . . . .
 
Southern States SS849CL M 19.2 . . . .
Funk's G X5583 M 19.1 . . . .
Pioneer 3154 M 18.9 . . . .
Pioneer 3167 M 18.8 . . . .
Southern States SS943 M 18.8 . . . .
 
Pioneer 3245 S 18.3 . . . .
Garst 8220 M 18.3 . . . .
Funk's G 5516 S 18.1 . . . .
Asgrow RX 897 S 18.0 . . . .
Pioneer 3146 M 18.0 . . . .
 
Pioneer 3098 M 17.9 . . . .
Southern States SS897 M 17.8 . . . .
Funk's G 4581 S 16.8 . . . .
Pioneer 3163 M 16.5 . . . .
NK N79-P4 S 16.2 . . . .
 
Average 19.51 .