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STRAIGHT TALK ON CORN SILAGE
Corn silage issues are complex. There is a tendency to grasp a 'that makes sense’ explanation because the ‘real deal’
is often more complicated. Consider situation and speculation surrounding this corn silage issue, along with a brief
description of where Pioneer research currently stands with facts and science.
Kernel Texture,'
Situation: Cows sometimes pass whole kernels from corn silage into the manure. It is frustrating to see valuable
starch from corn kernels ‘escape’ digestion.
Speculation: Corn hybrids bred for higher gram test weight are more likely to result in silage corn kernels passing
into the manure. Corn hybrids bred to have softer kernel texture provide more digestible starch.
Facts and Science: All seed companies determine test weight at gram maturity (black layer) Kernels with high test
weight tend to have hard kernel texture at gram maturity. The hard starch that contributes most to high test weight and
hard kernel texture is the last starch developed as the kernel matures. More research needs to be done to determine
kernel texture differences at silage maturity. Pioneer is currently conducting research in this area. Hybrids with softer
kernel texture have not shown higher starch availability. Soft kernel texture hybrids tend to have less starch as a
percent of the plant and lower dry matter yield per acre. Soft textured corn hybrids have a higher risk of developing
mold and mycotoxm problems.
STRAIGHT TALK ON CORN SILAGE PERFORMANCE
Homeland Farms Harford County, Maryland
Planting Date 05/01/2000 Harvest Date 08/30/2000
Specialty % Yield Dig WP Adj Adj
Brand Hybrid Segment DM 30% Sugar Starch Fib Dig NE-I Milk/A
Pioneer 33Y09 Bt 30 31 0 8 9 26 7 43 7 70 8 071 20,043
Cargill F 867 23 201 8 6 23 9 51 2 72 4 072 12,887
Vincent E. Hushon York County, Pennsylvania
Planting Date 05/25/2000 Harvest Date.o9/02/2000
Specialty % Yield Dig WP Adj Adj
Brand Hybrid Segment DM 30% Sugar Starch fib Dig NE-I Mjlk/A
Pioneer 33J56 30 25 8 7 2 27 4 43 7 71 2 073 18,470
Doebler‘s 75MOD 23 24 5 5 1 28 9 44 5 70 3 070 15.698
Robert Jordan York County, Pennsylvania
Planting Date 04/16/2000 Harvest Date 09/06/2000
Specialty % Yield Dig WP Adj Adj
Brand Hybrid Segment DM 30% Sugar Starch Fib Dig ME-I Milk/A
Pioneer 33J56 36 30 4 5 2 32 5 42 9 72 0 075 22,141
Mycogen TMFII3 39 26 1 4 7 29 0 40 5 67.8 066 15,041
/'jjjjjjSN Bt = Contains the Yield Gard 1 gene
MMinuill ' e 9 isterecl trademark of, and used under license from,
proi.dion Monsanto Company
Yield 30% = Whole plant yield/acre adjusted to 30% dry matter
DM = Whole plant dry matter at silage harvest
Sugar = % sugars {DM basis) in the whole plant sample
Starch = % starch (DM basis) in the whole plant sample
Dig. Fiber = Enzymatic estimate of % degradable NDF (digestible
fiber)(DM basis) in the whole plant sample predicted by NIRS
WP Dig. = Whole plant digestibility (DM basis) estimate (Deßoever et al)
predicted by NIRS Starch hydrolysis with enzymatic degradation of protein
and cellulose, used to register silage hybrids in Europe
Adj. NE-L = Adjusted Net Energy of Lactation (Mcal/lb , DM basis)
predicted by 0 996-(0 0126 x ADF%) Adj NE-L employs an adjusted ADF
using IVDC as a covanate Will net correctly value unique germplasm such
as high oil corn
Adj Mllk/A = A “milk per acre” yield and quality index based on animal
requirements of a 1350-lb cow milking 90 lbs of milk at 3 8% fat Animal
requirements were estimated using MILK9S model published by Umv of
Wisconsin (J Prod Ag 6 231-235) Fiber inputs to MILK9S were adjusted by
an enzyme-based in vitro digestibility procedure to account (or fact not all
fiber is degraded at same rate or extent by rumen bacteria
See your Pioneer sales professional
for more straight talk on corn silage.
I Passage
Caution should be used when making hybrid decisions based on smgle/limited
plot comparisons Be sure hybrid comparisons are of ‘ similar ’ maturity for that
area of adaptation Pioneer research suggests a minimum of 20 side-by-side
companons are required for valid yield and nutritional comparisons
wwvMpioneer.com
Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of
purchase which are part of the labeling and purchase documents Pioneer is a
brand name, numbers identify varieties and products ®, SM TM Trademarks
and service marks, registered or applied for, of Pioneer Hi-Bred International,
Inc., Des Moines, lowa, USA© 2000 PHII
For year to year data,
couttH t wwir. uctyi.com
Corn Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 14, 2000-Page
Check Out NCGA’s New
Legislative Action Center
NCGA’s web site,
www.ncga.com, features a
Legislative Action Center. It
includes an interactive con
gressional directory, a com
plete guide to all §0 state
legislatures, a detailed con
gressional calendar and
much, much more.
Find out the status key
bills that NCGA is tracking
on your behalf, and find out
where your representative
PIONEER
ORN BITS
and senators stand on these
bills. Track the latest devel
opments on the campaign
trail in the Election 2000 sec
tion, and find contact infor
mation for key media outlets
in your area in the interactive
media guide.
On the NCGA home page,
look for the Legislative
Action Center logo in the
middle of the right-hand
column.
NCGA Unveils
IRM Website
ST. LOUIS, Mo. The National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
introduced the final piece of its
insect resistance management
(IRM) education plan.
Growers throughout the country
can now go on line at www.ncga
.com and check the IRM require
ments on their farm.
Last April the NCGA, in conjunc
tion with the technology companies,
and in consultation with leading
land grant universities developed an
industry-wide plan for preventing
corn borer resistance to the Bt tech
nology. This plan was codified by
the EPA in January.
“We developed this industry
wide approach to simplify the mes
sage to farmers on their refuge
requirements,” said Fred Yoder,
Plain City, Ohio farmer and NCGA
Corn Board member. “Since refuge
requirements differ geographically,
this Website will allow farmers to
see exactly what they need to do by
state and by county to be in compli
ance.
“Producers have demonstrated
that they will exercise individual re
sponsibility once they are informed.
It’s been true in areas such as soil,
conservation, protecting water qual
ity, and proper handling of chemi
cals. Preserving Bt technology is no
different. It is individual action on
individual farms that will protect
this technology for everyone, and
this Website will help inform
growers” said Yoder.
231