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2018 Results: PA Commercial Grain and Silage Hybrid Corn Tests Report

This report provides independent and unbiased information for the evaluation of commercial corn grain and silage hybrids available in Pennsylvania.
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Updated:
July 19, 2023
In This Article
    2018 Results: PA Commercial Grain and Silage Hybrid Corn Tests Report

    The purpose of the Corn Hybrid Performance Tests is to evaluate various corn hybrids for grain yield and other important agronomic characteristics. Results of the test can assist farmers in selecting hybrids best suited to their operation.

    The grain results is a report of 10 test locations across the state of Pennsylvania. These locations are chosen within 4 growing zones. Maturities across these zones range from 85 to 115 days relative maturity.

    The silage results is a report of 11 test locations across the state of Pennsylvania. This corn hybrid evaluation for silage production is a collaborative effort by Penn State and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP). These locations are chosen within 4 growing zones. Maturities across these zones range from 85 to 119 days relative maturity.

    New For 2018

    We have added Ash, Fat (Total Fatty Acids), NDFD30hr (previously 24hr), NDFD120hr, and NDFD240hr to data spreadsheets.

    Starch digestibility data is also available at 4 locations. This starch digestibility test differs from the "Starch" column in the report. The Starch % will still be posted, but an 4 additional spreadsheets labeled "IVSD" (In-Vitro Starch Digestibility) will have a starch digestibility column. This test is performed using wet chemistry, instead of NIR, run at a 4 hr incubation period at a 1 mm grind.

    Old, but still new for 2018

    Below is a "story" of uNDF240, written by Cargill nutritionist and PDMP committee member, Chris Canale.

    uNDF240

    Our corn hybrid evaluation reports now contain an new forage quality parameter called uNDF240. We developed a few questions below to share some of the potential of this new measurement.

    What is uNDF240?

    uNDF stands for undigested neutral detergent fiber (uNDF). NDF, commonly referred to as "cell wall," is comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The number "240" refers to the amount of NDF remaining undigested after 10 days (240 hours) in the rumen. The most common technique to determine uNDF is by in situ or in vitro incubation; once enough data is obtained, either technique can be used to create a calibration, or prediction, using NIR.

    uNDF is a problem because it's NDF that can't be fermented to end products -- VFA -- that are used to make milk and milk components. And, once ingested by the cow, uNDF may take up space, creating too much rumen fill. The result: lower dry matter intake. In a sense, when forages and diets are too high in uNDF, it's like making a cow's engine run on 4 cylinders instead of 6.

    What impacts uNDF?

    uNDF is determined by environment and genetics. In other words, growing conditions play a large role in the formation of the undigested fraction (uNDF). For example, 2018 corn silage has roughly 10%-units more uNDF than 2017 silage. The cool, wet conditions during early growth stages likely contributed to higher uNDF in 2018 corn silage plants. Genetics is a factor as well. BMR hybrids tend to have significantly lower uNDF than conventional hybrids. Forage uNDF240 values are determined by genetics and environment. Tile drainage should improve (lower) uNDF240 content of forages. Flood irrigation may increase uNDF240 content.

    Why is uNDF relevant?

    A growing body of literature and field experience tells us that uNDF can affect cow performance. Either intake, milk yield, and/or milk components can be affected.

    One key element to uNDF is the digestibility of the NDF that is available for digestion. In other words, what is the digestibility of the NDF at time points leading up to uNDF? This year, we reported digestibility of NDF at 30, 120, and 240h. These time points can be used to determine the kinetics, or rate, of NDF digestion. In the past we only reported one time point, either 24 or 30 hours. This was useful, but the combination of multiple time points provide a better estimate of the overall rate of NDF digestion. Combining rate and extent of digestion with uNDF should help us better explain cow performance.

    Bottom Line

    uNDF is not a new nutrient or measure. Researchers and nutritionists have been talking about uNDF for the past 20 years. Recently, though, experiments and models are "connecting the dots" linking uNDF to yield of milk and milk components. In the end, uNDF serves as another nutrient to fine-tune rations for dairy cows and help us develop better corn hybrids for feeding them.

    Seed Company Contact Information

    CompanyTrials1Street AddressPhoneWeb Address
    AgriGold Hybrids S 5381 Akin Rd, St. Francisville, IL 62460 800-262-7333 agrigold.com
    Augusta Seeds G S PO Box 899, Verona, VA 24482 540-886-6055 www.augustaseed.com
    Channel, LLC G S 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63167 800-331-7201 www.channel.com
    Chemgro Seeds G S PO Box 218, East Petersburg, PA 17520 800-346-4769 www.chemgro.com
    CPS/Dyna-Gro Seed G S 1140 Sweet Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052 716-912-5494 www.dynagroseed.com
    Doebler's PA Hybrids G S 1000 Commerce Pk Dr #106, Williamsport, PA 570-980-3906
    FS InVISION S 308 NE Front St, Milford, DE 19963 607-842-6330 www.fsseed.com
    Hubner Seed G S 10280 West SR 28, West Lebanon, IN 47991 765-893-4428 www.hubnerseed.com
    LG Seeds G 1453 Rosedale Ave, Bucyrus, OH 44820 513-535-0992

    www.lgseeds.com
    Masters Choice S 305 W Vienna St, Anna, IL 62906 618-833-6552 www.seedcorn.com
    Mid-Atlantic Seeds G S 204 St. Charles Way, #163E, York, PA 17402 717-852-8894 mas-office@comcast.net
    Monsanto Corp-Dekalb S 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd, St Louis, MO 63167 800-768-6387 Monsanto
    Mycogen S 9330 Zionsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46268 717-327-3090 Mycogen
    Dupont Pioneer S P.O. Box 1000 Johnston, IA 50131-0184 515-535-3200 www.pioneer.com
    Prairie Hybrids S 27445 Hurd Rd, Deergrove, IL 61243 717-371-1100 www.prairiehybrids.com
    Seedway LLC S 275 North Eighth St, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 570-939-1755 www.seedway.com
    Syngenta Seeds G S PO Box 959, Minneapolis, MN 55440 856-381-7772 Syngenta
    Local Seed Co. G S 802 Rozelle St. Memphis TN 38104 901-260-6000

    Grain and Silage Cooperator Locations

    Grain trial cooperators and location details

    CountyCityZone1NamePlanting DateHarvest Date
    Centre Rock Springs 1,2 Penn State Ag Research 5/2 10/18
    Clinton Lock Haven 2 Scott Munro 5/1 10/24
    Dauphin Hershey 3,4 Milton Hershey School 5/9 10/24
    Indiana Punxsutawney 1,2 Lyle and Nathan Stiteler 5/29 11/23
    Lehigh Breinigsville 3,4 Kyle Henninger 5/3 10/23
    Lycoming Montoursville 3,4 Dick Snyder 4/30 10/10
    Tioga Lawrenceville 1 Mike Fritz 5/11 10/30
    York Hellam 3,4 Richie Flinchbaugh 5/8 10/9

    1 Zone 1 =  1,600-1,950 degree days, Zone 2 = 1,950-2,300 degree days, Zone 3 = 2,300-2,650  degree days, Zone 4 = 2,650-3,100 degree days.

    Silage trial cooperators and location details

    CountyCityGroup1NamePlanting DateHarvest Date
    Bedford Martinsburg G2 Phil Kulp 5/24 10/3
    Blair Williamsburg G2 Penn-England 5/24 9/21
    Bradford Troy G0,G1 Gary Kline 5/11 NH2
    Bradford Canton G0,G1 Jeff Morse 5/25 9/24
    Centre Bellefonte G2 Dan Ulmer 5/9 9/21
    Centre Rock Springs G0,G1,G2 Penn State Ag Research 5/30 10/2, G2 NH2
    Chester West Grove G2SC,G3,G4,BMR Walt Moore 5/4 NH2
    Lancaster Bainbridge G2SC,G3,G4,BMR Don Risser 5/8 8/28, 9/6
    Lancaster Landisville G3,G4, BMR Penn State SE Ag Research 5/3 8/23, 8/27

    1. G0 = 85-94 day RM, G1 = 95-103 day RM, G2 = 99-110 day RM, G2SC = 99-110 day RM in South Central PA, G3 = 110-115 day RM, G4 = 116-119 day RM, BMR=114-115 day RM.

    2. Not Harvested

    2018 Grain Corn Hybrid Test Results

    Data from 10 test locations across the state of Pennsylvania. These locations are chosen within 4 growing zones. Maturities across these zones range from 85 to 115 days relative maturity.

    These reports provide individual grain yield results from each county or combined grain yield results from 3 to 4 locations.

    Reports by Season

    2018 Silage Corn Hybrid Reports

    This corn hybrid evaluation for silage production is a collaborative effort by Penn State and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP). These locations are chosen within 4 growing zones. Maturities across these zones range from 85 to 119 days relative maturity.

    Season and Location

    Short-season Area 

    Mid-season Area 

    Mid-season Silage in Late-season Area 

    Late-season Area 

    BMR Hybrids

    Starch Digestibility Trial (4 hr In-Vitro Starch Digestibility, 1 mm grind)

    Gregory W. Roth, Ph.D.
    Former Professor of Agronomy
    Pennsylvania State University
    Jessica A. Williamson, Ph.D.
    Former Extension Forage Specialist
    Pennsylvania State University
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