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2019 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:
January 3, 2023
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    2019 Results: PA Commercial Grain and Silage Hybrid Corn Tests Report

    2019 Results: PA Commerical Grain and Silage Hybrid Corn Tests Report

    New For 2019

     

    For 2019, we have added a silage ranking tool called the Organic Matter Digestibility Index (OMD Index).  The OMD Index calculation will use wet chemistry to determine NDFD30 and 4h starch digestibility. The story behind the OMD Index is published within the results. Results from 2019 can be found below under the "2019 Silage Corn Hybrid Reports".

    The OMD Index:  We know that digestibility of nutrients in corn silage is paramount when determining value.  NDF and starch are responsible for much of the energy in corn silage.  In order to advance and update MILK 2006, we developed a new quality index based on digestibility of protein, fat, NDF, and starch called the OMD Index.

    For over 15 years the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP) and Penn State have partnered in a corn silage hybrid testing program.  Results around NDF and starch digestibility yielded much needed discussion about the impact of corn silage in rations for dairy cattle. 

    We will continue to look at the relationship between NIR and wet chemistry for the prediction of NDFD30 in fresh corn silage.  We already know that wet chemistry is the methodology to use for starch digestibility.  For the OMD Index, we will use wet chemistry data for NDFD30. 

    The OMD Index -- using data derived from wet chemistry analyses – will provide a useful metric to rank hybrids; furthermore, the OMD Index provides nutritionists with an estimate of rumen fermentability – or fuel -- overall. 

    uNDF240 still relevant …

    uNDF240

    Our corn hybrid evaluation reports a 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.  Excessive 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.

    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 had 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 might 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 will report digestibility of NDF at 12, 30, 120, and 240h. These time points can be used to determine the kinetics, or rate, of NDF digestion. Rate of digestion is used to predict OMD.

    Bottom Line

    OMD and uNDF are not new measures. For years, researchers and nutritionists have used digestibility estimates to design experiments and formulate rations for dairy cattle.  Today, though, integrating these data is a useful practice to gauge silage value and match hybrid to farm.  In the end, we hope OMD and uNDF serve to fine-tune rations for dairy cows and optimize silage hybrids for producers.

    Seed Company Contact Information

    CompanyTrials1Street AddressCityStateZipPhoneWeb Address
    AgriGold Hybrids S 5381 Akin Rd St. Francisville IL 62460 800-262-7333 www.agrigold.com
    Augusta Seeds G PO Box 899 Verona VA 24482 540-886-6055 www.augustaseed.com
    Blue River Organic Seed S G 2326 230th Street Ames IA 50014 515-239-5925 www.blueriverorgseed.com
    Channel, LLC G 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd St Louis MO 63167 800-331-7201 www.channel.com
    Chemgro Seeds S G PO Box 218 East Petersburg PA 17520 800-346-4769 www.chemgro.com
    Dekalb S 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis MO 63167 800-768-6387 www.dekalbasgrowdeltapine.com
    Nutrien Ag Solutions/Dyna-Gro Seed S G 1140 Sweet Rd East Aurora NY 14052 716-912-5494 www.dynagroseed.com
    Growmark FS InVISION S 308 NE Front St Milford DE 19963 607-842-6330 www.fsseed.com
    Hubner Seed S G 204 Lee Ave Galena MD 21635 410-708-3052 www.hubnerseed.com
    LG Seeds S G 9915 W M21 Ovid MI 48866 800-257-7333 www.lgseeds.com
    Local Seed Co. S G 39 Seeds Lane Jersey Shore PA 17740 901-260-6000 www.localseed.com
    Masters Choice S 305 W.Vienna St. Anna IL 62906 618-833-6552 www. seedcorn.com
    Mid-Atlantic Seeds S 204 St. Charles Way, #163E York PA 17402 717-852-8894 www.midatlanticseeds.com
    Mycogen S 9330 Zionsville Rd Indianapolis IN 46268 717-327-3090 www.mycogenseeds.com
    Pioneer S 129 Perry Hite Rd Greensburg PA 15601 515 535-3200 www.pioneer.com
    Prairie Hybrids S 27445 Hurd Rd Deergrove IL 61243 717-371-1100 www.prairiehybrids.com
    Seedway LLC S PO Box25, 1734 Railroad Place Hall NY 14463 570-939-1755 www.seedway.com
    Syngenta Seeds S G 4013 Fairmount Pike Signal Mountain TN 37377 856-381-7772 www.syngentacropprotection.com
    Seed Consultants S G 648 Miami Trace Road Washington C.H. OH 43160 570-980-3906 www.seedconsultants.com

    S = Silage Trial, G = Grain Trial

    Grain and Silage Cooperator Locations

    Silage trial cooperators

    CountyCityGroup1NamePlanting DateHarvest Date
    Bradford Troy G0/1 Lance Shedden 5/25 9/23
    Bradford Canton G0/1 Amanda and Rob Miller 5/25 NH
    Cambria Loretto G0/1 Valewood Farm 6/4 10/1
    Centre Rock Springs G0/1,G2 Penn State Agronomy Farm 5/9 9/9, NH
    Bedford Martinsburg G2 Phil Kulp 5/22 9/11
    Blair Williamsburg G2 Penn England Farms 5/22 9/17
    Centre Bellefonte G2 Dan Ulmer 5/8 9/10
    Chester West Grove G2SC, G3/4 Walt Moore 5/18 8/26, 9/4
    Lancaster Bainbridge G2SC, G3/4 Don Risser 5/18 8/26, 9/4
    Lancaster Landisville G2SC, G3/G4 Penn State SE Ag Research 5/17 NH
    Juniata Mifflintown G3/4 Dan Zugg 5/24 9/18

    1. G0/1 = 85-103 day RM, G2 = 100-111 day RM, G2SC = 98-110 day RM in South Central PA, G3/4= 111-120 day RM
    2. NH=Not Harvested

    2019 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 120 days relative maturity.

    Season and Location

    Short-season Area

    Mid-season Area

    Mid-season Silage in Late-season Area

    Late-season Area

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

    Organic Matter Digestibility (OMD) Index

    2019 Grain Corn Hybrid Test Results

    Data from 9 test locations across the state of Pennsylvania. These locations are chosen within 4 growing zones. Maturities across these zones range from 85 to 118 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

    Jessica A. Williamson, Ph.D.
    Former Extension Forage Specialist
    Pennsylvania State University
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