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2020 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:
October 8, 2024
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    2020 Results: PA Commercial Grain and Silage Hybrid Corn Tests Report

    2020 Results: PA Commerical Grain and Silage Hybrid Corn Tests Report

    New For 2020

    In 2019, we added a silage ranking tool called the Organic Matter Digestibility Index (OMD Index). We only tested 1 location within each maturity range. In 2020, we have tested all hybrids, locations, and maturities. 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 2020 can be found below under the "2020 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 and Starch. 

    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. 

    Organic matter digestibility is not a new measure. For years, researchers and nutritionists have used digestibility estimates to formulate rations for dairy cattle. Today, integrating these data is a useful practice to gauge silage value and match hybrid to farm needs. Put simply, OMD measures whole plant digestibility.  Emphasis is on digestibility of all main nutrients.  In the end, we hope OMD serves to facilitate discussion among producer, seed consultant, and dairy nutritionist as to which hybrids offer the best nutrient value for dairy cows.

    Seed Company Contact Information

    Contact NameCompanyAddressCity, State, Zipe-mail addressPhone
    Justin Warren Agrigold 5381 Akin Road St. Francisville, Illinois 62460 justin.warren@agrigold.com 800-262-7333
    Travis Janak BH Genetics 5933 FM 1157 Ganado, TX 77962 travisj@bhgenetics.com 361-771-8722
    Matt Nielsen /RJ Krekeler Blue River Organic Seed 2326 230th Street Ames, IA 50014 matt@blueriverorgseed.com 515-233-3090
    Jim Valent CHANNEL 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63167 jim.valent@channel.com 814 571-8600
    Jared Bruckhart Chemgro Seeds PO Box 218 East Petersburg, PA 17520 jaredb@chemgro.com 717-560-0117
    Bryan Dillehay Dekalb 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63167 bryan.dillehay@monsanto.com 800-768-6387
    Mark Guttendorf Growmark FS Seeds 308 NE Front St. Milford, DE 19963 mguttendorf@growmarkfs.com 315-427-3558
    Amy Hoy Hubner Seed 204 Lee Ave Galena, MD 21635 amy.hoy@hubnerseed.com 410-708-3052
    Clint Black Hubner Seed 111 Stevens Hill Rd Altoona, PA 16601 clint.black@hubnerseed.com 814-207-2167
    Tracy Neff King's AgriSeeds Inc. 1828 Freedom Road, Suite 101 Lancaster, PA 17601 tracyneff@kingsagriseeds.com 717-687-6224
    Tim Jordal LG Seeds 9915 W M21 Ovid, MI 48866 tim.jordal@lgseeds.com 800-257-7333
    Doug Messersmith Local Seed Company 39 Seeds Lane Jersey Shore, PA 17740 Doug.Messersmith@localseed.com 570-419-3692
    Kyle Vosburgh Master's Choice Seed Corn 305 W. Vienna St. Anna, IL 62906 kyle@seedcorn.com 618-697-7031
    James Vizzard Jr. Mid-Atlantic Seeds 204 St. Charles Way #163E York, PA 17403 office@midatlanticseeds.com 717-852-8894
    William Sutliff Brevant Seeds 10 Meade Dr. Carlisle, PA 17013 william.sutliff@brevant.com 717-448-0612
    Tom Barber Nutrien Ag Solutions/Dyna-Gro Seed 1140 Sweet Road East Aurora, NY 14-52 tom.barber@cpsagu.com 716-912-5494
    Kevin Fry Pioneer Seeds 129 Perry Hite Rd Greensburg, PA 15601 kevin.fry@pioneer.com 412-266-2350
    Jordan Bassler Seed Consultants, Inc. 648 Miami Trace Road Washington C.H., OH 43160 jordan.bassler@seedconsultants.com 570-980-3906
    Mark Mattingly Syngenta Seeds 4013 Fairmount Pike Signal Mountain, TN 37377 mark.mattingly@syngenta.com 717-951-2730

    Grain and Silage Cooperator Locations

    2020 Silage trial cooperators
    County City Group1 Name Planting Date Harvest Date
    Bradford Canton G0/1 South-Mont Farm 5/20 9/14
    Bedford Martinsburg G2 Kulp Family Dairy 5/18 NH
    Blair Williamsburg G2 Penn England Farms 5/18 9/9
    Cambria Loretto G0/1 Vale Wood Farms 5/28 9/16
    Centre Rock Springs G0/1, G2 Penn State Agronomy Farm 5/26 9/11, 9/15
    Centre Bellefonte G2 Guided Path Farm 5/18 NH
    Chester West Grove G2SC, G3/4 Walmoore Holstiens Inc. 5/13 8/28, 8/31
    Clinton Loganton G0/1 Schrack Farms 5/21 NH
    Juniata Port Royal G2SC, G3/4 Reinford Farms 5/22 NH
    Lancaster Bainbridge G2SC, G3/4 Meadow-Vista Dairy 5/12 8/27, 9/8
    Lancaster Landisville G2SC, G3/4 Penn State SE Research Center 5/14 8/27, 9/3

    1. G0/1 = 85-105 day RM, G2 = 100-111 Day RM, G2SC = 103-111 day RM in South Central PA, G3/4 = 101-118 day RM
    2. NH=Not Harvested

    2020 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

    2020 Grain Corn Hybrid Test Results

    Data from 11 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

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