To maximise economic returns, corn crops grown specifically for silage production should be high grain yielding to deliver the best overall forage quality, according to Pioneer Brand Seeds’ Jason Scott.
Research has shown that the forage quality of corn leaves and stems, known as stover, varies between hybrids, but to maximise milk and animal production potential, grain yield will have the biggest influence.
“Highest grain yield provides the highest overall forage quality, so it makes sense to choose a high grain yielding hybrid,” Mr Scott said.
“Grain provides, in rough numbers, about 50 per cent of the silage yield. About 65 per cent of the metabolisable energy of the silage comes from the grain, and grain supplies 80 per cent more energy than stover on a kilogram for kilogram basis.
“This is why you need to have a high yielding grain hybrid to start with, for silage.
“Medium and quick maturity hybrids are usually best for providing the best mix of digestibility and metabolisable energy. They can yield good grain and provide quality stover at the right dry matter content.”
Pioneer has seen a tendency towards growers selecting hybrids in maturity categories less than 118CRM for silage.
“These hybrids allow growers to turn around a higher rate of crop rotations, mitigate early season frost and wet weather risks, and have enough water to get the crop through to the 34 to 38 per cent dry matter content for optimum silage production,” Mr Scott said.
“We see silage growers aiming for higher plant densities with the lower CRM hybrids, about 10 to 20 per cent more than for a grain crop, and this gives them the ability to hit that silage quantity plus quality sweet spot they are looking for.”
He recommended seeking advice from an agronomist or seed sales manager, because forage quality could be reduced through lower grain production where very high plant populations were used.
“It is important to select the correct hybrid for your growing environment, and to manage that crop for the conditions it will experience so you achieve your silage goal.”
Mr Scott also advised that, additional to agronomic factors, growers should not forget the importance of selecting the right bacteria inoculant to apply at the harvest stage.
Pioneer has been researching and identifying safe and effective bacterial strains to be used in silage additives and inoculants since 1978, and has developed a wide-ranging portfolio of crop-specific inoculants.
“A properly inoculated and ensiled silage pit will have minimal activity on the face of the silage at feed-out, reducing risk of spoilage losses and herd health issues,” Mr Scott said.
Pioneer commercialised the first proprietary inoculant containing L. buchneri — the main bacterial strain of choice to ensure silage pits remain cool and to prevent feed losses due to the growth of yeasts and moulds — in 2000.
“Pioneer has been making advances ever since,” Mr Scott said.
“We know that an inoculant that reduces pH to below 4.5 in a fast and efficient action will have reduced risk of spoilage through a slow fermentation.
“So in 2016, we introduced our Rapid React technology products which contain a new L. buchneri strain that works to produce stable silage in just seven days.
“With the trait characteristics of a quick season corn hybrid like Pioneer P9911 coupled with Pioneer brand inoculant 11C33 with Rapid React, dairy farmers are able to harvest and ensile for maximum energy and maximum milk production.”
Pioneer has also supported the advancement in inoculant technology with the development of an application system designed and calibrated specifically for Pioneer brand inoculant products.
“The unique design of the Appli-Pro application system reduces water requirements and offers a high level of application precision and convenience,” Mr Scott said.
The Appli-Pro has been designed to work with all major brands of forage harvesting equipment, and allows the operator to use the easily calibrated cab-mounted control panel to turn the applicator on and off to precisely control the application rate.
Controls are available either as wired or via iPad app, to suit the operator and cab set-up.
The super low application rate of the Appli-Pro application system and non-requirement to premix the inoculant before filling into the tank makes for less downtime and increased time chopping or baling.
For more information, visit: https://www.pioneerseeds.com.au/