Maine Corn Silage Hybrid Trial 2020 Results

Maine Corn Silage Hybrid Trial 2020 Results (PDF)

Rick Kersbergen
207.342.5971
richard.kersbergen@maine.edu

Caragh Fitzgerald
207.622.7546
cfitzgerald@maine.edu

Location: Misty Meadows Farm, Clinton, Maine Soil type: Woodbridge fine sandy loam Planting date: May 22, 2020

Fertility: 10,000 gallons/acre liquid manure + 75 lbs/A N (sidedress)

Herbicide: pre emergence 2 ½ qt. Acuron + 1 Qt. Atrazine + 1Qt. MaKaze post emergence: 3 qt Yukon + 1 Qt Makaze

Plot size: 15’ x 75’

Treatment arrangement: Randomized complete block design with 3 replications Target planting density: 32,000 plants/acre

Harvest date: September 11, 2020. No frost had yet occurred. Silage harvest was underway in the region.

Growing degree days: 2345 (86/50) (Climate Smart Farming) This was a historical record for the time period between planting and harvest.

Rainfall: 7.94 inches (NWS, Waterville, ME)

Harvest weights: Corn from each plot was chopped into a mixer wagon with scales.

Quality samples: Collected September 10, 2020. Three stalks per plot were randomly selected and chopped with a portable chipper. The chopped material was mixed, and a subsample was collected, frozen, and shipped for analysis (Cumberland Valley Analytical Services).

Data analysis: Analysis of variance was conducted using JMP. When a significant effect was found, linear regression analysis was conducted to see the effect of relative maturity on these parameters.

Results

Yield and Expected Milk Yield

Yields were corrected to a standard 30% dry matter. Forage digestibility and energy content were used to project potential milk yield (pounds of milk/ton of dry matter). Expected milk yield per acre was calculated by multiplying the potential milk per ton of dry matter by the tons of dry matter per acre. This serves as another measure of productivity of each hybrid. Both yield (30% DM) and expected milk yield results are shown in Table 1.

Average plot yield and milk yield were impacted in 2020 by low rainfall and record level growing degree days. Average yield over all plots was over 25 tons per acre corrected to 30% dry matter with an estimated milk yield of 23,875 lbs. of milk per acre.

Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among the hybrids tested for both yield (p=0.0023) and estimated milk yield (p=0.0055). In Table 1, hybrids followed by the same letter are statistically similar (Tukey’s HSD). When comparing most pairs of hybrids, the means were statistically equal.

There was a statistically significant linear correlation between relative maturity and yield (30% dry matter) (p=0.0084). This relationship was weak, with an r2 of 0.064291. There was no statistically significant linear correlation between relative maturity and estimated milk yield (p=0.2523).

Quality

Tables 1 and 2 lists select quality results for the 2020 trial.

In 2020, we encountered the most intense GDD (Growing Degree Days) season on record with an accumulation of 2345 GDD. Unfortunately, we also encountered several periods of moisture deficit with predictions of severe water deficit from 6/15-6/29, 7/31-8/5 and 8/10-8/25. (Climate Smart Farming)

Harvest moisture average was 32% dry matter with a range of about 28% DM to 39.5% DM. The variety with the highest dry matter at harvest was also the variety with the shortest predicted relative maturity (75 RM DynaGro D15VC77).

One way to select high-performing hybrids is to identify those that have both high crop yield and high milk yield (estimated pounds of milk per ton of dry matter). Within an experiment, we can compare hybrids by looking at their relative yields. Relative yields can be calculated by dividing a hybrid’s yield by the average yield of the whole experiment. Those hybrids with relative yields greater than 100% performed better than average, while those with relative yields less than 100% performed worse than average for the experiment. Figure 3 shows the relative crop yield and relative milk yield. Hybrids that yield better than average for both parameters are in the upper right quadrant of the graph.

Another measurement of interest that many nutritionists use in developing rations is uNDF Dig (240 hr.). A good example of how this impacts rations is seen in hybrid 28, the only entry in the 2020 that was a BMR variety and had the lowest uNDF percentage. While the BMR variety did not have the lowest ADF or NDF values, it did have the highest NDF digestibility and one of the lowest starch values.  This is important when feeding rations that include corn silage as the major portion of the forage component of the diet.

Discussion

2020 provided Maine corn silage growers with one of the warmest on record. Good soil conditions also offered growers the ability to plant earlier and harvest the crop at the correct moisture content for most varieties before a killing frost.

Drought conditions throughout the state probably limited yield and quality parameters.

Cover crop interseeded into 60-inch rows.
Cover crop interseeded June 30 into 60-inch rows. Photo Oct. 8, 2020.

Researchers also used this opportunity to compare growing the same variety in 30-inch rows versus 60-inch rows with double the planting population in the row (estimated 32,000 seeds per acre for both plots). Variety 36 was the same as variety 27, but planted at 60-inch rows. Looking at variety 27 compared to variety 36, you can see that the yield in tons/acre and milk yield (lbs/ton of DM and lbs/acre) are not statistically different. Researchers were interested in the potential for 60-inch rows to facilitate interseeding cover crops during the growing season. Data from another site indicates significant cover crop growth with interseeding corn at 60-inch rows versus 30-inch rows

Shorter season hybrids offer options for improved cover crop establishment and the potential for double cropping. Although they may be slightly less productive in some growing seasons, this additional crop flexibility can significantly improve the total yield of digestible nutrients per acre. There is risk associated with growers choosing longer season hybrids for higher yield, especially given changing climate conditions with large swings in growing conditions from year to year. By choosing short-season or mid-season varieties, producers help to guarantee a level of maturity and dry matter that produces quality corn silage that ferments well in the silo. They become less vulnerable to late wet harvest years. This also opens the door for improved nutrient and soil management options such as cover cropping.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank John Stoughton and the farm crew at Misty Meadows Farm for their help with planting, crop management, and harvest. We also thank Barney Wright and the Wright Place farm crew for lending a planter in the spring and a weigh wagon and driver for harvest time. Thanks are also extended to the seed dealers who helped with seed donation, planting, and harvesting and to staff and students who helped in the field and in the office.

Table 1: Yield and estimated milk yield, 2020 Maine corn silage hybrid trial

Variety Number Hybrid name RM Yield (tons/acre at 30% DM)* Relative Yield** Milk Yield (lbs/ton DM)*, *** Re lative Milk Yield** Estimated Milk (lbs/acre)* Dry Matter (%)*
1 Schlessman 908GT 522 E2 90 22.0 abc 88% 2607 c 82% 17601 b 28.2 d
2 Schlessman SX770 rr 77 27.0 abc 108% 3393 ab 107% 27512 ab 34.1 a-d
3 Seedway SW 2190 GEN ss 83 24.0 abc 96% 3154 abc 100% 22628 ab 32.7 a-d
4 Seedway SW2369 3000 GT 84 25.9 abc 103% 3113 abc 98% 24108 ab 39.5 a
5 Seedway SW 3664 RR 91 24.5 abc 98% 3261 abc 103% 23964 ab 30.9 bcd
6 Seedway SW2840 Gen VT2 87 22.7 abc 91% 3218 abc 102% 22026 ab 30.6 bcd
7 Croplan 2123 81 26.5 abc 106% 3223 abc 102% 25649 ab 36.9 abc
8 Croplan 2790 87 25.1 abc 100% 3347 abc 106% 25349 ab 30.1 bcd
9 Croplan 2845 86 24.5 abc 98% 3329 abc 105% 24470 ab 31.8 a-d
10 NK 9535-322- EZ-1 95 25.8 abc 103% 3206 abc 101% 24841 ab 31.0 bcd
11 NK 9227-5222A.1 EZ-1 92 26.0 abc 104% 2850 abc 90% 22314 ab 27.9 d
12 NK 9653-5220.0 EZ-1 96 29.4 a 117% 3011 abc 95% 26454 ab 32.3 a-d
13 Pioneer P8820Q 88 25.2 abc 100% 2985 abc 94% 22432 ab 37.4 abc
14 Pioneer P9301AM 93 27.0 abc 107% 3278 abc 104% 26511 ab 35.0 a-d
15 Pioneer P0414AM 102 28.9 ab 115% 3134 abc 99% 27240 ab 29.0 cd
16 DeKalb DKC44-80 RIB 94 26.2 abc 104% 3265 abc 103% 25670 ab 29.3 bcd
17 DeKalb DKC45-07 RIB 95 27.6 abc 110% 3479 a 110% 28837 a 32.5 a-d
18 DeKalb DKC47-55 RIB 97 24.0 abc 96% 3373 ab 107% 24265 ab 30.0 bcd
19 DeKalb DKC48-56 RIB 98 24.9 abc 99% 3154 abc 100% 23612 ab 28.1 d
20 DynaGro DG CX20185VC 80 26.4 abc 105% 3308 abc 105% 26226 ab 30.6 bcd
21 DynaGro DG D32VC56VT2P 92 27.1 abc 108% 3367 ab 106% 27427 ab 31.0 bcd
22 DynaGro DG D35SS58SS 95 24.8 abc 99% 3314 abc 105% 24538 ab 31.8 a-d
23 DynaGro DG D15VC77RIBVT2P 75 24.3 abc 97% 3014 abc 95% 21968 ab 39.6 a
24 Brevant B86Y02AM 86 24.2 abc 96% 3001 abc 95% 21750 ab 33.8 a-d
25 Brevant B90R92AM 90 27.3 abc 109% 3241 abc 103% 26588 ab 32.3 a-d
26 Brevant B97T04SXE 97 25.5 abc 101% 2680 abc 85% 20450 ab 27.9 cd
27 Brevant B83T86PWE 83 23.6 abc 94% 3079 abc 97% 21730 ab 31.8 a-d
28 Brevant B90B77SXE (BMR) 90 21.6 ab 86% 3160 abc 100% 20494 ab 31.5 a-d
29 Channel 185-30 VT2prib 85 24.3 abc 97% 3388 ab 107% 24712 ab 34.1 a-d
30 Channel 189-39VT2 prib 89 23.2 abc 93% 3236 abc 102% 22497 ab 32.2 a-d
31 Channel 199-39VT2 prib 99 24.7 abc 98% 2641 bc 84% 19462 ab 28.3 d
32 Channel 183-55 smart stax 83 20.3 c 81% 3346 abc 106% 20472 ab 36.2 a-d
33 Masters Choice MCT 3223 82 23.5 abc 93% 3242 abc 103% 22817 ab 37.5 ab
34 Masters Choice MCT 4056 90 26.0 abc 104% 3138 abc 99% 24578 ab 29.3 bcd
35 Red Tail 45T04 95 27.3 abc 109% 3217 abc 102% 26368 ab 31.3 a-d
36 Mycogen 83y26, 60 inch rows 83 22.5 abc 90% 3075 abc 97% 20794 ab 33.6 a-d
Plot mean 25.1 3162 23843 32.2

 

Table 2: Select quality results, 2020 Maine corn silage hybrid trial

Variety Number Hybridname RM Crude Protein (%DM) ADF (%DM) NDF (%DM) aNDFom (%DM) Starch (%DM) Net Energy Lactation (Mcal/lb) NDF Dig. (30hr) (%NDF) uNDF Dig. (240hr) (%NDF)
1 Schlessman 908GT 522 E2 90 8.17 27.23 42.83 41.70 23.17 0.71 50.53 41.00
2 Schlessman SX770 rr 77 7.07 22.73 36.57 36.03 37.00 0.76 53.13 41.67
3 Seedway SW 2190 GEN ss 83 7.17 24.00 39.03 38.40 34.57 0.74 50.10 37.23
4 Seedway SW2369 3000 GT 84 7.23 22.27 37.83 37.23 38.87 0.76 57.03 35.30
5 Seedway SW 3664 RR 91 7.80 24.83 40.77 40.07 31.53 0.73 53.27 38.13
6 Seedway SW2840 Gen VT2 87 7.57 25.40 40.93 40.33 32.00 0.73 53.97 36.40
7 Croplan 2123 81 7.97 20.80 35.03 34.47 40.07 0.77 52.83 37.03
8 Croplan 2790 87 7.07 24.30 39.00 38.30 35.90 0.74 54.30 36.30
9 Croplan 2845 86 6.67 24.83 40.13 39.47 35.20 0.74 54.90 36.90
10 NK 9535-322- EZ-1 95 7.50 25.53 40.73 39.97 31.47 0.73 53.57 38.93
11 NK 9227-5222A.1 EZ-1 92 8.23 25.03 39.67 38.33 27.43 0.73 50.97 40.80
12 NK 9653-5220.0 EZ-1 96 8.43 23.77 38.40 37.43 29.97 0.75 53.47 37.27
13 Pioneer P8820Q 88 6.97 23.77 38.20 37.60 39.37 0.74 48.40 39.53
14 Pioneer P9301AM 93 7.87 23.07 38.03 37.47 36.80 0.75 54.07 38.03
15 Pioneer P0414AM 102 7.70 24.43 39.03 37.83 30.13 0.74 57.97 33.83
16 DeKalb DKC44-80 RIB 94 6.83 25.20 40.53 39.70 33.47 0.73 54.27 35.73
17 DeKalb DKC45-07 RIB 95 7.60 21.23 35.60 34.77 38.23 0.77 57.90 30.90
18 DeKalb DKC47-55 RIB 97 7.47 23.80 39.00 38.27 33.67 0.75 56.60 34.67
19 DeKalb DKC48-56 RIB 98 7.30 26.30 42.23 41.50 30.10 0.72 53.77 38.23
20 DynaGro DG CX20185VC 80 7.73 24.03 39.03 37.87 33.40 0.74 54.77 32.80
21 DynaGro DG D32VC56VT2P 92 7.07 23.37 38.50 37.57 34.47 0.75 57.47 33.07
22 DynaGro DG D35SS58SS 95 7.20 24.03 39.00 38.33 34.27 0.74 53.87 36.90
23 DynaGro DG D15VC77RIBVT2P 75 8.27 23.53 39.90 39.30 34.17 0.74 55.30 39.17
24 Brevant B86Y02AM 86 7.43 24.93 39.97 39.13 31.90 0.73 51.23 39.33
25 Brevant B90R92AM 90 7.13 23.50 37.97 37.27 35.30 0.75 51.67 37.00
26 Brevant B97T04SXE 97 7.47 27.63 43.63 42.60 25.27 0.72 54.57 38.43
27 Brevant B83T86PWE 83 7.30 27.97 45.63 44.90 27.97 0.71 56.83 34.60
28 Brevant B90B77SXE (BMR) 90 7.60 26.73 44.63 43.97 25.03 0.73 67.10 21.13
29 Channel 185-30 VT2prib 85 7.27 21.37 35.57 34.90 39.77 0.76 53.40 36.03
30 Channel 189-39VT2 prib 89 6.80 24.43 39.97 39.37 37.13 0.74 54.07 38.33
31 Channel 199-39VT2 prib 99 7.70 29.43 45.87 44.70 20.93 0.70 55.60 37.70
32 Channel 183-55 smart stax 83 7.27 20.27 34.33 33.83 41.30 0.77 53.60 35.87
33 Masters Choice MCT 3223 82 7.40 20.73 35.03 34.47 42.03 0.77 53.70 36.23
34 Masters Choice MCT 4056 90 7.53 24.97 39.27 38.10 32.00 0.73 51.67 40.03
35 Red Tail 45T04 95 7.63 23.03 38.13 37.30 32.97 0.75 53.53 35.13
36 Mycogen 83y26, 60 inch rows 83 7.73 24.10 39.47 38.80 33.33 0.74 54.20 36.23
Plot mean 7.5 24.2 39.4 38.6 33.3 0.7 54.3 36.6

 

Table 3: Growing degree days, and increase in yield (30% dry matter) and expected milk yield for each 10 days increase in relative maturity as estimated by linear regression, Maine corn silage hybrid trial, 2007-2020.

Year Location Growing degree days (86/50) Tons/acre yield (30%DM) increase per 10 days maturity Pounds/acre milk yield increase per 10 days maturity
2007 Clinton 2086 1.10 Not calculated
2008 Clinton 1840 0.97 Not calculated
2009 Leeds 1908 No relationship 91
2010 Leeds 2120 1.90 2890
2011 Clinton 2287 2.00 3280
2012 Clinton 2160 1.10 1480
2013 Clinton 2027 No relationship No relationship
2014 Clinton 1933 No relationship No relationship
2015 Clinton 2347 1.08 2790
2016 Clinton 2082 Not calculated Not calculated
2017 Clinton 2035 1.70 85
2018 Cinton 2004 0.62 No relationship
2019 Clinton 1890 1.20 132
2020 Clinton 2345 1.09 No relationship
AVERAGE 2076 1.28 1535

 

Table 4: Monthly rainfall, Waterville, Maine, 2020 (National Weather Service)

Month Rain (inches)
May (after planting) 0.08
June 1.83
July 4.68
August 1.28
September (before harvest) 0.07
Total 7.94

——

Optimum silage moisture range (30-34% DM); Dry matter = 60.7 - 0.319*RM
Figure 1. Effect of Relative Maturity on Dry Matter (2020)

 

Number of Hybrids per NDFD (30 hr), % NDF: 1 at 48.0 - 49.9 ; 6 at 50.0 - 51.9; 11 at 52.0-53.99; 13 at 54.0-55.9; 3 at 56.0-57.9; 1 at 58.0-59.; and 1 at 66.0-67.9
Figure 2. Distribution of NDFD (30hr), % NDF (2020)

 

Mean milk yield (lbs/ton DM) = 3162; Mean plot yield 30% DM = 25.1 tons/acre
Figure 3. Relative Yield and Quality, 2020

 

Approimate yield, tons/acre (30% DM) per year: 2007 = 23; 2008 = 22; 2009 = 21; 2010 = 21; 2011 = 25; 2012 = 22; 2013 = 22; 2014 = 23; 2015 = 26; 2017 = 26; 2018 = 26; 2019 = 21; 2020 = 25
Figure 4. Annual Average Yield, tons/acre (30% DM), 2007 – 2020

 

Annual Average Estimated Milk Yield, lbs/acre, 2007-2020: 2009 = 20000; 2010 = 21000; 2011 = 24000; 2012 = 22000; 2013 = 22000; 2014 = 23000; 2015 = 27000; 2017 = 24000; 2018 = 24000; 2019 = 18000; 2020 = 24000
Figure 5. Annual Average Estimated Milk Yield, lbs/acre, 2007-2020

 

Contacts for corn hybrids in 2020 trial

Company Contact Phone Email
Channel
DeKalb
Dynagro
Master’s Choice
Brevant
NK
Red Tail
Schlessman
Seedway
Seed Solutions Inc. Matt Blodget 207.768.1711 matthewblodget
@gmail.com
x
Nutrien Ag Solutions
(Office: 207.764.1860)
Brian McCleary 207.740.1911 (M) brian.mccleary
@nutrien.com
x x x x
Franklin Leavitt 207.944.1922 (M) frank.leavitt
@nutrien.com
x x x x
Randy Drown 207.650.0310 (M) randy.drown
@nutrien.com
x x x x
Todd Winslow 207.551.6806 (M) todd.winslow
@nutrien.com
x x x x
Fedco Seeds Alice Percy 207.426.8247 alice
@fedcoseeds.com
x x
Gold Star Feed and Grain, LLC Michele Bennett 207.754.0764 mbennett
@goldstarfeed.com
x x x
Emilee Robertson 207.399.6755 erobertson
@goldstarfeed.com
x x x
Andy Dugan 315.841.4167 adugan
@goldstarfeed.com
x
R. Keith Hines 207.717.9558 (M) hinesclan
@reagan.com
x
Warren Hood 207.754.1853 (M) hoodlah
@aol.com
x
Kent Nutrition Group Nick Richardson 207.317.0469 nicholas.richardson
@kentww.com
x
King’s Agriseeds, Inc. Rod Porter 607.227.0836 rodporter
@kingsagriseeds.com
x x
Master’s Choice Kyle Vosburgh 618.697.7031 kyle
@seedcorn.com
x
Nick Michaud 207.649.9786 michaudfarm
@gmail.com
x
Brevant Claude Fortin, area mgr 802.363.2803 claudefortin
@comcast.net
x
Northeast Agricultural Sales
(Office: 800.462.7672)
Justin Choiniere 802.535.9938 (M) justin
@neag.net
x x x
Paul Peters 207.441.6250 (M) pumpkinpaul1
@aol.com
x x x
Paris Farmers Union Jennifer Bailey 207.744.5598 jenb
@parisfarmersunion.net
x
Tim Donovan 207.744.5602 timdonovan.pfu
@gmail.com
x
R.E. Belanger & Son Rick Belanger 207.576.5845 veggiefarmerinme
@roadrunner.com
x
Seedway Taylor Putnam, area mgr 207.703.3046 putnam.taylor
@gmail.com
x x
Syngenta/NK Brendan Evans 607.302.0646 Brendan.evans
@syngenta.com
x