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BREEDING AND MANAGING THE IDEAL CORN SILAGE HYBRID: A RETROSPECTIVE AND DIRECTION FOR PROGRESS

Predicting animal performance and relating it to improvements in corn silage quality whether from breeding or management is complex. In numerous studies, differences in fiber and digestibility translate into differences in animal performance. The optimum silage composition can vary depending on the type of cow it's fed to (growing heifer versus milking cow, production level, stage of lactation, etc.) and the other components of the ration. Estimates of animal performance responses can be obtained through forage analysis. The University of Wisconsin, along with many other universities, evaluates corn hybrids for silage yield and quality characteristics. Relatively small differences in corn silage fiber, starch and digestibility translate into large differences in predicted animal performance. In Wisconsin, the ranges among hybrid entries for crude protein, ADF, NDF, starch, in vitro digestibility and NDF digestibility are relatively narrow. However, the range among hybrids within a trial for estimated milk per acre averages 14,700 kg ha -1 pounds, while the range among hybrids for milk per ton is 275 kg Mg -1 . Consistent performance regardless of environment is important for making hybrid selection decisions for silage quality. Repeatable differences for whole plant fiber and digestibility have been observed in high and low quality checks. Fiber concentrations were lower for hybrids selected for low NDF. In vitro true digestibility was greater for low NDF hybrids. NDF digestibility (CWD) and crude protein content was not different between low and high NDF hybrids. This paper will provide a retrospective of our experiences developing the Wisconsin corn hybrid evaluation program for silage.