Corn Silage Hybrids Research Articles

Influence of a novel bm3 corn silage hybrid with floury kernel genetics on lactational performance and feed efficiency of Holstein cows

Dry matter intake, lactation performance, and chewing behavior of multiparous Holstein cows (n = 15) fed diets containing a novel bm3 corn silage hybrid with floury kernel genetics were compared with cows fed diets containing commercially available conventional and bm3 hybrids using a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods. Cows were housed in tiestalls, milked 3 times/d, and fed a total mixed ration containing 49.0% (dry matter basis) of (1) a conventional corn silage hybrid (CONV); (2) a brown midrib bm3 hybrid (BMR); or (3) a bm3 hybrid with floury kernel genetics (BMRFL). All diets contained 6.3% hay crop silage and 44.7% concentrate. Dietary nutrient composition averaged 32.7% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 26.3 starch (% of dry matter). Data were analyzed by ANOVA using the MIXED procedure in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The dry matter intake was greater for cows fed BMR (28.0 kg/d) compared with CONV (26.8 kg/d), whereas dry matter intake for cows fed BMRFL was intermediate (27.6 kg/d). Energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield was greater for cows fed BMR (50.3 kg/d) and BMRFL (51.8 kg/d) compared with CONV (47.2 kg/d). Milk fat yield was higher for cows fed BMRFL (1.87 kg/d) compared with CONV (1.74 kg/d) and BMR (1.80 kg/d). Milk protein yield was greater for cows fed BMR (1.49 kg/d) and BMRFL (1.54 kg/d) compared with CONV (1.36 kg/d). Milk urea-N was reduced for cows fed BMR (11.61 mg/dL) and BMRFL (11.16 mg/dL) compared with CONV (13.60 mg/dL). Feed efficiency (ECM/dry matter intake) was higher for cows fed BMRFL (1.87) compared with CONV (1.76) and BMR (1.79). Milk N efficiency was greatest for cows fed BMRFL (40.4%) followed by BMR (38.1%) and finally CONV (35.3%). Cows fed CONV chewed 5 min more per kilograms of NDF consumed than cows fed either of the BMR hybrids. No differences were observed among diets in apparent total-tract digestibility of NDF (58.1%) or starch (99.3%). Overall lactational performance was enhanced for cows fed diets containing both BMR and BMRFL hybrids versus CONV. In addition, feeding the BMRFL corn silage improved efficiency of component-corrected milk production and milk N efficiency compared with the CONV and BMR silages.

Response of common silage corn hybrids to inoculant application: fermentation profile, carbohydrate fractions, and digestibility during ensiling

Corn silage digestibility studies have focussed on genetically distant corn types. Conversely, silage additive studies monitored fermentation differences without discussing the subject of hybrid digestibility. How ensiling phases and additives affect silage quality in commercial corn hybrids has not been properly examined yet. As corn silage quality is a result of combined silage fermentation and digestibility characteristics, the aim of the study was to examine fermentation and digestibility responses to inoculant application in whole-plant corn silage of commercial hybrids intended for silage production in several time points during ensiling. Three corn hybrids grown under identical conditions in a split-plot field test were ensiled without inoculant application and with inoculant containing lactic acid bacteria and carbohydrate-degrading enzymes. Silages were sampled before ensiling, at the peak of the fermentation phase and during the stable phase. The fermentation profile, carbohydrate fraction, ruminal in vitro true dry matter digestibility, ruminal in vitro starch digestibility, and ruminal in vitro neutral detergent fibre digestibility were monitored. Although adding inoculant to silage improved its lactic acid production and decrease in pH, it did not affect its starch and fibre contents or their digestibility. Digestibility improved as ensiling continued, with the highest in vitro neutral detergent fibre digestibility and in vitro true dry matter digestibility values observed in the stable phase. Corn hybrids in this study differed in main fermentation characteristics, carbohydrate contents, and digestibility. These results suggest that even for commercial corn hybrids, the hybrid type is more important than inoculant for optimising silage characteristics and digestibility.

In situ rumen degradation of kernels from short-season corn silage hybrids as affected by processing.

The objective of this in situ study was to evaluate the rumen degradability of kernels from short-season corn hybrids grown for silage in Western Canada (Lacombe, AB) and determine whether decreasing kernel particle size would enhance ruminal degradability in a similar manner for all hybrids. The study was a completely randomized design with 3 beef cows (replicates) and a 6 (hybrid) × 3 (particle size) factorial arrangement of treatments. Kernels were processed to generate three different particle sizes: large (2.3 mm), medium (1.4 mm), and small (0.7 mm). Processed samples were incubated in the rumen for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h using the in situ method and degradation kinetics of DM and starch were determined. Effective rumen degradability (ED) was estimated using a passage rate of 0.04 (ED4), 0.06 (ED6), and 0.08/h (ED8). Hybrids exhibited a range in whole plant DM content (23.7 to 25.0%), starch content (15.9 to 28.1% DM), kernel hardness (21.9 to 34.4 s/20 g) and density (3.57 to 4.18 g/mL), and prolamin content (8.24 to 11.34 g/100 g starch). Differences in digestion kinetics among hybrids were generally more pronounced for starch than DM. The hybrids differed in starch degradability (P < 0.05), with earlier maturing hybrids having lower A fraction, lower k d, and lower ED, with hybrid effects on ED being accentuated with faster passage rate. Kernel DM content (r = -0.85, -0.87), hardness (r = -0.89, -0.86), and density (r = -0.84, -0.85) were negatively correlated with ED4 and ED8 of starch, respectively, due mainly to decreased k d of fraction B. Reducing the particle size of kernels increased ED of starch due to increased A fraction and k d of the B fraction. A tendency (P = 0.09) for hybrid × processing effects for ED6 and ED8 indicated that processing had greater effects on increasing ED of starch for earlier maturing hybrids. We conclude that short-season hybrids that mature early may have lower ED of DM and starch and would benefit from prolonged ensilage time. Kernel processing during silage making is recommended for short-season corn hybrids as a means of enhancing rumen availability of starch.

422 Young Scholar Presentation: The Effect of Corn Silage Harvest, Hybrid, and Inclusion Level on Performance in Growing and Finishing Beef Cattle.

422 Young Scholar Presentation: The Effect of Corn Silage Harvest, Hybrid, and Inclusion Level on Performance in Growing and Finishing Beef Cattle.

Prediction of genetic gains and correlations in corn hybrids for silage

Prediction of genetic gains and correlations in corn hybrids for silage

Physiochemical Characteristics and Molecular Structures for Digestible Carbohydrates of Silages.

The main objectives of this study were (1) to assess the magnitude of differences among new barley silage varieties (BS) selected for varying rates of in vitro neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (ivNDFD; Cowboy BS with higher ivNDFD, Copeland BS with intermediate ivNDFD, and Xena BS with lower ivNDFD) with regard to their carbohydrate (CHO) molecular makeup, CHO chemical fractions, and rumen degradability in dairy cows in comparison with a new corn silage hybrid (Pioneer 7213R) and (2) to quantify the strength and pattern of association between the molecular structures and digestibility of carbohydrates. The carbohydrate-related molecular structure spectral data was measured using advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy (FT/IR). In comparison to BS, corn silage showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of starch and energy content and higher degradation of dry matter (DM). Cowboy BS had lower feeding value (higher indigestible fiber content and lower starch content) and lower DM degradation in the rumen compared to other BS varieties (P < 0.05). The spectral intensities of carbohydrates were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with digestible carbohydrate content of the silages. In conclusion, the univariate approach with only one-factor consideration (ivNDFD) might not be a satisfactory method for evaluating and ranking BS quality. FT/IR molecular spectroscopy can be used to evaluate silage quality rapidly, particularly the digestible fiber content.

Evaluation of Barley Silage with Varying Ruminal In Vitro Fiber Digestibility on Lactation Performance and Chewing Activity of Lactating Dairy Cows in Comparison with Corn Silage

There is limited knowledge on the effect of barley silage (BS) with different ruminal in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (ivNDFD) on dairy cow performance and chewing activity. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of BS varieties selected for varying rates of ivNDFD on lactation performance and chewing activity of high-yield dairy cows in comparison with a new corn silage (CS) hybrid. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was applied in this study with four mid-lactating multiparous Holstein cows. The cows were fed diets containing 49% barley-based concentrate and 51% forage (dry matter basis). The results show that cows fed CS produced more milk (P < 0.05) and had greater (P < 0.05) feed efficiency than cows fed BS. Cows fed BS with relatively higher ruminal ivNDFD did not show significant difference from the cows fed other BS varieties in milk yield and total chewing activity. The preliminary results indicated that a univariate approach with only one factor consideration (ivNDFD) migh...

607 Effects of irrigation levels of corn silage hybrids on nutrient profile and in vitro disappearances

607 Effects of irrigation levels of corn silage hybrids on nutrient profile and in vitro disappearances

254 In vitro evaluation of short-season corn silage hybrids grown in central and southern Alberta, Canada, and harvested before or after frost: Nutrient content, degradability and enteric methane emission

254 In vitro evaluation of short-season corn silage hybrids grown in central and southern Alberta, Canada, and harvested before or after frost: Nutrient content, degradability and enteric methane emission

337 The evaluation of brown midrib corn silage hybrids and silage inclusion for finishing beef cattle

337 The evaluation of brown midrib corn silage hybrids and silage inclusion for finishing beef cattle

338 The evaluation of brown midrib corn silage hybrids in growing diets fed to beef steers

338 The evaluation of brown midrib corn silage hybrids in growing diets fed to beef steers

Aspectos produtivos, nutricionais e bioeconômicos de híbridos de milho para produção de silagem

O objetivo foi avaliar os aspectos produtivos, nutricionais e bioeconômicos de seis híbridos de milho para silagem: SG 6030 YG, LG 6036 PRO, LG 6038 PRO, BRAS 3010, PL 6880 e PL 1335. As maiores produções de biomassa e de grãos (p0,05) entre as silagens dos híbridos avaliados para valores de matéria mineral (MM), proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), hemicelulose e nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) possuindo médias de 1,78%, 6,03%, 28,86%, 27,11% e 67,42% da matéria seca (MS), respectivamente. Todavia os valores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) foram inferiores para os híbridos LG 6038 PRO, SG 6030 YG e PL 6880 (54,92%, 54,13% e 54,04%, respectivamente). Os híbridos que obtiveram maiores produções (LG 6038 PRO e LG 6036 PRO) também apresentaram melhores resultados bioeconômicos, com custos de R$ 48,56 e R$ 48,80 por tonelada de matéria natural (MN), respectivamente. Desta forma, recomenda-se os híbridos LG 6038 PRO, LG 6036 PRO e SG 6030 YG para produção de silagem na região centro-sul do Paraná.

Effect of different irrigation regimes and zeolite application on yield and quality of silage corn hybrids

Effect of different irrigation regimes and zeolite application on yield and quality of silage corn hybrids

Genetic divergence among corn hybrids and combining ability for agronomic and bromatological traits of silage.

We assessed the impact of genetic divergence and the ability to combine corn hybrids used for the production of silage on the agronomic and bromatological traits of silage quality. We evaluated 18 corn hybrids used as genitors in a circulant diallel scheme in which each genitor hybrid participated in 9 hybrid combinations, and evaluated 100 treatments [18 genitor hybrids, 81 diallelic hybrids, and a commercial check hybrid (DKB330)] in a triple lattice 10 x 10 experimental design in two environments in Brazil. Genetic variability was adequate among the corn silage hybrids, and we can recommend the use of genitors 2B688 and P30B39 for the formation of a base population for intrapopulational breeding. The P30P34 hybrid is the best for intrapopulational breeding when aiming for silage with high protein content, low fiber content, and higher in vitro digestibility. Interpopulational breeding directed at improving silage digestibility can use a combination of genitors P30P34 and AS1572, but AS1572 and P30K64 are the most recommended. Hybrids 2B688, P30P34, and SG6015 are considered the most genetically distant of the others hybrids, and have desirable combining potential; therefore, they are important genitors for the formation of new segregated populations for improving corn silage.

1442 In vitro starch and neutral detergent fiber degradability of corn silage hybrids

1442 In vitro starch and neutral detergent fiber degradability of corn silage hybrids

1416 A novel bm3 corn silage hybrid with floury kernel genetics improves lactational performance and feed efficiency in Holstein cows

1416 A novel bm3 corn silage hybrid with floury kernel genetics improves lactational performance and feed efficiency in Holstein cows

Silage production and bromatological constitution effects of corn hybrids in different environments

The aim of this study was to assess silage corn hybrids morphological, productive and bromatological parameters in irrigated and non-irrigated environmental conditions. The research was held in the 2010/2011 season, Campos Borges – RS. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial design, with two environments x eight corn hybrids, arranged in three replications. Analysis of variance showed environment x corn hybrids interaction significance for plant height, fresh and dry matter per hectare, dry matter percentage, mineral matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, lignin, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates. In the irrigated environment, hybrids showed higher plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf area, fresh and dry matter per hectare, silage dry matter percentage, pH, mineral material, neutral detergent fiber, cellulose and lignin. Non-fibrous and total carbohydrate levels were higher for the non-irrigated environment. Crude protein content was higher in the non-irrigated environment. In the irrigated environment HS1356 hybrid showed higher plant height, fresh and dry matter per hectare, mineral material and neutral detergent fiber. HT4 hybrid led to higher silage crude protein content in the irrigated environment.

Feasibility of bioplastic mulch systems to stimulate early seed germination and plant growth for corn silage hybrids

Beres, B. L. and Stevenson, F. C. 2015. Feasibility of bioplastic mulch systems to stimulate early seed germination and plant growth for corn silage hybrids. Can. J. Plant Sci. 95: 1229–1234. A study was conducted at Vauxhall and Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, in 2006 and 2007 to determine if covering corn (Zea mays L.) seed rows with bioplastic mulch accelerates growth and improves yield. Each site (location by year combination) included all factorial combinations of three seeding rates (64 000, 74 000, and 84 000 kernels ha−1), two Pioneer® corn hybrids [39J26 at 2350 corn heat units (CHU), high vigour; and Roundup Ready® 38K46 at 2775 CHU; low vigour], and seedbed preparation (1), bioplastic mulch covering each seed row, (2) same bioplastic system but removed 3 wk post-planting, or (3) no plastic covering. The use of a bioplastic mulch decreased days to anthesis and silking, and the removal of plastic often decreased days to anthesis a further day or two. Application and subsequent removal of plastic from corn rows always increased corn plant height relative to plots without plastic. However, the use of plastic without removal limited weed control, causing increased weed weight by 0.3–0.5 Mg ha−1 at the three sites. A yield reduction of 5–9 Mg ha−1 occurred with plastic mulch vs. no plastic applied or plastic removed at Vauxhall in 2006 (High CHU hybrid) and at Lethbridge in 2007 (both hybrids). Otherwise, yield was not affected with plastic applied vs. no plastic. Removal of the plastic offers accelerated plant growth and proper timing of weed removal, but the feasibility in a corn silage system at recommended sowing dates is questionable due to logistics at planting and increased costs. The system would provide earlier harvest dates for silage or grain systems, which lessens the risk of frost effects in fall.

Effects of Drainage Depths on Agronomic Characteristics, Yield and Feed Value of Silage Corn Hybrid in Paddy Field of Lowland

Sang Moo LeeDepartment of Animal Science, Kyungpook National University, Sangju-Si 742-711, KoreaABSTRACTThis study was carried out to investigate the growth characteristics, yield, and chemical compositions of corn hybrids for silage according to the drainage depths in a lowland paddy field. The experimental design was arranged in a randomized block design with four treatments and three replications. The drainage depths of the four treatments were 0cm, 20cm, 30cm and 50cm. Tip-filling degree, ear length, and ear circle were higher in the 30cm and 50cm treatments compared with the other treatments (p 0cm>50cm>30cm treatment. The fresh yield, dry matter yield, and TDN yield increased as the drainage depth increased(p 30cm>20cm>50cm treatment(p<0.05). Fructose, glucose, and sucrose were highest in the 20cm treatment. The total amino-acid(EAA+NEAA) content was the highest in the 50cm treatment. Based on these results, greater drainage depths increased the yield and feed value of silage corn.(Key words :Silage corn, Drainage depth, Yield, Nutritional components)

Effects of whole-plant corn silage hybrid type on intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation, and lactation performance by dairy cows through a meta-analysis

Understanding the effect of whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) hybrids in dairy cattle diets may allow for better decisions on hybrid selection by dairy producers, as well as indicate potential strategies for the seed corn industry with regard to WPCS hybrids. Therefore, the objective of this study was to perform a meta-analysis using literature data on the effects of WPCS hybrid type on intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and lactation performance by dairy cows. The meta-analysis was performed using a data set of 162 treatment means from 48 peer-reviewed articles published between 1995 and 2014. Hybrids were divided into 3 categories before analysis. Comparative analysis of WPCS hybrid types differing in stalk characteristics were in 4 categories: conventional, dual-purpose, isogenic, or low-normal fiber digestibility (CONS), brown midrib (BMR), hybrids with greater NDF but lower lignin (%NDF) contents or high in vitro NDF digestibility (HFD), and leafy (LFY). Hybrid types differing in kernel characteristics were in 4 categories: conventional or yellow dent (CONG), NutriDense (ND), high oil (HO), and waxy. Genetically modified (GM) hybrids were compared with their genetically similar non-biotech counterpart (ISO). Except for lower lignin content for BMR and lower starch content for HFD than CONS and LFY, silage nutrient composition was similar among hybrids of different stalk types. A 1.1kg/d greater intake of DM and 1.5 and 0.05kg/d greater milk and protein yields, respectively, were observed for BMR compared with CONS and LFY. Likewise, DMI and milk yield were greater for HFD than CONS, but the magnitude of the difference was smaller. Total-tract NDF digestibility was greater, but starch digestibility was reduced, for BMR and HFD compared with CONS or LFY. Silage nutrient composition was similar for hybrids of varied kernel characteristics, except for lower CP and EE content for CONG than ND and HO. Feeding HO WPCS to dairy cows decreased milk fat content and yield and protein content compared with the other kernel-type hybrids. Hybrids varying in kernel characteristics did not affect intake, milk production, or total-tract nutrient digestibilities by lactating dairy cows. Nutrient composition and lactation performance were similar between GM and ISO. Positive effects of BMR and HFD on intake and milk yield were observed for lactating dairy cows, but the reduced total-tract starch digestibility for these hybrids merits further study. Except for negative effects of HO on milk components, differences were minimal among corn silage hybrids differing in kernel type. Feeding GM WPCS did not affect lactation performance by dairy cows.