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2015 Maine Corn Hybrid Performance Trial
Rick Kersbergen 342-5971 / 800-287-1426
Caragh Fitzgerald 622-7546 / 800-287-1481
Funding provided by local seed companies and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Special thanks to John Stoughton and the farm crew at Misty Meadows Farm for hosting the trial and helping with planting and harvesting.
A Member of the University of Maine system
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In 2015, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension conducted a hybrid silage corn evaluation program in cooperation with local seed dealers, Maine Farm Days and Misty Meadows Farm, who hosted the trial in Clinton, Maine. The purpose of the program is to provide unbiased performance comparisons of hybrid corn available in the central Maine area. It is important to remember that the data presented are from a single test at one location. Hybrid performance data from additional tests in different locations, and often over several years, should be compared before you make conclusions. TESTING PROCEDURE The experiment was planted at the Misty Meadows Farm in Clinton on May 15, 2015, using a six-row corn planter. The predominant soil type was Woodbridge fine sandy loam. Prior to planting, 10,000 gallons per acre of liquid cow manure was applied to the field and incorporated by harrowing. Five gallons per acre of liquid starter fertilizer (6-21-4) was applied at planting. Lumax (3 qt/A) was applied as a pre-emergent herbicide. Status (5 oz/A) was applied as a post-emergent herbicide for bindweed control. Quilt fungicide (16 oz.) was applied at topdress along with 75 lbs of N. Three replications of 36 hybrids were planted in a randomized complete block design. Plots were 75 feet long and 15 feet wide with 6 rows on 30 inch centers. The hybrids used were nominated and donated by seed companies. Hybrids had relative maturity days ranging from 79 to 104 (Table 3). We targeted a planting density of 32,000 plants/acre. The experiment was harvested on September 28, 2015. At this time, silage harvest was underway on commercial farms. A light frost had occurred at the experiment site, and a killing frost had occurred in some scattered locations in the region. The plots were harvested using a six-row corn chopper. Corn from each plot was loaded into a mixer wagon with scales. Grab samples from one replicate of each treatment were sent overnight to the Dairy One Laboratory in New York for analysis for moisture and quality using wet chemistry. Growing degree days were calculated using temperature data collected by a temperature sensor located in the shade at a location in an adjacent town. Total growing degree days (86/50) were 2347 for 2015, the highest since 2007 (Table 1). Table 1. Growing degree days, Maine corn silage variety trial, 2007-2015.
Year Location Growing degree days (86/50)
2007 Clinton 2086 2008 Clinton 1840 2009 Leeds 1908 2010 Leeds 2120 2011 Clinton 2287 2012 Clinton 2160 2013 Clinton 2027 2014 Clinton 1933 2015 Clinton 2347
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A total of 16.19 inches of rain was recorded in Waterville, Maine, by the National Weather Service between May 15 and September 28, 2015 (Table 2). Table 2. Monthly rainfall, May 15 – September 28, 2015, Waterville, Maine. Rain (inches) May 1.99 June 6.20 July 2.07 August 4.62 September 1.31
Total 16.19 Analysis of variance was conducted to identify differences between hybrid silage yield (corrected to 30% dry matter) and expected milk yield (milk per ton of dry matter multiplied by dry matter). Linear regression analysis was conducted to see the effect of relative maturity on silage yield, expected milk yield, % dry matter, and all quality 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 (milk lbs/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 3. Analysis of variance showed that there were significant differences among the hybrids tested for both yield (p < 0.0001) and expected milk yield (p < 0.0001). In Table 3, hybrids followed by the same letter are statistically similar (Tukey’s HSD). There was a statistically significant linear correlation between relative maturity and yield (30% dry matter) (Figure 1) and also between relative maturity and expected milk yield (Figure 2) (p=0.0314 and p<0.0001, respectively). Table 3 includes data from one BMR (brown mid-rib) varieties. BMR varieties need to be evaluated for their higher digestibility and enhanced animal intake and performance if rations are balanced correctly. When comparing these varieties, producers should make sure they look at NDF digestibility (NDFD, % of NDF). Producers should segregate BMR varieties at harvest to utilize this feed with cows for specific rations, including pre-fresh, fresh and high producing groups.
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Table 3. Varieties and yield, 2015. Sorted by estimated milk yield.
Hybrid RM Yield (30% DM)
(tons/acre)* Estimated milk
yield lbs/acre*,** Dyna-Gro D32SS56 92 29.3 ab 32880 a Channel 197-68 STXRIB 97 28.3 a-d 31708 ab Master's Choice MC 4880 98 30.0 a 31316 ab Mycogen T12302VH 94 28.4 a-d 29671 a-c Pioneer P9789AMXT 98 28.7 a-d 29633 a-c Master's Choice MC 4050 90 27.3 a-d 29260 a-d DKC 43-48 RIB 93 28.3 a-d 28692 a-e Dairyland DS-6693 93 25.8 a-f 28641 a-e Channel 192-09 VT3PRIB 92 27.7 a-d 28511 a-e Mycogen TMF2Q413 96 26.9 a-e 28447 a-e Mycogen TMF2R197 85 26.9 a-e 28333 a-e Pioneer P0157AMX 104 25.8 a-f 28303 a-e Dairyland HiDF-3188-6 88 28.0 a-d 28226 a-f Dyna-Gro D37VC60 97 27.1 a-d 27969 a-g Seedway SW 3754RR 90 25.5 a-f 27896 a-g NK N 18q 3011a 84 26.6 a-e 27473 a-h Dyna-Gro 21VC68 81 27.8 a-d 27313 a-h NK N 28d 3111 90 25.7 a-f 26733 b-i DKC 39-27 RIB 89 25.7 a-f 26674 b-i Dyna-Gro D25VC45 85 27.6 a-d 26491 b-i Channel 189-03 VT2PRIB 89 29.0 a-c 26453 b-i Schlessman SX9016T 3111 90 25.5 a-f 26277 b-i DKC 36-30 RIB 86 27.1 a-d 25938 b-i Dairyland HiDF-3290-9 90 26.7 a-e 25559 b-i NK N 29t 3111 92 26.7 a-e 25272 c-i Schlessman SX856 AGT 85 24.9 a-f 24874 c-i Seedway SW 3600GENSS(RIB) 92 23.0 d-f 24555 c-i Channel 187-42 VT2PRIB 87 24.0 b-f 24205 c-i NK N 20y 3122 85 25.9 a-f 23980 c-i Schlessman 861L 86 24.0 b-f 23646 d-i Blue River 21L90 85 23.3 c-f 23531 d-i Master's Choice MC 3220 82 23.0 d-f 22830 e-i Mycogen 2D095 80 23.0 d-f 22039 g-i Mycogen F2F379 95 20.0 f 21924 hi Seedway 3937.bmr 94 20.3 ef 21572 f-i Seedway SW 1964GT 79 24.1 a-f 21099 i
*Means followed by the same leter are not statistically different (Tukey's HSD). Results that are in bold and underlined are statistically equal to the highest-yielding variety. ** Expected milk yield is calculated by multiplying the dry matter yield by the calculated milk lbs/ton. Calculated milk lbs/ton is a projection of potential milk yield per ton of forage dry matter, based on forage digestibility and energy content.
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0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 Yiel
d, c
orre
cted
to 3
0% D
M (t
ons/
acre
)
Relative Maturity (days)
Figure 1. Effect of Relative Maturity on Corn Silage Yield, Corrected to 30% DM (2015)
Yield (tons/acre) = 16.42 + 0.1075 * RM p = 0.0314
r2 = 0.04375 n=36
0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
Estim
ated
Milk
Yie
ld (l
bs/A
)
Relative Maturity (days)
Figure 2. Effect of Relative Maturity on Estimated Milk Yield (2015)
Expected milk yield (lbs/A) = 1609 + 279.0 * RM p < 0.0001 r2 = 0.218
n=36
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Quality Table 4 lists select quality results for the 2015 trial. Dry matter decreased as relative maturity increased, as shown in Figure 3. There was a significant linear effect with an r2 of 0.446. In 2015, most varieties had above-optimum dry matter due to the warm weather late in the season. The range of NDFom digestibility (30 hr) is shown in Figure 4. This digestibility is an important characteristic when choosing varieties. In 2015, the trialed varieties varied from a low of 56.7 to a high of 73.3. This range corresponds to a difference in 700 pounds of potential milk yield per ton of dry matter. When you couple digestibility, potential milk yield and tons of dry matter per acre, we see a range of potential milk per acre from a high of 32,880 pounds to a low of 21,099 pounds. This difference could be a change in income on your farm of over $100,000 based on 50 acres of corn silage and a milk price of $18 per cwt! Obviously, these are theoretical differences, but they should be considered when choosing what you might plant for 2016!
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5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110
Dry
Mat
ter (
%)
Relative Maturity (days)
Figure 3. Effect of Relative Maturity on Dry Matter (2015)
Optimum silage moisture range (30-34% DM)
Dry matter (%) = 78.89 - 0.4460 * RM p < 0.0001 r2 = 0.446
n=36
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56.0-57.9 58.0-59.9 60.0-61.9 62.0-63.9 64.0-65.9 66.0-67.9 68.0-69.9 70.0-71.9 72.0-73.9
Num
ber o
f Hyb
rids
NDFD 30 hr
Figure 4. Digestibility Values (NDFD), Number of Hybrids
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Table 4. Varieties and select quality results, 2015
Hybrid RM Dry
Mat
ter
(%)
Cru
de
Prot
ein
(%D
M)
AD
F (%
DM
)
% A
sh-
free
ND
F O
rgan
ic
Mat
ter
(%D
M)
NFC
(%
DM
)
NEL
(M
cal/l
b)
IVTD
30hr
(%
DM
)
ND
FD30
hr
(% o
f N
DF)
Blue River 21L90 85 37.9 8.8 24 38.9 44.7 0.82 88 70 Channel 187-‐42 VT2PRIB 87 41.2 8 19.9 34.6 50.7 0.86 90 70 Channel 189-‐03 VT2PRIB 89 46 7.7 19.6 32.9 52.7 0.84 89 66 Channel 192-‐09 VT3PRIB 92 37.4 7.9 21.4 36.8 49.2 0.83 88 67 Channel 197-‐68 STXRIB 97 35.6 7.6 21.4 37 49 0.85 90 72 Dairyland DS-‐6693 93 36 8.8 21.1 35.7 48.2 0.86 89 70 Dairyland HiDF-‐3188-‐6 88 41.3 7.9 22.2 37.4 48.1 0.84 89 71 Dairyland HiDF-‐3290-‐9 90 39.3 7.9 24 39.7 45.9 0.8 87 66 DKC 36-‐30 RIB 86 41.7 7.5 22.8 38.8 47.2 0.82 87 66 DKC 39-‐27 RIB 89 40.8 7.9 18.2 33.5 52 0.87 90 71 DKC 43-‐48 RIB 93 38.3 7.5 22.9 38.6 47.4 0.82 87 66 Dyna-‐Gro 21VC68 81 43 8 20.5 35.8 49.7 0.85 89 69 Dyna-‐Gro D25VC45 85 40.6 7.1 23.5 39.4 46.9 0.8 86 64 Dyna-‐Gro D32SS56 92 38.1 8.4 19.9 34.3 50.3 0.89 91 74 Dyna-‐Gro D37VC60 97 38.4 7.7 21.4 36 50.4 0.84 88 67 Master's Choice MC 3220 82 40.4 7.8 23.1 39.2 39 0.77 89 76 Master's Choice MC 4050 90 38.1 8 20.1 35.2 50.5 0.85 89 69 Master's Choice MC 4880 98 36.6 7.8 22.5 36.1 49.1 0.83 87 64 Mycogen 2D095 80 43.1 8.1 22.7 37.7 46.3 0.84 88 68 Mycogen F2F379 95 31 8.7 25.6 42.4 41.9 0.81 91 78 Mycogen T12302VH 94 35.4 8.5 22.7 37.9 46.3 0.81 87 65 Mycogen TMF2Q413 96 31.6 7.8 23.9 38.1 47.2 0.81 87 65 Mycogen TMF2R197 85 38.1 9.1 21.6 37 45.6 0.84 89 71 NK N 18q 3011a 84 40.8 8.1 19.2 34.9 50.3 0.86 90 70 NK N 20y 3122 85 41.8 8.1 24.5 40.4 44.3 0.79 86 64 NK N 28d 3111 90 39.1 7.6 19.9 35.1 50.1 0.85 90 70 NK N 29t 3111 92 44.5 8.1 18.9 31.2 54.3 0.87 90 68 Pioneer P0157AMX 104 32.2 7.6 21 35 51.2 0.85 89 69 Pioneer P9789AMXT 98 35.6 8.9 17.7 30.4 52.2 0.83 88 61 Schlessman 861L 86 31.6 9 26.4 40.6 42.3 0.79 87 68 Schlessman SX856 AGT 85 42.4 8 21.8 37.5 48 0.84 89 72 Schlessman SX9016T 3111 90 39.9 7.9 19.7 34.5 50.9 0.86 89 69 Seedway 3937.bmr 94 34.8 8.7 26.4 45.1 39 0.77 89 76 Seedway SW 1964GT 79 45.5 7.6 24.2 41.7 44.4 0.78 86 66 Seedway SW 3600GENSS(RIB) 92 36 7.8 22 37.5 47.9 0.83 88 68 Seedway SW 3754RR 90 33.3 8.3 22.9 39.2 45.1 0.82 87 68
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CONCLUSION With good growing conditions in the fall, 2015 was a good year for corn growth. With the most growing degree days recorded since 2007, we did see a significant linear relationship between relative maturity and yield corrected to 30% dry matter. This relationship has been significant but weak (low r2) in six of the nine years of the replicated trial. The increase amounts to an increase of 0.97 – 1.9 tons per acre yield for every 10-day increase in relative maturity (Table 4). Table 4. Increase in yield (30% dry matter) and expected milk yield for each 10 days increase in relative maturity as estimated by linear regression (2007 – 2015).
Tons/acre yield (30% DM) increase per 10 days maturity
Pounds/acre milk yield increase per 10 days maturity
2007 1.1 . 2008 0.97 . 2009 No relationship 91 2010 1.9 2890 2011 2 3280 2012 1.1 1480 2013 No relationship No relationship 2014 No relationship No relationship 2015 1.08 2790
In 2015, there was also a significant linear relationship between relative maturity and expected milk yield. Again, these relationships have been weak, but consistent in the past, with an increase of 91 – 3280 pounds per acre of milk expected for each 10-day increase in relative maturity (Table 4). 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 choosing longer season hybrids for higher yield. Yield responses to longer maturity was greatest in the highest growing degree years, and it was not present under average growing conditions. 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. In most years, earlier-maturing hybrids showed optimum or close to optimum dry matter content at harvest time. Later-maturing hybrids tend to show somewhat lower than recommended dry matter content at harvest. In 2015, nearly all hybrids had higher dry matter than optimum due to the warm late season weather. Once again, there was a significant linear relationship between relative maturity and dry matter, with later-maturing hybrids being wetter at harvest. 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 sending a chopper and weigh wagon so we could finish harvesting after an
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equipment breakdown. 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.
