2007 Silage Corn Hybrid Variety Performance Strip Trial

Powell Research and Extension Center

 

Mike Killen, UW Powell Research and Extension Center;

Sandy Frost, UW Cooperative Extension Service

 

            The University of Wyoming, Powell Research and Extension Center in cooperation with local seed corn dealers conducted a study designed to evaluate the corn grain yield and quality characteristics of ten varieties. Varieties were planted in 0.64 acre strips and managed using the best management practices for the soil and growing conditions at the University of Wyoming Research and Extension Center in Powell, Wyoming during 2007.

 

Materials and Methods

            The soil was a Garland clay loam (fine, mixed, mesic; Typic Haplargid) and had a cropping history of mixed grass and alfalfa hay (2006-1995).  The study area was prepared for planting by fall plowing, disking, roller harrowing and leveling.  Fertilizer was applied on 14 May, at the rate of 120 pounds N and 50 pounds P2O5 per acre, in the form of urea (46-0-0) and diammonium phosphate (11-52-0). On 15 May, eight corn varieties were established in plots 12 rows by 1280 ft feet using a John Deere Maximerge 7200 row crop planter with double disk openers set at a row spacing of 22 inches. Seeding depth was 1.5 inches, and the seeding rate was 40,000 plants per acre. Stand counts were taken on 22 June.  Weeds were controlled with one post application of glyphosate (Roundup) + AMS broadcast at 1 quart per acre on 9 June.  A sidedress application of UAN 32% was applied at a rate of 100 pounds N per acre on 20 June.  Furrow irrigations were 21 May, 29 June, 10 July, 18 July, 28 July, 13 August, and 27 August.  Plots, 7.3 ft (4 rows) by 1260 ft, were harvested using a John Deere silage chopper equipped with a 2-row head on 24 September.    Samples were collected and sent to Dairyland Laboratories for forage quality analysis.  The results are presented in Tables 1and 2.

 

 

Table 1.   Agronomic Performance of Silage Corn Hybrid Varieties at Powell Research and Extension Center, 2007.

 

Variety Company Day GDU Dry Matter Yield(1) Stand
    Relative
 Maturity		   % tons/acre
 @70%		 plants/acre
9248015(DKC52-40) Dekalb 102 2550 32.8 31.6 39805
364TS Croplan 97 2450 35.2 31.2 40993
663627(DKC55-82) Dekalb 105 2630 27.5 31.0 39805
4664RB Croplan 102 2440 32.8 29.3 38617
DS93RR2 Croplan 93   33.8 28.5 40399
L7H69Bt/RR/RW Golden Harvest 100   33.4 27.8 39805
L-6H08RR/RW Golden Harvest 95   30.5 26.3 39805
3824TS Croplan 98 2460 29.3 26.1 37429
Average       31.9 29.0 39582
(1)Yield is reported @ 70% moisture content        

 

 

Table 2.  Forage Quality Characteristics of Silage Corn Hybrid Varieties at Powell Research and Extension Center, 2007.

 

Variety Company Day Moist CP ADF NDF NDFD IVTDMD Starch
    RM % % % % % % %
663627(DKC55-82) Dekalb 105 72.5 8.76 30.57 50.57 58.35 78.94 21.24
9248015(DKC52-40) Dekalb 102 67.2 7.94 27.41 45.32 55.52 79.84 29.46
3824TS Croplan 98 70.7 7.86 29.68 50.56 50.77 75.11 22.56
364TS Croplan 97 64.8 7.55 28.01 47.64 57.12 79.57 27.25
DS93RR2 Croplan 93 66.2 8.88 29.97 50.03 57.19 78.58 21.24
4664RB Croplan 102 67.2 8.13 29.04 48.82 50.02 75.60 25.16
L-6H08RR/RW Golden Harvest 95 69.5 7.79 27.24 46.48 55.16 79.16 28.54
L7H69Bt/RR/RW Golden Harvest 100 66.6 7.63 28.41 47.59 50.18 76.29 26.51
Average     68.1 8.07 28.79 48.38 54.29 77.89 25.25

 

Results and Discussion

     Cool weather following planting delayed development for several weeks.  The remainder of the growing season was excellent.  A frost, 29 deg F, on 9 September killed the upper leaves of the plants.

 

Acknowledgements and Contacts

     The authors wish to thank the corn seed companies for their help and cooperation with this project.   Cooperators included Curt Droogsma, Croplan Genetics; Joe Bridges, Simplot(Golden Harvest); Doug Ryerson, Monsanto(Dekalb) and John Hjelvik, Hjelvik Seeds(Dekalb).