Cultivation
Cultivation of maize for silage and haylage aims to maximize the energy value of biomass through the selection of hybrids with high fiber digestibility and optimal grain composition. Key factors include leafiness, the Stay Green effect, and the balance between yield and feed quality.
Mentioned in descriptions 13 089 varieties reference book.
When selecting a hybrid for silage or haylage use, the priority becomes the total energy value of the plant rather than just grain yield. Breeding of such hybrids is focused on improving digestibility by reducing the content of indigestible lignin and improving the structure of plant fibers. Distinguishing features include increased leafiness and the Stay Green effect, which allows plants to remain green longer, extending the optimal harvest window without quality loss.
The choice of variety directly affects the efficiency of fermentation in the bunker and the digestibility of feed in the animal rumen. For silage, hybrids with floury or semi-dent grain types are preferred, as they are easier to grind and more quickly digestible. High phytosanitary resistance to diseases such as boil smut, fusarium, and stalk rots is critically important, as plant infection significantly reduces the quality of the final feed.
Agronomic practices for silage crops allow for an increase in plant density by 15–20% relative to grain crops; however, excessive thickening leads to a decrease in the proportion of ears and a drop in the total energy of the mass. Optimal harvesting is carried out when the moisture content of the entire biomass reaches the 30–35% range. The economic efficiency of using such varieties is evaluated by indicators of fiber digestibility and digestible starch content, which determines livestock productivity.
Selection based on the description text, not official resistance ratings: such data is not available in registers. Mention indicates that the trait is discussed in the variety's sources; see the variety's profile for details on what is specifically stated.
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench · Sorghum
Patricio Gunning
Zea mays L. · Maize
Revol Benoit
Zea mays L. · Maize
Revol Benoit
Zea mays L. · Maize
Syngenta Crop Protection,CH
Zea mays L. · Maize
Philippe Flammant
Zea mays L. · Maize
PIONEER OVERSEAS CORPORATION
Zea mays L. · Maize
MAS SEEDS
Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. westerwoldicum Wittm. · Westerwolds Ryegrass
Universiteit Gent Afd. Plantenteelt
Zea mays L. · Maize
RAGT 2n
Zea mays L. · Maize
TAUCHER ROBERT
Zea mays L. · Maize
SAATBAU LINZ EGEN
Zea mays L. · Maize
PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL
Lolium perenne L. · Perennial ryegrass
DEUTSCHE SAATVEREDELUNG AG
Zea mays L. · Maize
Syngenta Seeds S.A.
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench · Sorghum
KWS, D
Zea mays L. · Maize
Olivier Vimont
Zea mays L. · Maize
KWS, D
Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. westerwoldicum Wittm. · Westerwolds Ryegrass
Limagrain Genetics Grandes Cultures SA (FR)
Zea mays L. · Maize
LEIPERT RAINER
Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp. italicum (A. Br.) Volkart · Italian ryegrass
FAL Station de Recherche Agronomique Federale (CH)
Lolium multiflorum Lam. · Italian ryegrass
PERRYFIELDS SEEDS LTD
Lolium multiflorum Lam. · Italian ryegrass
Prof. Dr. ir. Dirk Reheul c/o Universität Gent - Afd. Planten- teelt en Plantenveredeling
Lolium multiflorum Lam. ssp. italicum (A. Br.) Volkart · Italian ryegrass
Feldsaaten Freudenberger GmbH&Co.KG
Zea mays L. · Maize
SAATBAU LINZ EGEN