What is Silage maize?
Silage is harvested before the kernels have dried, usually when whole-plant dry matter is around 30–35%; this generally coincides with the kernel milk line being between half and two-thirds of the way down. Silage cut too early stays low in dry matter, while silage cut too late is harder to compact and less digestible.
Important traits in silage varieties are total green and dry matter yield per area, plant height, foliage, ear share and stay-green through maturity.
Why does it matter when choosing seed?
Silage is the staple roughage that beef and dairy farms rely on all year. When choosing a variety for silage, look not only at grain yield but also at the total plant mass and the green foliage at harvest.
CasSeed varieties related to this topic
The relevant characteristics are listed on each variety’s technical sheet.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A late-maturity grain hybrid with fast dry-down and outstanding standability.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
A flinty red-grained hybrid with high protein and complete tip fill.
FAO 700 · CRM 120 · Grain and silage maize seed
A widely adapted grain hybrid with high test weight, suited to wider spacing.
FAO 700 · CRM 118 · Grain and silage maize seed
Complete tip fill, high test weight and a hybrid that rewards denser planting.
FAO 650 · CRM 117 · Grain and silage maize seed
Broad ears and a strong stalk — a mid-late hybrid for both grain and silage.
FAO 500–550 · Hybrid maize seed
Early, drought-tolerant and widely adaptable — the leader of its maturity group.
FAO 650–700 · Silage maize seed
265–300 cm plant height and 9–10 t/da silage yield; also suited to starch and feed industries.
Related terms
Grain maize
Grain maize is maize grown for its mature kernels and threshed with a combine harvester once the kernels have dried sufficiently.
Dry matter (DM)
Dry matter is what remains of a feed or plant sample once all its water has been removed, usually expressed as a percentage.
Stay-green
Stay-green is a plant’s ability to keep its leaves and stalk green and photosynthetically active for longer during grain fill and maturity.
Starch content
Starch content is the percentage by weight of starch in grain or feed; in maize it is the main source of energy.