# Silage maize

> Silage maize is maize grown so that the whole plant (stalk, leaves and ear) can be chopped, fermented in airtight conditions and stored as animal feed.

- Source page: <https://casseed.com.tr/en/glossary/silage-maize/>
- Türkçe sürüm: <https://casseed.com.tr/sozluk/silajlik-misir/>

_This document is a plain-text version of the page for AI tools and readers; the source page holds the current, authoritative information._

## In detail

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.

## Related terms

- [Grain maize](https://casseed.com.tr/en/glossary/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)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/glossary/dry-matter/): 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](https://casseed.com.tr/en/glossary/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](https://casseed.com.tr/en/glossary/starch-content/): Starch content is the percentage by weight of starch in grain or feed; in maize it is the main source of energy.

## Related CasSeed varieties

- [TCS-906 (FAO 700)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/tcs-906/): A late-maturity grain hybrid with fast dry-down and outstanding standability.
- [TCS-1634 (FAO 700)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/tcs-1634/): A flinty red-grained hybrid with high protein and complete tip fill.
- [TCS-8716 (FAO 700)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/tcs-8716/): A widely adapted grain hybrid with high test weight, suited to wider spacing.
- [TCS-8808 (FAO 700)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/tcs-8808/): Complete tip fill, high test weight and a hybrid that rewards denser planting.
- [KALE (FAO 650)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/kale/): Broad ears and a strong stalk — a mid-late hybrid for both grain and silage.
- [PAJDAŞ (FAO 500–550)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/pajdas/): Early, drought-tolerant and widely adaptable — the leader of its maturity group.
- [ADA-523 (FAO 650–700)](https://casseed.com.tr/en/products/ada-523/): 265–300 cm plant height and 9–10 t/da silage yield; also suited to starch and feed industries.