Cornell University, University of Vermont and seed companies collaborate to provide robust evaluation of corn silage hybrids

PRO-DAIRY, in collaboration with University of Vermont, continues to lead the Commercial Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation Program, providing valuable information on the rapidly changing options related to corn hybrid selection and addressing both agronomic and nutritional aspects of corn silage to the dairy industry.

Program collaborators leverage the hybrid trials as a platform for additional applied research projects. Recent studies that have allowed for the collection of additional data from the ongoing hybrid trials have addressed important issues related to soil health and crop performance, corn nitrogen use efficiency and the impact of emerging insect pests.

2024 New York and Vermont Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation Program

Image credit - Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

In 2024, the corn silage hybrid evaluation program received 60 entries from 13 seed brands. Hybrid evaluation at multiple environments helps in decision making and expands the reach of this type of data to more farmers. Cornell, UVM, and seed companies collaborate to provide this robust evaluation.

Full test results can be found here (PDF file) >> https://blogs.cornell.edu/varietytrials/files/2024/11/2024-NY_VT-Corn-Silage-Hybrid-Evaluation-Report-11.11.24.pdf

All hybrids were planted at two locations; the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, NY (Cayuga County) and Borderview Farm in Alburgh, VT (Grand Isle County).

The report offers insight into hybrid performance as influenced by growing environment, and when used in conjunction with other data and experience, can be a useful tool to evaluate how a hybrid may fit a farm's forage goals.

The New York and Vermont corn silage evaluation program is made possible with support from dairy producers, participating seed companies, Cornell University, the University of Vermont, and the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Seed companies were invited to submit hybrids into either maturity group (three locations per maturity group) for a fee.