Dmytro Kovalchuk, Product Consultant, “KWS-Ukraine”

When choosing corn hybrids modern farmers are paying more attention to their purpose: planting for grain or silage etc. How to choose hybrids best suited to a farm operation? What traits of hybrids should be considered? How will our choice affect profitability in general? We will try to answer these questions.

First of all it should be emphasized that grain and silage hybrids have some differences. Corn silage hybrids are designed to maximize yield per hectare. That’s why they have high forage yields and high digestibility, low fiber levels, and stover that is highly digestible compared to corn hybrids. They are remontant tall plants with broad leaves and large ears. Corn grain hybrids are stunted and usually have one ear. Leaves and stems dry completely during harvesting.

Read more details in the magazine “Milk and Farm” № 1 (20), February, 2014.