Silage

Value Beyond Just Bushels.

Silage growers have specific needs. And there is no company better positioned to understand those needs than Wyffels Hybrids.

At Wyffels, we focus on one crop. In one very focused geography. That means if you’re growing corn for silage, you can expect us to provide the information you need to make the best hybrid choice for your farm. We know when you’re growing corn for silage you need hybrid information tailored specifically for your unique demands.

Identifying the best hybrids for silage is a lot like selecting hybrids for grain, but with some extra considerations that make the process even more important. Hybrids still need to be able to handle stressful environments, adapt to multiple soil types and out-yield the competition. But with corn for silage you can’t stop there. You need hybrids that are highly digestible and provide high tonnage yield to optimize feed value.

That’s why Wyffels digs so deeply into each and every hybrid—to understand the sometimes hidden attributes and characteristics. This knowledge can unlock the value of specific products and help corn growers in all segments achieve more productivity and profitability. You can be sure of this: If you grow silage in the heart of the Corn Belt, Wyffels Hybrids is working to serve your needs.

Step 1: Find Hybrids That Fit Your Farm.

The unique demands of each silage grower will vary by farm, but one thing remains paramount: high yield.

The best silage hybrids must combine top-end yield of high quality-grain with high digestibility and feed value.

While different feed characteristics may be important to each grower, the first priority is choosing hybrids that fit your specific fields. Producing top-end yield is still the most important key to success. So, it’s important to take soil type, insect pressure and field history into consideration. Even if a hybrid has high scores for silage characteristics, if it’s placed in a situation that will limit its productivity, silage characteristics won’t be able to shine.

Work with your Wyffels Seed Representative to identify hybrids that best fit your soil, pest pressures and farming system. Then, refer to the silage characteristics chart provided here to target hybrids that fit your feed needs.

Step 2: Select Hybrids That Deliver High Feed Value.

Choosing the right hybrid is the first step to producing high-quality silage.

We test and retest products annually, and all across our marketing areas, to identify hybrids that combine the best feed quality and silage characteristics. New data is updated annually in November.

HYBRID FAMILYTons per Acre% Dry MatterMilk Lbs per TonMilk Lbs per AcreBeef Lbs per AcreAdj. Crude ProteinADFNDFTDN Milk2006
W1548RIB32.038.63,765.046,4399,3157.418.3832.8177.0
W2016RIB31.140.63,595.545,3928,6137.119.7034.5875.0
W250034.839.23,809.551,90110,4926.917.5331.3877.6
W3576RIB34.738.73,720.049,9689,3067.419.0533.2476.3
W419034.738.43,782.550,4059,0327.118.7933.1876.7
W6408RIB36.537.93,796.052,66710,5927.117.5331.7777.1
W682036.436.83,672.049,2969,7447.218.9132.9975.5
W6935RIB34.140.03,729.550,7089,9027.516.8730.5876.5
W745036.440.53,493.051,3819,2077.121.5537.1973.5
W7536DGRIB38.438.03,625.552,87910,1387.318.7532.8575.0
W769035.041.03,660.052,3689,9127.117.7531.7975.6
W787032.342.93,622.550,2319,3517.217.3131.2975.1
W7945RIB35.641.63,576.052,8949,7757.019.5734.3674.6
W8148RIB35.241.83,712.554,66810,2067.517.0631.4576.2
W8306RIB34.643.33,615.054,0469,9627.117.5531.8875.1
W893035.140.43,531.549,9719,1797.318.2832.1073.7

BEEF LBS PER ACRE:  Projected quantity of beef produced per acre with each hybrid family.

ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber):  Contains lignin, cellulose, and pectin.  Used to predict energy content.  Lower value is better.

NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber):  Total fiber content, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.  Lower value is better.

TDN MILK2006:  (Total Digestible Nutrients —Milk2006 evaluation process)  The sum of the digestible fiber, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate components of a feedstuff or diet.  Higher value is better.

FORAGE TEST: Dairyland Lab.  FORAGE SOURCE: Wyffels Research Micro-Strip Test Sites in Illinois and Iowa, 2022.   NOTE: Feed values may vary due to environmental conditions or specific crop management practices.

*Hybrids shown represent the entire genetic family.  Hybrids with the same base genetics will exhibit similar performance.