Tips for Growing BMR Corn Silage

Ashburn, VA (20146)

For the best corn silage production results, follow these best practices for making silage with BMR hybrids.

1. Grow proper maturities:

2. Choose your best fields:

Plant where organic material is highest and soil has the best water-holding capacity.

3. Fertilize properly:

Additional fertilization may be beneficial.
Consider increasing potassium to 5 percent to 20 percent to improve water regulation and stalk strength.
Additional nitrogen (N) will increase protection where leaf disease may be an issue. Sidedress N for maximum efficiency.

4. Understand optimum planting population:

Ideal BMR plant populations vary by geography, soil type and hybrid. Consult your Mycogen Seeds representative for local guidelines.
In most environments, plant BMR hybrids at low to moderate populations.
Highly productive, irrigated fields can support populations as high as 38,000 plants per acre.

5. Protect roots:

Select hybrids with the leading insect protection traits, including SmartStax®, Herculex® RW Rootworm Protection or Herculex XTRA Insect Protection, to protect from corn rootworms or secondary insects.
Consider a soil insecticide or seed treatment for non-insect-traited BMR hybrids.
Avoid compaction and other conditions that might hamper root development.

6. Control European corn borer:

Hybrids with SmartStax and Herculex I Insect Protection protect silage corn against European corn borer (ECB) damage.
Plant early to reduce ECB susceptibility.