Author: Will Stallard
Planning Unit: Lincoln County CES
Major Program: Forages
Plan of Work: Management and Marketing
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
As of December 2015 Kentucky was home to 652 dairies with 30 of those in Lincoln County. Many of these dairies rely on corn silage as the main part of their feed ration because of the yield and quality of the forage. A group of UK Cooperative Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources and UK Specialists see the need from local leaders to analyze quality and yield data between varieties for their producers. In 2017 there were 4 locations for growing and analysis of 21 different hybrids by 10 different seed companies. Three of the locations, Green Co., Mercer Co., and Mason Co., planted hybrids in a randomized block design replicated 3 times. Lincoln Co. hosted a 4th location to explore using large plots for this trial. The hybrids were planted in strips consisting of 4 rows of each hybrid with checks between every 2 hybrids. What we learned from this location was we need to explore large plots more before we change all locations. All of hybrids are grown by local farmer cooperators with supervision from their local agent and the corn silage hybrid trial committee. The crop is harvested where yield and quality data can be used to compare each hybrid. This data is put into UK Corn Silage Hybrid Performance Report, 2017 (PR-726). This publication is used to aid producers to make a decision in selection of the best corn silage hybrids available for their farming operation. The results are listed online and used by farmers throughout Kentucky and the United States.
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