2011 BMR Special Testing Program
PDMP and PSU
Testing Protocols

Objective: The objective of this testing program is to assess the yield and quality of BMR hybrids relative to two conventional hybrids using two different approaches to estimating forage quality.

Hybrid Maturity: Group 2 = 101 - 110 Days Relative Maturity

Locations: Tests will be located on production dairy farm fields on PDMP cooperator farms strategically located in Centre and Blair counties. A backup site will be planted at the Penn State research farm in Rock Springs farm. This will be used if any problems occur at the other sites.

Planting: All hybrids will be replicated three times at each location. Plots will be planted in four row plots 17.5 feet long using a vacuum precision planter set to drop 33,500 seeds per acre. All plots following corn will receive a granular insecticide at planting. This test will also be planted in a field previously cropped to corn.

Harvesting: Harvesting will take place when the silage is near 65-70% in each maturity test. Sub samples will be taken from each plot and analyzed for typical corn silage nutrient levels including the 24 hour digestibility and NDF digestibility (NDFD) data using wet chemistry.

Data Reporting: Silage yields and dry matter concentrations at harvest will be reported for each location and also averaged over all locations. Least significant differences and coefficients of variation will be reported for all variables. Forage quality traits with include crude protein, NDF, NDFD (24 Hour) Starch, NEL, and lignin. Milk/ton and milk/acre will be calculated using the University of Wisconsin Milk 2006 spreadsheet using 24 hour NDFD data. Data will be reported by November 15 on the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences website (http://cornandsoybeans.psu.edu/). Seed treatments and biotech traits will be reported with each entry. Two year performance tables will also be developed to show the average performance of hybrids over two years.

Entry Forms & Payment: Entry forms and payments are due to the PDMP office by March 7, 2011.

Seed: Seed (4 lbs, medium round or medium flat) should be sent via UPS, Federal Express, or similar carriers, to the following address: Attn: John Shaffer, AG SEED BLDG. Corn Breeding Laboratory, Fox Hollow Road, University Park, PA 16802 by March 14, 2011.