Corn hybrid selection | UMN Extension

Selecting the right hybrid is critical for profitable corn production. Growers that carefully consider their corn hybrid choices can manage risk and maximize quality, yield and profitability.

Selecting by crop use

Grain hybrids

How to select corn hybrids for grain production. Includes:

Selection criteria: Guidelines and factors to consider.
Breakdown by Minnesota region: Research on growing degree days (GDDs), planting date and date of first fall frost.
How relative maturity (RM) affects yield and grain moisture.
How to factor in agronomic traits, such as standability, insect resistance and emergence.
Results from on-farm trials in various Minnesota regions and throughout the Upper Midwest.

Silage hybrids

How to select corn hybrids for silage production. Includes:

Selection criteria: Guidelines and factors to consider.
Regional comparisons: Results of silage hybrid trials on yield and quality in various Minnesota regions.
How to evaluate hybrids based on silage quality indicators, such as milk per ton and milk per acre.
How to factor in agronomic traits, such as insect resistance, standability and tolerance to drought and disease.

Minnesota corn hybrid trials

Grain trials: Statewide results

Silage trials: Statewide results

Southern Minnesota trials

2016 corn hybrid variety trials

Minnesota corn silage field crop trial results

2015 corn hybrid variety trials

2015 Hybrid silage performance trials in Houston, Olmsted, Stearns and Otter Tail Counties

2014 corn hybrid variety trials

2014 Hybrid silage performance trials in Houston, Olmsted, Stearns and Otter Tail Counties
2014 Minnesota corn performance (statewide trials)
2014 Early maturity (90 to 95 day) corn hybrid variety trial (Waseca County)
2014 Mid-season (96 to 100 day) corn hybrid trial (Waseca County)
2014 Late maturity (101 to 105 day) corn hybrid trial (Waseca County)
2014 Conventional (98 to 104 day) corn hybrids (Waseca County)

2013 corn hybrid variety trials

2013 Minnesota corn performance (statewide trials)
2013 Hybrid silage performance trials in Houston, Olmsted, Stearns and Otter Tail Counties. Corn silage tables.
2013 Hybrid performance in a short growing season, to show how 82- to 102-day corn hybrids performed in Olmsted County (SE Minnesota) when planted in June
2013 Early maturity (90 to 95 day) corn hybrids in Olmsted and Waseca Counties (SE Minnesota)
2013 Mid-season (96 to 100 day) corn hybrids in Olmsted and Waseca Counties (SE Minnesota)
2013 Late maturity (101 to 107 day) corn hybrids in Olmsted and Waseca Counties (SE Minnesota)
2013 Conventional (92 to 106 day) corn hybrids in Olmsted and Waseca Counties (SE Minnesota)