GREEN+ Silage Maize Hybrids

In order to improve conservation and secure the nutritional value of fodder, the R&D department at MAS Seeds® has developed GREEN+ silage maize hybrids that are capable of securing each stage of production, from harvesting through storage to use as animal feed. Resulting from genetic work carried out over 15 years, the GREEN+ varieties have the ability to perform well in hot and dry conditions, to improve the quality of foliage and to extend the harvesting window by between five and ten days.

Harvesting silage maize at the optimal maturity

The number one objective of cattle farmers in Europe – harvesting at the right time to optimise quality and conservation in the silo.

Harvesting at between 32 and 35% dry matter offers a good balance between yield, feed value and conservation quality.

Silage maize hybrids are an important tool to help livestock farmers manage food security and efficiency in the face of changing climate conditions. Research shows that two-thirds of farmers do not currently harvest their silage maize at the optimal time. Choosing the right silage maize variety – like GREEN+ from MAS Seeds®  – can give you greater flexibility in terms of harvesting and a better feed quality for your silage.

What is stay-green?

Stay-green is defined as the genetic ability of a maize variety to delay the maturity of its leaves and stems, allowing it to extend its photosynthetic process.

Due to climate change and water stress, the optimal harvest window for silage maize is growing shorter and more unpredictable. Our seed research team at MAS Seeds have spent over 15 years examining the morphological and physiological factors of maize plants affected by drought.

This has led us to develop the Green+ line of maize hybrids, which have an improved ability to respond to stress, including a longer stay-green period. These genetic advances make it possible to ensure that each stage of silage maize production – from harvest to animal feeding to the quality of the silage – presents less risk and is more profitable for your farm.

Storage quality

3% MORE SILAGE WITH GREEN+

MAS Seeds® experts analysed more than 500 maize silos over two years across ten European countries. GREEN+ hybrids have shown a high level of soluble sugars at harvest, as well as a higher proportion of green parts, which consume more oxygen in the silo. This gives GREEN+ hybrids a quicker start with respect to fermentation and a faster pH drop in the silo. With GREEN+, losses are limited, with reduced bacterial impact, and the quality of the silage is better preserved. 

*GREEN+ Silo vs Classic Silo

Watch our experts talk about our GREEN+ innovation

We develop GREEN+ silage maize hybrids with a genetic ability to delay the maturity of leaves and stems.

Characteristics of GREEN+ hybrids

  • Good stay-green of the plant
  • More flexibility with respect to harvesting (+5 to 10 days)*
  • Better organisation of harvest planning
  • More soluble sugars in the plant 
  • Better conservation in silo (+3% forage gain)*
  • Quicker start with respect to fermentation and pH decrease
  • Slower evolution of dry matter in the grain
  • Higher valorisation of starch (+5% digestible starch)*
  • Grains are easier to crash

Discover our new GREEN+ hybrids

The GREEN+ portfolio offers several silage maize varieties of all maturities, developed by the R&D team as part of our silage maize research programme.

MAS Seeds® silage hybrids are tested in environments that farmers grow in, in order to provide consistent yields in good conditions and bad conditions. Several parameters are taken into consideration, such as yield potential, disease tolerance, drought tolerance and lodging tolerance. GREEN+ hybrids also have to provide energy through fibre and starch.

Hybrids to secure feed efficiency in a changing climate

MAS Seeds® silage maize R&D has studied the drought tolerance of plants for 15 years.
The GREEN+ portfolio is the result of this research.

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Research & Development

Would you like to learn how MAS Seeds® produces hybrid varieties that deliver high and secure top yields?

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Discover other innovations

The nutritional value of silage varieties is at the heart of our silage maize programme. MAS Seeds® has determined two different energy types for categorising silage maize varieties, depending on the dominant source of the energy.

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AGROSTART® and AGROSTART®+ are the complete applied seed solution based on a biostimulant formula, helping to get your maize crop off to the best possible start.

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Find a product

Discover a full range of maize products for any use (grain, silage or biogas), for organic agriculture and for temperate or tropical regions.

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Contact us

Our local teams visit farms and distributors on-site to give you the best advice for your location. Find your local MAS Seeds® consultant by visiting a country website or fill out our contact form here.

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