Among silage corn issues, vitreousness generates more noise than it deserves, says Dr. Bill Mahanna, coordinator of global nutritional sciences for Pioneer Hi-Bred. This is the hard starch on the outside of the corn kernel that develops late in maturity, contributing to high test weight. Bill says research based solely on dry corn at 15.5% moisture is not relevant to high-moisture and silage corn. From processing to digestibility, he cites comprehensive Pioneer research involving multiple hybrids and feeding methods to put vitreousness in perspective.

Dr. Bill Mahanna on vitreousness (4:45 min MP3)

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