Leafy Floury Corn: More Energy from Fiber

1. Scalability and adaptability

• Seeding rate: Leafy Floury hybrids should be sown at a specific rate of between 70,000 and 80,000 seeds per hectare, depending on the variety. Adhering to this seeding rate yields comparable or even higher yields than those of conventional varieties on the market.
• Yield and nutritional value: When planting density is maintained, yields match or exceed those of market controls, and the nutritional values confirm their suitability for all ruminants.
• Variety range: In 2022, Semental offers seven varieties covering different maturity stages (maturity indices ranging from 240 to 650), suitable for all regions of France. This range is expected to double by 2024, offering farmers even more choices.

2. Nutritional benefits

• More fiber, less starch: Leafy Floury hybrids provide more fiber and less starch than conventional corn, without reducing the overall energy content. This promotes better rumination and improved animal health.
• Improved digestibility: Trials show that floury corn has superior degradability of starch and fiber, with rumen starch utilization 15 to 20 points higher than that of dent corn.
• Less acidogenic: Their energy profile reduces the acidogenic nature of the diet, which is beneficial to the health of ruminants.

3. Practical Recommendations

• Harvest: It is recommended to harvest these hybrids when their dry matter (DM) content is between 30% and 32% to maximize their nutritional value.
• Gradual adoption: Farmers can start by testing one or two varieties on a portion of their farm, then expand their use based on the results obtained.

4. Comparison with the competition

The comparison chart shows that Leafy Floury hybrids stand out for:

• A 2.5-point higher NDF content.
• Improved digestibility of fiber (dNDF) and non-starch organic matter (dMONa).
• A slightly lower starch content, but this is offset by better degradability and equivalent energy (UFL).

In summary: Leafy Floury hybrids offer a scalable, high-performing alternative to conventional corn, with significant nutritional and agronomic benefits. They can be adopted gradually, based on the farm’s needs and the results observed on-site.