GREEN+ Silage Maize Hybrids

To improve the conservation and to secure the nutritional value of the fodder the R&D department of MAS Seeds® has developed GREEN+ silage maize genetics capable of securing each stage of production, from harvest through the silo to animal feed. Resulting from breeding work carried out over 15 years, the GREEN+ varieties have the genetic capacity to perform well in hot and dry conditions, to improve the quality of foliage, and to extend the harvest window from 5 to 10 days.

Harvesting silage maize at the optimal maturity

The no.1 objective of cattle breeders in Europe – Harvest at the right time to optimize quality and conservation in the silo.

Harvesting between 32-35% of dry matter is the good compromise between yield, feed value and quality of conservation.

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

What is stay-green?

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

In the face of climate change and drought stress the optimal harvest window for silage maize grows shorter and more unpredictable. Our seed research team at MAS Seeds® have spent over 15 years examining the morphological and physiological factors of the maize plant 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 silo – is lower risk and more profitable for your farm.

Storage quality

+3% MORE SILAGE WITH GREEN+

MAS Seeds® experts analyzed more than 500 maize silos over two years in 10 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 of fermentation and a faster pH drop in the silo. With GREEN+, losses are limited with less impact of bacteria activities and the silage quality is better preserved

*GREEN+ Silo vs Classic Silo

Characteristics of GREEN+ hybrids

  • Good stay-green of the plant
  • More flexibility to harvest +5 to 10 days*
  • Better organisation of harvest planning
  • More soluble sugars in the plant 
  • Better conservation in silo +3% forage gain*
  • Quicker start of fermentation and pH decrease
  • Slower evolution of grain dry matter
  • 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 in our maize silage research program.

MAS Seeds® silage hybrids are tested in environments that farmers grow to provide consistent yields in good conditions and poor conditions considering several parameters such as yield potential, disease tolerance, drought tolerance and lodging tolerance are taking into account. GREEN+ hybrids also have to provide energy through fiber and starch.

Hybrids to Secure Feed Efficiency in Changing Climate

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

GREEN+
Silage Maize | Ultra Early

GREEN+
Silage Maize | Early

GREEN+
Silage Maize | Early

GREEN+
Silage Maize | Early

Research & Development

Discover other genetic innovations

WATERLOCK labeled grain maize hybrids offer a superior ability to thrive under drought stress conditions.

HELIOSMART varieties have the highest genetic tolerance to three main sunflower diseases: Mildew, Sclerotinia and Verticillium, and thus secures the yield.

NORUST sunflower varieties secures the harvest by its highest genetic tolerance against black rust.

SAFETY+ winter oilseed rape hybrids safeguards the yield in cold climates with better early vigour and strong development before winter.

Find a product

Discover a full range of maize portfolio for all uses grain, silage or biogas, for organic agriculture, for temperate or tropical regions.

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.