Why KWS FEEDMAIS feels built for demanding dairy farms

Reviewed: ad hoc news B2B & Pro desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-20, 06:05. Details in the imprint.

On a chilly morning in late June, KWS FEEDMAIS hybrids stand shoulder-high, leaves rustling, cobs filling fast - that is exactly the scene KWS Saat wants dairy and beef farmers to see when they walk their fields. The breeding program is tuned for energy-rich silage, strong stays-green and reliable standability in rough weather. Harvest is meant to feel less like a gamble and more like the payoff of a plan.

What KWS FEEDMAIS promises

KWS FEEDMAIS is not a single hybrid but a line-up of silage maize varieties tailored to feed value, energy density and stable yields for ruminants. Farmers can choose maturities that fit from cooler coastal regions to hotter continental sites, so the concept travels with the climate.

The focus sits firmly on starch-rich cobs and digestible plant mass. When chopped, the material should pack tightly in the clamp, ferment cleanly and later slide into the feed mixer as a consistent, energy-loaded base for high-yielding cows.

Energy, fibre and milk potential

Behind the marketing slogan are very concrete breeding goals. KWS FEEDMAIS hybrids are selected for high net energy for lactation, a favourable ratio of starch to fibre and good rumen digestibility, so cows can actually use the energy instead of merely chewing bulk.

Many farmers describe the cobs as impressively filled and the plants as noticeably green late into autumn. That prolonged stay-green phase helps starch accumulation and widens the harvest window, which matters when several hundred hectares wait for the chopper.

Field behaviour under pressure

In practice, KWS FEEDMAIS must cope with uneven rainfall, hot spells and occasional storms. The hybrids are bred for robust root anchoring and strong stalks, so lodged maize after a summer thunderstorm is the exception, not the rule, even on exposed fields.

Fast early vigour is meant to close the rows quickly. That shades out many weeds and protects the young plants against late cold snaps and wind. Farmers who walk their crops in May often comment on the even stand and clean, straight rows, which simplifies herbicide decisions.

How it fits into the ration

On the feed table, KWS FEEDMAIS silage is designed to be the backbone of the ration rather than a side note. Its energy density allows nutritionists to dial back concentrate levels slightly without sacrificing milk output, which can improve margin per litre of milk.

Good cob-to-stover balance reduces the risk that cows sort their feed, because cob pieces and chopped leaves resemble each other in size. The mix in the trough looks tidy, smells slightly sweet and is usually eaten quickly, especially in well-managed herds.

Planning, seed and agronomy

For farmers, KWS FEEDMAIS becomes a strategic piece of their forage plan. They choose maturities to stagger harvest dates and combine it with grass silage or wholecrop cereals to balance protein and energy in the clamp over the year.

Seed typically comes treated against early fungal diseases and wireworms, and KWS Saat supports the hybrids with detailed sowing and fertiliser recommendations. That includes target plant populations per hectare and hints on nitrogen timing to keep quality and yield aligned.

Company context and the share

KWS Saat positions KWS FEEDMAIS as one of its core B2B offerings for professional livestock farmers and feed producers, fitting neatly into a wider portfolio that spans grain, sugar beet and vegetable seed. All told, the silage focus underlines how closely the company is tied to long-term trends in animal nutrition.

Shares of KWS Saat (DE0007074007) trade in Germany on Xetra; recent quotations are published in euros by Deutsche Börse and major financial data providers.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.