Content and digestibility of fiber and starch affect the nutritive value of corn silage. The objective was to evaluate lactation performance, digestion, and N balance of cows fed silage of hybrids (Limagrain, Brazil) selected for grain (3040) or silage (6030, 3055). Hybrids were cultivated in duplicate (0.8 ha/plot) and harvested 133 d after seedling at the 3/4 milk line stage of maturity. Productivity (ton of DM/ha) and kernel vitreousness (% of endosperm) were: 22 and 59.6 for 3040; 22 and 49.5 for 6030; 18.5 and 62.3 for 3055. Composition of silages 3040, 6030, and 3055 were 42.6, 41.2, 46.9% DM; 44.4, 41.4, 42% NDF; 41.7, 44.5, 43.1% starch; 27.3, 29.7, 22.2% of starch <4.75 mm; 26.9, 29.2, 26% particles <8 mm. After 143 d of storage, silages were individually fed to 18 Holstein cows (135 ± 50 DIM) in 3 × 3 Latin squares (28-d periods). Diets contained (% of DM): 49% silage, 20.8% NDF from silage, 32.9% NDF, 21% starch from silage, 30.1% starch. Hybrid did not affect DMI (24.6 kg/d. P = 0.54). Milk yield (kg/d) was lower (P < 0.05) for 3055 (35.9) than 3040 (37.2) and 6030 (37.1). Protein and casein secretions were higher for 6030 than 3055 (P < 0.05). The proportion of consumed N going into milk (29.1%), urine (39.1%), feces (28%), or retention (3.8%) did not differ (P ≥ 0.16). Urea-N in blood and milk were reduced by 6030 (P < 0.05). Total-tract starch digestibility (% of intake) was lower (P < 0.05) for 3055 (87.2) than 3040 (91.8) and 6030 (93.3). Total-tract NDF digestibility (43.5% of NDF intake) did not differ (P = 0.73), nor did ruminal fermentation profile (P ≥ 0.22). Rumination and ingestion behaviors did not differ (P ≥ 0.25). The proportion of daily intake in the morning was increased and the proportion in the afternoon was reduced by 3055 (P < 0.05). Hybrid 3055 induced the highest preferential intake of particles <8 mm (128% of predicted intake. P < 0.05) and more refusal of particles >19 mm than 6030 (64 vs 85% of predicted intake. P < 0.05). Lactation performance was reduced by hybrid 3055, the one with highest vitreousness of the endosperm and lowest kernel processing score and starch digestibility. The digestibility of NDF did not explain differences among hybrids.