The effect of hybrid and plant population on yield, metabolisable energy content and nitrogen percentage of forage maize were investigated in a trial which included seven maize (Z. mays L.) hybrids established at 75 000, 100 000, and 140 000 plants/ha. Biomass yield and its distribution among morphological components were measured in all plots, while metabolisable energy content and nitrogen percentage of each component were measured in the 100 000 plants/ha plots only. There were significant hybrid differences in yield and yield distribution among components. Yields ranged from 15 800 to 20 700 kg DM/ha, the greatest contribution coming from grain, followed by stem, cob, and leaf. Plant population had no effect on dry matter partitioning, but forage yields declined significantly at the lowest population. Crop metabolisable energy content ranged from 10.3 to 11.3 MJ/kg DM with significant differences among hybrids, but was not correlated with forage yield or the relative contribution to yield of any component.