Parameter identification for further utilization as selection criteria to generate new forage maize cultivars is of the utmost importance in the breeding programs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic characteristics, yield, and nutritional value of experimental maize hybrids with forage potential in the Central Highlands of Mexico. The experiment was conducted in Texcoco, State of Mexico. Treatments consisted of 11 maize cultivars planted in irrigated conditions and allocated in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results indicated differences (P<0.0001) for most variables. Earliness varied from 84 to 109 days, and plant height from 190 to 282.9 cm. In addition, cultivars with Tropical and subtropical germplasm showed an increasing incidence of common rust from 8.3 to 92%. The yield of green forage varied from 37.1 to 80 t ha-1, while the yield of dry matter was from 12.8 to 24.8 t ha-1. In conclusion, the productive potential of hybrids with Tropical germplasm is limited due to their susceptibility to rust. In contrast, hybrids with germplasm from the Highlands showed an outstanding performance. These hybrids were V-107, H157-E, H-161, and H-166E.