The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of brown midrib mutants on the lignin percentage and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) of corn (Zea mays L.) stover. F2 populations of corn carrying the brown midrib mutants bm1, bm2, and bm3, were grown under field conditions and harvested at 35 and 55 days post‐silking. Plants harvested at 35 days post‐silking were separated into several parts. Samples were analyzed for structural composition and in vitro dry matter disappearance using detergent solution and rumen fermentation techniques, respectively. Stover, harvested 55 days postsilking, contained 8.15, 8.07, 4.96, and 8.81% acid detergent lignin for genotypes bm1, bm2, bm3, and F2 normal, respectively. The IVDMD percentages were 49.3, 47.6, 56.3, and 46.2, respectively. At 35 days post‐silking, the lignin content was lower and the IVDMD higher in bm3 than in the other genotypes for all plant parts except the kernel. The structural composition and IVDMD of normal corn was similar to that of a commercial hybrid included in the study.Mutant inbred lines (Tr background) of bm1, bm3, bm2, bm3, and bm4 were also evaluated. Mutants bm3 and bm1bm3 were lowest in lignin and highest in IVDMD. In both the inbred and F2 populations, structural components other than acid detergent lignin did not differ appreciable among the genotypes.Since lignin limits the digestion and utilization of fibrous feeds by ruminant animals, the possible use of brown midrib mutants for improving the nutritional quality of corn stover and silage appears promising. Mutant bm3 appears to have the most potential for this purpose.