Maize Handbook 2019
• Very wet and prolonged winter, with low soil temperatures. • Soils were wet making poor cultivation conditions • With the improvement in weather, soils quickly warmed up and crops managed to get away quickly • The weather soon turned conditions more difficult, with plants showing signs of drought stress • Early sown crops seemed to fair better than later drilled, which suffered in the dry soils and heat. The earlier drilled crops had more leaf cover which helped to conserve moisture • Plants that had poor rooting couldn’t stand up to the storms that came later in the season, this affected large plants with poor root structures Mesurol and Sonido will not be relicensed after this season and a use up period is currently unknown. Due to this uncertainty, we will not be holding a stock of treated seed, and we cannot accept returns of Mesurol or Sonido treated seed. To ensure that you receive your required treatment, we advise you order early. 2018 season review Maize 2019 Please find enclosed the maize varieties that we will be running with for the 2019 season, along with some information on growing maize, and considerations to be taken into account before selecting a variety. We feel that we have a variety to suit each and every customers’ site and growing conditions, as well as end uses.
Maize Agronomy Herbicides Pre-emergence
Broad leaved weeds and grass weeds – PDM (Anthem) Post-emergence (before buttress roots develop) Broad leaved weeds – mesotrione (Callisto) Thistles – clopyralid (Dow Shield) Docks and volunteer potatoes – fluroxypyr (Hurler) Grass weeds – nicosulfuron (Fornet) Fungicides Eyespot – pyraclostrobin (Comet 200)
Maize Handbook 2019 02
In addition to variety selection, being successful in growing maize is also dependent on following good agronomy and management practices. Optimal soil conditions at drilling are required to ensure good germination and plant establishment. Modern maize hybrids have a high degree of cold tolerance but should not be drilled before soils have reached an even temperature of 8°C for light soils, 10°C for heavy soils for 3-4 days, usually around mid-April to May.
Altitude Avoid high altitude sites which are often colder. As a rule, growers should consider 600 feet above sea level to be very marginal, and have a shorter growing season. However, individual fields above 600 feet with lighter, drier soil types that will warm up quickly in spring can be considered. Aspect Ideally any fields selected for maize production should face south, and be sheltered from wind. Avoid fields which are very exposed, or have heavy, poorly drained soils, and any locations which are known to suffer from frost. An established crop at 2-6 leaf stage can be set back 2-3 weeks by a late May frost. Avoid steep sloping fields to reduce the risk of nitrate leaching and soil erosion. Soil Depth To support its bulk and height, a maize plant requires a very extensive root system. Ideally,
crops should be grown where there is a good depth of topsoil. Where the soil is shallower root development may be impaired and produce stunted crops, with resultant lower yields. Crop maturity can also be delayed. The same effects can occur where soil is compacted. Seed should be sown on to a firm base at 3-6cm depth. Use deeper sowing for lighter, drier soils and shallower sowing for heavy sols. Despite this, drilling into moisture is more important than depth. Soil Analysis As maize is a valuable crop with a high demand for nutrients it is important to know the soil pH and available nutrient levels in order to apply the necessary lime and fertiliser to ensure good crops. Maize needs a pH of 5.8-7.0, but the optimal pH is 6.8. The field should be limed if the pH is 6.0 or lower.
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Weed Control Maize can suffer considerably from weed competition during the early growth stages. Ideally, a clean, weed-free site should be chosen. A weed control programme applying either pre-emergence and/or post emergence herbicides can be followed. Fitting in with the rotation Maize can be continually grown on the same ground, if the soil pH and nutrient levels are maintained. Early maturing varieties that are harvested in September can have a wheat or grass crop as a follow on. Maize can also serve as a break crop for cereals. Environmental Considerations Harvesting maize in wet conditions can lead to surface compaction. Maize stubble left uncultivated over the winter months can result in surface water runoff and nitrate leaching into waterways. There is also a particularly high risk of soil erosion where fields are sloping and have sandy soil. If your fields are of a higher risk then consider growing an early maturing variety aiming for an early harvest in better weather, a light cultivation after harvest will encourage rainfall ingression and reduce run off or establishing a cover crop to stabilise the soil surface may be a good option.
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Glossary
Maturity Class This reflects on how long it takes the plant to achieve 30-35% dry matter. An earlier variety will have a shorter growing season and a higher maturity class number. Alternatively an FAO number can be used, indicating the number of heat units required to reach maturity. The lower the number, the less heat units required. CWD Cell wall digestibility gives a value to the rest of the plant that isn’t starch – the leaves and stem (making up 45-55% of the plant). Usually expressed as a percentage, converted into a 1-10 number, each unit corresponds to a 1% increase in cell wall digestibility. This 1% increase can increase dry matter intake by 0.17kg/day. ME Varieties with high ME will be more digestible. This will pass through the rumen quicker increasing consumption and production levels. Lower ME levels take longer to process and are slower through the rumen. This is particularly important for rations with a high maize content. Starch This provides the link to cob maturity in the plant. Varieties that are ‘early’ will have more chance of reaching cob maturity, and more starch, than later varieties. High starch varieties are important in rations with low maize inclusion. Maize provides a good source of starch with less risk of acidosis than cereal starch as it has slower fermentation rates. Agronomic factor Total sum of factors – including early vigour; standing power; leaf senescence and eyespot. All values based on an average for both favourable and less favourable sites.
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07 Maize Handbook 2019
Reason bred by: Limagrain
Good early vigour, for rapid establishment that makes it suitable for short season growth. High yielding for an early variety and fills the clamp with quality forage. Treated with Starcover, Mesurol, Redigo M, Influx (can be treated with Sonido)
Maturity: MC 10 Agronomic factor: 26.5 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 7.5 50,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) 33.2% 17.6
ME (MJ/kg DM)
11.5 ES Picker bred by: Grainseed red by: Grainseed High yielding group 10 variety. Good combination of yield and earliness. Very good early vigour for fast establishment, making it suitable for difficult sites or late sowing. Maturity: MC 10 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 5.8
“The variety to use for the less favourable sites”
45,000 Kernel packs
Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
35.1% 16.5
11.4
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“A stable performer on challenging sites”
Kroft bred by: KWS Good early vigour for heavy soils or later drilling producing excellent silage. Can be treated with Sonido. Maturity: MC 10 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 6.3 50,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) 35.9% 16.3
ME (MJ/kg DM)
11.4
“Early starch lay down allows for an wider harvest window”
Remington bred by: Grainseed A robust variety with excellent early vigour and early cob ripening. Ideal for later drilling or early harvest. A very reliable performer that is tried and tested. Maturity: MC 9 Agronomic factor: 27 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 5.5
45,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield
(t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
31.3% *
17
11.1
*At harvest
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“Ultra early variety with a good harvest window“
Es Lovely bred by: Grainseed An early variety with a good harvest window, that has excellent early vigour for rapid establishment. Maturity: MC 9 Agronomic factor: 26.6 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 6.1 45,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield
(t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
33.5% 17.2
11.3
*At harvest
“A flexible, high performing variety”
Yukon bred by: Limagrain
Maturity: MC 9 Agronomic factor: 27.5 Recommended Use: Forage / Grain CWD: 5.8 50,000 Kernel packs The earliest grain variety available, with maximum yields and low moisture content. High starch content producing starch rich silage.
Starch % DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
*At harvest 34.7% *
17.7
11.3
Maize Handbook 2019 10
P7034 bred by: Pioneer
High starch content, from a digestible dent starch. Clamp last and feed first.
Maturity: MC 8 Recommended Use: Forage, Grain & Biogas Site Type: All locations 50,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield
(t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
34.5% 18
11.7
*At harvest
“Outstanding yield potential to
Aurelius bred by: KWS Consistently high dry matter yield across all sites. Balance between forage yield and energy content for a
high maize diet. Maturity: MC 8 Agronomic factor: 28.92 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 6.7 50,000 Kernel packs
rival later maturity hybrids”
Starch % DM Yield
(t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
32.7% 18.2
11.3
*At harvest
11 Maize Handbook 2019
“A benchmark for UK variety suitability and remains a popular choice amongst KWS hybrids”
Severus bred by: KWS A stable yield of dry matter with excellent early vigour on all site types. High starch and ME content. Maturity: MC 8 Agronomic factor: 28.1 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 6.5 50,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield
(t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
33.4% 17.5
11.4
*At harvest
Bonnie bred by: Grainseed Good digestibility with high yields. Above average for early vigour and eyespot scores. Limited availability. Maturity: MC 8 Agronomic factor: 29.7 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 9 45,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
31.5% *
18
11.5
*At harvest
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Emblem bred by: Limagrain Early cob maturity ensures a high starch content delivering an energy dense feed. Highly digestible promoting feed intake and feed performance. Maturity: MC 7 Agronomic factor: 28.7 Recommended Use: Forage & AD CWD: 7.9 50,000 Kernel packs
ME (MJ/kg DM)
Starch % DM Yield (t/ha)
32.6% * 17.6
11.4
*At harvest
Movanna bred by: DSV
A very tall plant with broad, steep leaves that has excellent early vigour.
Starch % DM Yield % Yield (t/ha) 29.5% 25.7% 19.01
Maturity: MC FAO 220 Site Type: All locations Recommended Use: Forage & AD 50,000 Kernel packs
and top yield for it maturity class” “Offers sound Eyespot resistance, standing power
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Spyci CS bred by: Caussade A great clamp filler with highly digestible forage.
Maturity: FAO 210 Agronomic factor: 27.1 Recommended Use: Forage & Grain CWD: 9 50,000 Kernel packs
Starch % DM Yield
(t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
28.9% 18.4
11.4
*At harvest
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Options after Maize • Follow maize with Wheat • Forage rye • Westerwolds • IRG • Cover crop (EFA sown by Oct 1st) • Stubble turnips/forage rape up until mid-September • Possibility of under sowing – IRG or Cocksfoot
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Soil Nutrient Requirements
To produce a good crop, maize plants need to grow very rapidly once they have germinated. They will do this providing the soil moisture and structure are good, the temperature is warm and nutrition is adequate. Maize can easily produce 50t/ha of fresh weight in a period of four months. To support this rapid growth it has a large demand for nutrients and any shortage will restrict early growth and final yield. Although established crops have a well developed root system, root growth is slow in the early days of the crop, especially if the weather is cold. Poor root growth means decreased uptake of nutrients and this can be a vicious circle as poor uptake of N and P can restrict root growth. For this reason, it is advised that a starter fertiliser is placed close to the seed, even when the bulk of the soil is adequately supplied with nutrients. If you are looking at fields that traditionally suffer from run-off or are prone to erosion, then consider a slightly earlier maize variety
(modern genetics often mean that you won’t lose yield and often gain some quality) and look to place a cover crop in to help scavenge nutrients and stabilise surface soils. This in turn can be used as a green manure, used for grazing or potentially harvested before the following crop. Maize is a very convenient crop on which to apply manure in the spring when there are limited opportunities for spreading on grassland. Be careful that applications do not exceed 250 kg/ha of total nitrogen to conform to the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and NVZ requirements. As maize is a valuable crop with a high demand for nutrients it is important to know the soil pH and available nutrient levels in order to apply the necessary lime and fertiliser to ensure good crops. When the maize field has been chosen a soil sample should be taken for analysis unless the field has been tested within the last 3-5 years. Bartholomew’s provide a complete soil analysis package which allows a tailored approach to nutrient management.
Fertiliser Requirement for Forage Maize
Index: SNS 1, 2P & 2K
Low Yield 9t DM/ha High Yield 15t DM/ha
Field Yield Nitrogen Phosphorus
30t/ha (12t/ac)
50t/ha (20t/ac)
100kg/ha 45kg/ha 130kg/ha
150kg/ha 65kg/ha 220kg/ha
Potash
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Option One: No Organic Manures
Maize Yield 40t/ha N P
K MgO SO 3
SNS Index
1
2
2-
2
-
Kg/ha Nutrient
125 55 175
20 60-70
Kg/ha of Product
Kg/N/ ha
Kg/P/ ha
Kg/K/ ha
Kg/MgO/ ha
Kg/SO
/
3
ha
Precision Drill
DAP
125
22.5 57.5 0
0
0
Top Dress before 3 Leaf Stage
14-0- 24+3MgO+ 11SO₃
730
102 0 175
22
80
Total Kg/ Nutrient/ha 124.5 57.5 175
22
80
Option Two: 40 t/ha of Organic Manure
Maize Yield 40t/ha N P
K MgO SO₃
SNS Index
1
1
1
2
-
Kg/ha Nutrient
125 85
205
20
60-70
Kg/ha of Product
Kg/N/ ha
Kg/P/ ha
Kg/K/ ha
Kg/ MgO/ha
Kg/ SO3/ha
Ploughed In Precision Drill Top Dress before 3 Leaf Stage
FYM
40,000
24 76 340
72
14.4
14-35-0 +5Mg+10SO₃
130
18 46
0
7
13
27N-9SO₃
307
83 0
0
0
28
Total Kg/ Nutrient/ha 125 122 340
79
55.4
21 Maize Handbook 2019
It is essential to take crop nutrition seriously when it comes to forage maize in order to optimise the yield. To do this it is important to know your soils. • Based on soil analysis, we are able to offer nutrient advice and produce a nutrient plan. • Bartholomew’s are able to supply a full range of fertiliser products, from straights to blends, mixed to your requirements. We have formulated products specifically for maize and offer a comprehensive range. Starter Fertiliser To be applied, where possible, down the spout and placed near the seed in order to get the maize off to the best start. • Bartholomew’s maize START UP (14N 35P +5MgO + 10SO 3 ) • DAP (18 N 46P) • TSP (46P) Main Fertiliser To be applied in the seedbed and worked in just prior to drilling. Alternatively it can be applied after drilling depending on practicalities and preference. • Bartholomew’s Maize FIX-ONE (10N 3P 28K + 5MgO + 8SO 3 ) • Bartholomew’s Maize FIX- TWO (14N 0P 24K + 3MgO +11SO₃) • Bartholomew’s Maize FIX – THREE (5N 12P 34K + 4MgO + 8SO₃)
Final Fertiliser To be applied, if needed, as atop dressing after weed control (no later than 3 leaf stage) • Nitram (34.5N) • 27N – 9SO₃ Please remember to observe all the relevant Cross Compliance guidelines that are now applicable. There are a number of different things to consider when planning nutrient applications to Maize. On the next page there is a step by step guide which can be followed to achieve accurate understanding of what your crop needs and how to achieve its requirements. Remember: This is only a guide and requirements and nutrient values may differ depending on specific situations. *NPK requirements derived from RB209. MgO & SO₃ requirements adapted from industry recommendations in RB209 (Fertiliser Manual) & PDA booklet (Potash Development Association).
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Step 1 - Decide on your YIELD POTENTIAL EXAMPLE: (Soil indices @ SNS 1, P 2, K 2- & Mg 2) Working on an average of 40 t/ha my maize crop requires... N P K MgO SO₃ 125 55 175 30 60 Step 2 - Choose your STARTER FERTILISER EXAMPLE: Maize Fix 3 (5N-14P-34K+ 4MgO + 8SO3) down the spout @ 360 kg/ha will apply Step 3 - Choose your MAIN FERTILISER depending on ORGANIC MANURE USAGE EXAMPLE: Planning on applying 25 m³/ha of cattle slurry in late spring and incorporating within 24 hours giving Step 4 - Choose your FINAL FERTILISER EXAMPLE: Looking at final requirements, a top up dressing of nitrogen should be applied no later than 3 leaf stage after weed control. 27N - 9SO₃ applied @ 312 kg/ha will supply the reaming balance. N 18 P K MgO SO₃ 50 122 14.5 29 N 23 P K MgO SO₃ 30 63 15 3
N 84
P 0
K 0
MgO SO₃
0
28
Actual nutrients applied:-
N
P
K
MgO SO₃
125
85
185
29.5
60
Following these guidelines carefully will ensure you get the most out of your maize crop and adhere to the legislation regarding organic manures and nitrogen.
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The varieties offered in this leaflet have been carefully selected to produce successful cropping over a wide range of soil types and growing situations. They represent a balanced mix of the very latest genetics along with some well established standards. If there is a particular variety that you would like to grow that is not listed, please do not hesitate to contact us and we would be pleased to discuss this with you.
Seed Department Tel: 01243 755620 Email: seed@bartholomews.co.uk
Visit our website at www.bartholomews.co.uk Follow us @bartsagri
Fisherton de la Mere Warminster 01243 755 665 fisherton@bartholomews.co.uk
Portfield Chichester 01243 784 171 agri@bartholomews.co.uk
Golden Cross Nr. Hailsham 01825 872 697 goldencross@bartholomews.co.uk
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