Maize 2021
Maize 2021 Please find enclosed the maize varieties that we will be running with for the 2021 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. 2020 season review After a very wet winter leading into a wet spring, timing of drilling was crucial. Maize under plastic managed to get off to a great start, making the most of the available moisture, and the benefit of the warmth. It wasn’t too long ago, back in May where there were concerns of frost damage to the crop – this seems a very distant memory after the hot weather throughout the summer! Reports of very different maize growth have been coming in, all dependent on the time of drilling. Variable soil conditions, rainfall and sunshine hours, have also led to vast differences in crop quality and harvest date. Making a good harvest plan is crucial, particularly in years like this with many crops differing in localised areas. Maize Agronomy Herbicides Pre-emergence Broad leaved weeds and grass weeds – PDM (Anthem) Increased range of broadleaved weeds including Charlock & Black Bindweed. – PDM + Dimethenamid -p (Wing P) Post-emergence (before buttress roots develop) Broad leaved weeds – mesotrione (Temsa) or pyridate (Diva) Thistles – clopyralid (Dow Shield) Docks and volunteer potatoes – fluroxypyr (Hurler) Grass weeds – nicosulfuron (Fornet) Dock control – Prosulfuron – (Peak, Kibo)
Fungicides Eyespot – pyraclostrobin (Comet 200) Drilling Tips & Considerations
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. 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
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. 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. Lover 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 percentage. 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.
Name: Augustus Breeder: KWS As Augustus is an early variety, it makes an ideal choice for a short maize season. It also has good ME and starch levels. FAO: 160 Agronomic factors: 30.1 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 59.5
Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
36.3
16.5
11.8
50,000 Kernel packs
Name: Reason Breeder: 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.
Maturity class: 10 / FAO: 160 Agronomic factors: 28 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 59.8 Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
32.9
17.4
11.8
50,000 Kernel packs Name: ES Picker
Bred 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 class: 10 Recommended Use: Forage
DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM)
Starch %
35.1
16.5
11.4
45,000 Kernel packs
Name: Kroft Bred by: KWS A reliable variety that does particularly well in challenging conditions.
Maturity class: 10 / FAO: 160 Recommended Use: Forage Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
35.3
16.4
11.4
50,000 kernel packs
Name: Artikus
Bred by: KWS
Artikus is a new variety, featuring good yields, good starch and ME values, whilst ideal securing an early harvest. FAO: 160 Agronomic factors: 27.4 Recommended Use: Forage and AD CWD: 59.4 Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 35.0 17.6 11.8 50,000 kernel packs
Name: Yukon
Bred by: Limagrain
The earliest grain variety available, with maximum yields and low moisture content. High starch content producing starch rich silage. Maturity class: 9 / FAO: 170 Agronomic factors: 28 Recommended Use: Forage and grain CWD: 57.9 Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 34.8 17.3 11.6 50,000 kernel packs
Name: Remington Bred by: Grainseed A very reliable, tried and tested variety. Robust with excellent early vigour
and cob repening. Maturity class: 9 Agronomic factors: 27.2 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 57.7 Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
31.8
17.0
11.4
45,000 kernel packs Name: Autens
Bred by: KWS Autens delivers an impressive combination of bulk DM and higher grain content for added starch percent. Outstanding early vigour across all sites. FAO: 170 Recommended Use: Forage, grain and AD CWD: 58.9 Agronomic factors: 33 Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 32.4 17.8 11.6 50,000 kernel packs Bred by: Limagrain A new maize variety that benefits from reliable performance with good digestability and a high starch content. A very early variety.. Maturity class: FAO 170 (MC8) Recommended Use: Forage and AD Name: Equity
Rel. Starch
DM %
ME (MJ/kg DM)
100
32.5
11.6
50,000 kernel packs
Name: Ballade Bred by: Grainseed Good balanced silage, ideal for when a high forage intake is required. Good cob maturity with consisten performance. Bred by: Grainseed An early variety with a good harvest window, that has excellent early vigour for rapid establishment. Maturity class: 9 Agronomic factors: 27.1 Recommended Use: Forage CWD: 58.6 Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 33.8 17.3 11.6 45,000 kernel packs Name: ES Lovely
Maturity class: 8 Site type: All sites Recommended Use: Forage
Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
31.8
18.1
11.4
45,000 kernel packs
Name: P7034 Bred by: Pioneer High starch content, from a digestible dent starch. Clamp last and feed first. Big bulky plant with good yield, starch and ME content. FAO: 180 Site type: All locations Recommended Use: Forage, grain and AD Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 36.1 16.8 11.9 50,000 kernel packs
Name: P7326
Bred by: Pioneer
High rumen degradable starch with early vigour. Suitable for both favourable and less favourable sites. FAO: 180 Recommended Use: Forage, Grain & AD
Starch %
DM Yield (t/ha)
ME (MJ/kg DM)
34.6
15.9
11.5
50,000 kernel packs
Name: Emblem Bred by: Limagrain Early cob maturity ensures a high starch content delivering energy dense feed. Highly digestible promoting feed intake and feed performance. Maturity class: 7 / FAO: 190 Agronomic factors: 28.7 Recommended Use: Forage and AD CWD: 58 Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 32.6 17.6 11.4 50,000 kernel packs Name: Legolas Bred by: Grainseed A big bulky crop, with good standing power. Does well in most conditions, including less drought prone areas. Maturity class: 7 Agronomic factors: 24.7 Recommended Use: Forage and AD CWD: 56.8 Starch % DM Yield (t/ha) ME (MJ/kg DM) 24.8 18.3 11.0 45,000 kernel packs
Nutrition Working example A 45t/ha maize crop at 30% DM will yield 13.5t DM/ha. Losing only 1% of this DM equates to 135kg DM. In a diet containing 25kg/cow/day of fresh maize silage, 135kg DM would feed 18 cows. At 30litres/cow and 28ppl, this is the equivalent to losing £151.20/day. Over a 180-day winter this equates to a potential loss of £27,216. DM losses will increase the further it deviates from the 30-33% recommended range. Achieving silage stability and maximising nutritional value is thus of paramount importance and can be achieved with the aid of Pioneer 11C33. Harvesting for Maize Silage To achieve the best nutritional results maize should be harvested at the optimum dry matter (DM) content of 30- 33%. To determine whether the crop is at the correct stage for harvesting, a visual assessment of the ‘Milk Line’ can be made. The ‘Milk Line’ distinguishes between the hard, yellow starch part of the grain and the soft, white, (milky) starch part. As the grain matures, the milk line
descends towards the centre of the cob and the proportion of hard, yellow starch increases. To achieve 30-33% DM maize silage, it is recommended to harvest when the milk line is halfway down the grain.
If the crop is harvested when the milk line is only ¼ of the way down, estimated silage DM will be 28-30%. Below 30% DM; Lactobacillus bacteria must generate higher levels of lactic acid to stabilise the silage, to achieve this they must consume more sugars which results in a nutritionally poorer and more acidic silage Furthermore; Clostridia bacteria prefer these wetter environments and instead
of lactic they produce butyric acid; this is a weaker acid which prevents silage stabilisation enhancing the risk of silage deterioration and DM losses. Harvesting with a milk line ¾ of the way down will produce a DM silage of over 35%. Clamp consolidation is burdened when maize is harvested above 33% DM which will facilitate oxygen contamination causing silage deterioration and
DM losses. Furthermore, the higher proportion of hard, yellow starch will reduce its digestibility and may pass directly through the animal.
Options after Maize Optimization of ground for production of extra forage, whilst retaining nutrients, boosting soil organic matter and reducing soil erosion over winter. • Follow maize with a winter cereal • Forage rye • Very hardy, capable with withstanding sever frost • Ideal for grazing or conservation • IRG • Quick to establish • High yields for grazing or conservation • Westerwolds • Similar characteristics to IRG • Good at reducing nitrogen leaching over winter • Cover crop • Choices can be limited by cooler soil temperatures • Winter hardy species should be chosen • Stubble turnips/forage rape • Latest sowing up to mid-September • Possibility of under sowing… Under sowing: • Under sow at 4-5 leaf stage • Depends on time of drilling: early sown crops will need a less competitive species i.e. Fescues. Later sown crops will need a species that will establish rapidly i.e. IRG • Sow at a rate of 15-19kg /ha • Drill rather than broadcast to increase success of establishment • Financial and non-financial benefits, including nutrient savings and extra forage
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 50 t/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.
Fertiliser requirement for Forage Mazie
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. Option one: No organic manures
Option two: 40t/ha of organic manure
Crop Nutrition 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 im- portant to know your soils. • Based on soil analysis (which Bartholomew’s can provide), we are able to offer nutrient advice and produce a nutrient plan for you. • Bartholomew’s can supply a full range of fertiliser prod- ucts, from straights to blends, mixed to your requirements. Bartholomew’s have formulated products specifically for maize and offer a comprehensive range for 2021.
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. • Phosphate pluS 12.5N - 32P - 4K + 2MgO + 5CaO + 14.5SO3 • DAP 18N - 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. • 9.5N - 7P - 26K + 2MgO + 5.5CaO + 16SO3 • 12N - 0P - 21K + 2MgO + 4.5CaO + 18SO3 • 5N - 10P - 28K + 2MgO + 6CaO + 17SO3 Final Fertiliser To be applied, if needed, as a top dressing after weed control (no later than 3 leaf stage) • Urea Limus 46% • Nitram (34.5%) • 27N - 9SO3 Please remember to observe all the relevant Cross Compliance guidelines that are now applicable. There are several different things to consider when planning nutrient applications to Maize. It’s also very good practise to do One or Two Tissue analysis of the growing crop to make sure all the nutrient are in the correct balance & obvious deficiency are addressed to give you the
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).
Speak to one of our qualified advisors today Tel: 01243 755620 Email: info@bartholomews.co.uk Visit our website at www.bartholomews.co.uk Follow us @bartsagri
FishertondelaMere Warminster 01243755665 fisherton@bartholomews.co.uk
ChichesterFoodPark Merston 01243784171 agri@bartholomews.co.uk
GoldenCross Nr.Hailsham 01825872697 goldencross@bartholomews.co.uk
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