Corson Maize 2023

ANDREW MACKY

WELCOME TO THE 2023 CORSON MAIZE DAIRY EXPORTER

Graeme Austin National Sales Manager

What an incredibly challenging time farmers and growers have been faced with over the first four months of 2023 in the North Island. The issues in those areas affected by Cyclone Gabrielle will be with them for months, if not years, to come in terms of tidying up the damage and restoring farms to pre-storm conditions.

The climate has not only been devastating regarding the damage from flooding, but we have also received excessive wind at times and ideal conditions for leaf disease to impact maize crops. During the season we were all concerned with potential damage that may have occurred from the recent incursion of Fall Army Worm (FAW) across the country. By all accounts there has been some damage from FAW, but nothing compared to the widespread impact of leaf disease, mainly Northern Leaf Blight, across the North Island. Normally we would only see impact from this leaf fungus in Northland and parts of the Waikato and Bay of Plenty but there have been significant accounts of damage across the whole North Island this year, which is unheard of.

In my 25 years of involvement in the maize industry I have never experienced a year so challenging.

At Corson Maize we have been very pleased with how our hybrids have performed in these challenging conditions. There will always be crops that are affected due to the severity of the damage but in most areas we have seen our maize hybrids perform well, whether it was standing well after large wind events or the ability to tolerate significant leaf disease challenges.

For many years in our product development programme we have focused not only on introducing hybrids that yield well, but also ones that can withstand the changing climatic challenges whether it be wind events, drought or plant disease

issues. This past season has certainly proved that we have been on the right track.

You might remember that last year we also introduced a new naming system for our hybrids so that we could align the maize hybrid genetics from the multiple companies within a standard naming system. The response has been positive to this change. Thank you all for your feedback. It does take time to get used to the new names, however if you haven’t quite got these sorted yet we have included a table on the next page to remind you of the old maize hybrid names and their new names.

Each year we try to make further improvements in our offering. This year we have decided to move to a different bag size. Previously we have sold all our seed in bags containing 80,000 kernels.

This year we are moving to 50,000 kernel bags. This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly, we have been asked by some rural retailers if we can provide lighter bags due to the lifting limits that are required in store.

Additionally, we have also noticed that the wetter and cooler growing seasons experienced in Gisborne have caused heavier seed to be produced. Simply put, some of our hybrids are now well into the mid or high 30 kgs plus per bag. By reducing the number of kernels, we can reduce the bag weight down to a more respectable 20 – 25 kgs per bag. Climate change is having an impact in more ways than one.

Even with changing climatic conditions, maize grown for silage or grain continues to be an outstanding crop for New Zealand farmers and Corson Maize is committed to providing top quality seed and genetics year on year.

Make sure you get in early to secure your seed as it is going to be in hot demand this coming season.

All the best for 2023.

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CORSON MAIZE HYBRID NAMING SYSTEM

In 2022 we renamed some of our existing maize hybrid products using the PAC naming s y ste m . We u nde r s ta n d t hat may have been c o n f using for t hose who were familiar with our p revi ous n a m es We also understand that the u s e o f “ PAC” m ay be c o nf using bec a us e it i s assoc iated with Pacific Seeds.

To clarify the changes we have made, we wish to make it clear that not all our hybrids are sourced from Pacific Seeds, and that we have adopted the Pacific Seeds (PAC) naming convention to meet market requests and simplify the names we use The table alongside sets out the new PAC name and the previous name of each hybrid.

We also described a group of hybrids as “Dairy Platform Specialist Maize Hybrids”. They were also advertised as a new group and newly introduced. The hybrids in this group are existing Corson hybrids that were selected by us as suitable for use on dairy platforms.

In 2023 Corson Maize is not marketing a dairy platform range of hybrids.

LONG TERM MATURITY HYBRID ADDS an important feed buffer to dairy system

Nathan and Ashlee Bluett farm a 580-cow dairy unit in the Rangitoto Hills, east of Te Kuiti. The farm is 210 ha, and they also have a support unit of 90 ha just down the road, used to grow extra grass and maize silage for their cows. The farm is a mix of rolling and steep country with native bush throughout the unit. Nathan says, “the views from this place are incredible, it really is a joy to farm here.”

Nathan and Ashlee are hardworking farmers who spend a considerable amount of time analysing their system to find ways to “do things better”. Usually, Nathan buys 23 ha of maize silage from the neighbour as well as growing some on his platform. However, this season they identified that they can grow more maize silage on farm creating a feed buffer in their system. This additional area on farm looks to utilise the better country on the support block as well as some selected dairy platform paddocks. By growing a long maturity hybrid on the whole area, they

will grow enough maize to carry extra over for another year to feed out in summer. In the past, they have grown a short maturity hybrid to harvest early for summer feed and by having the carryover ‘buffer’ now, they can grow more feed in total.

There are many considerations to make when you are discussing a maize silage plan for a dairy system. Nathan has been able to make informed decisions around intended planting and harvesting dates, establishment methods, populations, and hybrid selection. “Nathan and Ashlee’s property had some areas contoured before planting, and the paddocks selected are exposed to strong weather conditions; they required a tough hybrid that could stand well in windy/ harsh conditions while still producing great yields,” said Corson Maize Sales Agronomist Maria Klaus.

PAC 344 was selected for Nathan and Ashlee’s area as it is a mid to late maturing (102 CRM) hybrid with excellent yield potential. PAC 344 was

also suitable due to its standability, disease tolerance and yield potential. Its short-medium stature has proved invaluable this season as it has endured the toughest conditions with minimal damage.

The Bluett’s maize silage buffer has allowed them to grow a longer maturing hybrid to maximise yield potential and build some harvest flexibility into his system without affecting their regrassing programme. The buffer also helps protect Nathan and Ashlee’s system from severe droughts during the summer period. They have feed on hand to get their cows through, taking a lot of pressure off the grass. This is something Nathan and Ashlee will continue to do.

Maize silage will continue to play an integral part in Nathan and Ashlee’s dairy system, and being progressive farmers, they will be looking into different maize establishment methods in the future. With the sound technical advice provided, they can make informed decisions and get the best from their maize crop.

PAC 007 (BOOSTER) PERFORMS IN THE WAIKATO WET

Words: Sheryl Haitana. Photos: Emma McCarthy.

Between the rain and the wind this summer, Waikato dairy farmer Chris Lewis says they were lucky to even get their maize off the paddocks.

But he was impressed with how his Corson Maize PAC 007 (Booster) stood up to the less-than-ideal weather conditions.

“The maize was bent over, but it wasn’t flattened, it stood up pretty well really. That’s the challenge of growing crops. Last year we had no rain and heaps of sun and the crop was outstanding.”

Chris planted extra maize last year to prepare for the drought that was predicted by NIWA. Instead, they had 930 mm of rainfall in December compared to an average of 50-100 mm they have been getting in recent years.

Consequently, the maize had too much rain and not enough heat so yields were down to 17-19 t DM/ha

on his runoff, but he managed to still get a 22 t DM/ha yield on the milking platform.

“That was just locality, not a difference in management. The maize on the runoff was also more affected by the wind. We got it all off, but we were lucky to get it all off.

“If people didn’t expect yields to be down this season, they’ve been living under a rock.”

Chris farms at Pukehina, milking 950 cows on the 330 ha effective milking platform at a DairyNZ System 2-3. It’s a low-cost system using maize on the shoulders to put weight on cows.

“We are low input apart from the maize. The basis of why we grow maize is to put weight on cows, number one, and to grow a feed that helps us get through the dry summers we have.”

The cows are fed maize before drying off to ensure good cow condition heading into winter, then they get maize again once they calve during July and August.

Chris has been planting maize as part of his farm system for years. He decided to trial one paddock of Corson Maize PAC 007 (Booster) variety a few years ago and was immediately impressed.

“I got given a bag so we trialed it in one paddock and it was a winner.

“It was a good crop, it had good height, good greenness and the cob sizes were good, the cobs had grown out well.”

PAC 007 (Booster) is known to have good husks and grows large cobs for how fast it grows and so makes good maize silage.

Chris’ farm is 280m above sea level in the cooler part of the South Waikato, so the maize can’t be sown until the end of October.

“We plant our maize between 20-30 October, any earlier and it’s too cold, the maize seed stays dormant.”

PAC 007 (Booster) is an early maturing hybrid with excellent yield stability that suits the climate and allows him to harvest the crop earlier to get an annual grass planted. The early maturing hybrid can be harvested 10 days earlier than past crops and gives the annual grass that follows it a good head start.

Chris planted 9 ha on an effluent area on the milking platform this year with a seed ratio of 95,000/ha and 200 kg/ ha of DAP fertiliser “down the spout”. Another 29 ha was planted on their next door runoff. The maize on the runoff is planted on the same paddocks each year and they are “hungry” so also get potash and phosphate, Chris says.

The maize paddocks are sprayed out with glyphosate then ripped and get a light power harrow before planting which helps to warm the soil for the seed bed. The maize then gets a pre-emergence spray to control weeds.

Between maize crops, cows graze the annual grass in June and it is then cut for grass silage in the spring and fed back out onto those same paddocks on the runoff.

Maize remains a reliable feed to offset extreme weather conditions and rising costs, says Chris.

Fertiliser has gone up from $300400/hectare to $1500/hectare so it’s definitely a consideration when deciding how much crop to plant. But Chris will continue to plant around 30 ha depending on what the weather forecasts predict.

“Maize is one of our biggest costs alongside fertiliser and wages. But you roughly know what it’s going to cost before you plant it, unlike other feeds that jump up and down.

“It’s a cheaper feed and it helps us be drought ready.”

“WE PLANT OUR MAIZE BETWEEN 20-30 OCTOBER, ANY EARLIER AND IT’S TOO COLD, THE MAIZE SEED STAYS DORMANT.”

THE TALL AND THE SHORT OF IT!

Mike Turner and Dave Robertson work hard to bring the best hybrids from Corson Maize to market for commercial growers in New Zealand.

Corson Maize has access to a wide range of maize genetics from across the world. Mike and Dave are tasked with annually testing these in New Zealand to find out which ones are ideally suited for Corson Maize to produce in Gisborne for New Zealand growers.

The number one test is to see if they yield well. This is closely followed by determining if a maize hybrid can keep growing and performing in challenging conditions such as excessive wind, drought and leaf diseases in the

extremes that can occur in our everchanging climate.

There are also several other considerations that must be taken into account such as, how does a maize hybrid perform as a silage hybrid or does it have the right characteristics to be taken right through for grain?

Even if a hybrid is outstanding in trials we still need to see if it can provide consistency year on year. So, ‘performance stability’ from one year to the next is critical for a hybrid to be advanced into the ‘hybrid portfolio’ to be available for growers.

We rely on Mike and Dave to get it right, and so far, they seem to be on the money.

This last season has seen many

challenges including wind and leaf disease and most Corson Maize hybrids have performed exceptionally well with the challenges that have been thrown at them.

When you look through the catalogue of maize hybrids available from Corson Maize you will see that there are at least 21 commercial hybrids available for 2023. The reason we have so many is that New Zealand is a long and thin country with a vast array of microclimates.

So, from the far north with prevailing hot humid conditions down to the deep south, with generally cooler conditions and a shorter growing period, we need to provide the right hybrid for the right area.

Just as Mike and Dave are vertically different, so are the hybrids different in their abilities to grow in different regions. In fact, sometimes from one valley to the next the micro-climate can be so different that a different maize hybrid may be required.

Geography and altitude are not the only factors when considering a suitable hybrid for your area

Most farm systems in New Zealand are different and your growing season not only will vary due to climate, but will also vary depending on when you are able to plant and when you want to get your grass in for autumn.

So, calculating your growing season on farm is one of the most important factors to consider when selecting a maize hybrid. Followed, of course, by all the other potential challenges and which is the best hybrid to meet these through the growing season.

New hybrids are available each year and it can be a complicated process to work our which maize hybrid is right for you, your area, and your farm system.

The Corson Maize team and your local rural retailer are only too happy to discuss with you what your options are.

Please give us a call to discuss your maize hybrid requirements for next season.

CORSON MAIZE HYBRIDS

Left: Dave Robertson (L) and Mike Turner (R).

Q A+

MARIA KLAUS

Maria Klaus joined the Corson Maize team 12 months ago and has faced a challenging first season. Throughout, she has always risen to the occasion and so we thought it was now time to ask Maria a few questions about where it all started and about her time with Corson Maize so far.

Where are you from, and what influences did you have towards agriculture growing up?

I grew up on a dairy farm in the heart of the Hauraki Plains, where my parents still own two dairy farms. I used to hate having to hose down the cowshed before weekend netball or race home after a fun day out to make sure Dad got to milking on time.

This soon changed when I learnt the money to be made as a young 13 year old milking the neighbour’s cows! Dad trained my four siblings and I how to milk, and we all worked across the road on the neighbour’s farm at one point or another before we eventually left home.

What was your first step into the agriculture industry?

My first step into the agriculture industry was when I was 20 and decided to join the Young Farmers Club. I met my husband there, and together over the last 20 years, we have built a successful dairy farming business and have farmed throughout the Waikato region in areas such as Tirau, Putaruru, and Taupiri.

We have had the opportunity to work for some awesome farm owners and managers throughout the years who have backed us and guided us to get to where we are today.

We finally decided to put our roots down in Otorohanga 10 years ago, and now 50/50 sharemilk 600 cows for Allen and Jo Johnstone, as well as owning and farming a 72 ha dairy support block where we grow maize and run our young stock.

We are still progressing through

the dairy industry and look forward to seeing what the future holds; with our next big job to be taking on an 800-cow farm with the same owners in June 2023.

When was your first encounter with the dairy industry and maize as a product?

Almost all the farms we have been on have grown maize which has served as a high-quality, high-starch feed for the cows. This has been beneficial for reaching farm production targets and maintaining cow condition over the autumn going into the winter.

Having high-performing hybrids means we can get excellent yields/ha, which was one of the reasons we purchased a dairy support; it means we can sell back to the dairy platform, which gives us a buffer to use and surplus feed in spring if there’s any feed left over.

What influenced you to become passionate about maize?

I first became interested in the maize industry while working in the Otorohanga and Te Awamutu Farm Source stores, where I worked for 5 years. This helped deepen my understanding of the retail side of the industry, giving me a better appreciation of dairy farmers and their cropping and farming needs.

I eventually became full-time at Farm Source when we hired staff and increased the size of our herd at home. I worked closely with my local Corson Maize Sales Agronomist, which gave me some insight into the job and grew

my maize knowledge. Getting out of the store and onto the road to meet farmers was a goal I set while working my way up through Farm Source as I knew it was the type of work I really enjoyed.

When I heard Corson Maize was advertising a role as a Sales Agronomist, it was naturally a good fit for me. I felt lucky to have the opportunity to join the Corson Maize Team.

When did you join the Corson Maize Team, and what have been the highlights so far?

I joined the Corson Maize team in May 2022, and it has been one crazy year. Our industry has been thrown many challenges this season; my first year was always going to be a hard one, and I have enjoyed working through it.

My highlight would have to be finally getting to harvest time and seeing the hybrids speak for themselves with their performance and disease tolerance.

What are your biggest influences outside of your job?

When I’m not working for Corson Maize and not caught up on the farm, I spend my spare time with my 3 children and grandson or on the sideline watching, coaching and playing different sports. I coach a young women’s netball team and play for the seniors in the farming community of Maihihi for the Kiokio Rugby Club. The club has a great family atmosphere and is a great way to wind down the week with a drink and some fish n chips over some great conversation.

AN UPDATE ON ALL THINGS CORSON MAIZE

ANNUAL UPDATE

This has been a rollercoaster year for many of our customers.

With weather across the country sitting on both ends of the spectrum during the summer period and causing planting issues and an unforeseeable impact from pests and disease further complicating the situation we understand that it may not have been easy for all.

We recognise the challenges that growers have faced during this maize season and want them to know that that we are here to continue supporting them through this difficult time

crops, and we have been thrilled to see the results here from farmers. Our confidence in the region’s growth potential and ability to produce exceptional yields has only increased and been reinforced by the doubling of our business in the South Island for the last two consecutive years.

As climate patterns continue to shift and evolve, we remain committed to exploring new hybrid varieties wellsuited to the South Island’s unique climates and growing conditions. Overall, we are excited about the future of agriculture in the South

NEWSTEAD DEMONSTRATION (WAIKATO)

Even with the challenging conditions that we experienced this year we were able to produce great results at our Newstead research site this season.

We have been impressed with our hybrids performance, given the conditions over this period, which have reinforced the results from years prior.

We also had the pleasure to present to you the latest hybrid in the Corson Maize line-up: PAC 081.

PAC 081 is an excellent short maturity, dual purpose hybrid for farming platforms in most maize growing regions around the country. It is a hybrid which stands well and produces great yields, performing outstandingly well for its maturity group.

The robust nature of PAC 081 offers more choice to not only meet the increase in demand from South Island farmers over the past few seasons for maize silage, but also offers a test weight grain suitable for food grade markets.

The success achieved at our Newstead trials this year has also allowed us to host

customers in the Waikato.

Covid restrictions over the past few years have restricted us from holding our Open Day but it is great to be able to return to hosting these days. It was fantastic to see such a large group viewing our hybrids, having a chat, and enjoying the hospitality this year.

This season has been a great opportunity to showcase the resilience of our hybrids against the likes of weather conditions and Northern Leaf Blight.

If in future, you are interested in seeing our hybrid range please contact us so we can show you around Newstead or a local demonstration site in your region.

NEW GISBORNE SEED PROCESSING FACILITY COMMISSIONED

Commissioning of PGG Wrightson Seeds’ Gisborne facility has been completed.

The fully operational seed processing facility is the final step in a five-year development programme which has seen several stages, including relocation of the Corson Maize and PGG Wrightson Seeds research farm to an adjacent site, the building and expansion of seed dryers, the purchase of a neighbouring building, and construction of a warehouse and cool store.

International shipping delays hampered the delivery and installation of key seed processing equipment at the facility over the last year, however now that work is completed Site Manager James Henderson says, “the new facility provides a much better work environment, which is a big thing for our people.

Our last site was in need of modernisation, and we also had staff working at several locations. It’s great to have everyone together at one modern purpose-built site. We now have a facility we can be proud to present to growers and customers from around New Zealand and overseas.”

Brent Sycamore, PGG Wrightson

Grain and Corson Maize General Manager, says “the new facility houses state-of the-art seed drying and processing equipment which enables the business to supply high quality maize, sweetcorn, and popcorn seed to customers. Demand from customers in New Zealand and overseas continues to increase and we are very pleased to have a world class facility in Gisborne that will support our growth into the future.”

In addition to supporting farmers, the Gisborne Maize Processing facility will also create new job opportunities in the area. Corson Maize is proud to be able to contribute to the economic growth of the region and to be able to offer our employees the chance to be a part of this exciting new venture.

Importantly, the developments at Gisborne signify the commitment of Corson Maize to seed production in New Zealand for New Zealand growers.

Over the last few years demand for Corson Maize hybrids has increased and the new facilities underpin the ability of Corson Maize to produce quality seed of top performing hybrids for growers into the foreseeable future.

Bruce Nickle from Normanby, Taranaki, has been growing cereals and maize and supplying local dairy farmers with high quality silage and grain for the last 20 years.

Originally running his own engineering company, he started farming as a bit of a hobby before selling his company and is now full-time growing cereals and maize for silage and grain.

Bruce’s father used to say, “you can’t grow cabbages in concrete” and it’s a saying that has always stuck with Bruce and has been central to the way he farms. Bruce says it is fundamental to look after the soil “you’ve got to understand the soil and look after it to get the best out of it”. Each season Bruce is focused on how to farm differently “it’s not just about learning from our mistakes; it’s about getting smarter each year and improving on the previous year.”

“Taranaki has great soils, but it also takes a lot to understand how to best look after them.” Bruce has found that no matter the season, the soil still needs subsoiling and then tilling to provide the right soil bed for growing crops. He agrees that some soils are best suited to minimum tillage practices, but his paddocks suffer from compaction even with minimal to no stocking over winter. It’s all about aerating the soil to provide the best environment for the soil and the plants to grow.

Supporting dairy farmers in the Taranaki region has become the focus of Bruce’s business. With the high numbers of dairy farms located around Normanby and the wider Taranaki region, demand for high quality feed is almost always present. Bruce supplies farms with locally grown maize silage, and high-quality grain for their inshed feed systems. He also provides

specialist services where he harvests and dry’s clients maize grain and returns it back onto farm for them, giving them the opportunity of growing their own grain to feed to their stock.

Bruce is finding that there is more and more interest from local farms and even large-scale farming operations contacting him with interest in growing their own grain on farm. This is to not only provide quality feed, but to also transition out of feeding PKE and reduce their nutrient outputs.

Bruce has found that all his customers who have moved to growing maize grain for their own farm systems have stuck with it. “For the product it is, it’s cheap and it’s the perfect crop as you only take the grain, so you have all the organic matter produced by the plant returning back to the soil.”

One of the major challenges for Bruce is the ever-present wind in south Taranaki. Bruce says that the “wind drives you nuts; south Taranaki is a windy place, and we learn to deal with the wind. Maize is a bloody hard plant; it takes a lot to wreck maize.

Plant to the conditions is a focus; I plant at low populations and select tough resilient hybrids.

Taranaki has had an incredibly tough season with NLB (Northern Leaf Blight) and the hybrids that we have selected such as PAC 295 (N39-Q1) have stayed green the past season. They are resilient hybrids which produce consistent yields, each year.”

Bruce hopes that in time his grandsons will take up the plough; his youngest grandson is always harrowing the yard in his little tractor that Grandad Bruce built for him.

“YOU CAN’T GROW CABBAGES IN CONCRETE”

“FOR THE PRODUCT IT IS, IT’S CHEAP AND IT’S THE PERFECT CROP AS YOU ONLY TAKE THE GRAIN, SO YOU HAVE ALL THE ORGANIC MATTER PRODUCED BY THE PLANT RETURNING BACK TO THE SOIL.”

FROM FEED DEFICITS TO HIGH YIELDS:

The Impact of Maize Silage on Robertson Farms

Robertson

Farms, Ohaeawai Bay Of Islands

Robertson Farms is a family owned and operated dairy platform near Ohaeawai, Bay of Islands. Duncan and Belinda Robertson have been running the 137 hectare (ha) property for six years with a full season once-a-day (OAD) milking of the 360 cows.

Production averages 120,000 kilograms (kg) of milksolids (MS)

The farm’s predominantly volcanic soil type is susceptible to dry conditions, reducing growth and pasture quality over the summer period. The Robertson’s use a variety of supplementary feeds to fill this summer feed deficit and provide the herd with a good source of energy (and protein) for a nutritionally balanced diet. The system 2 operation feeds around 800 kg of supplement per cow, which comprises 500 kg home-grown maize silage, 300 kg palm kernel extract (PKE) and/or distillers dried grains (DDGS). Maize silage can be successfully grown in dry conditions when pasture growth is low and plays a key role in the farm system due to its low cost and this helps to offset rising bought in feed costs. Over and above these benefits, maize is the perfect fit as a precursor to pasture renovation.

Heading into summer, maize silage is strategically fed to help maintain production by filling feed deficits, keeping condition on cows and thus extending lactation.

“We prefer growing maize to summer

brassicas and chicory, as it is the best fit for our farm system,” explains Duncan. “We use maize silage for lactating cows; it provides a high starch and energy-dense feed to support milk production and help to maintain critical body condition post-calving. Better cow condition at mating improves herd reproductive performance, assisting to a tighter calving spread and days in milk.”

Maize silage helps to provide a solid foundation that fosters milk response rates and profitability, as the Robertson’s can accumulate a feed bank to use as required. Duncan explains “If you don’t need it, you don’t have to feed it. I wouldn’t be without it”

Maize stored in plastic tubes on the farm allows feed to be available all year round to fill any feed shortages that may arise.

For five consecutive seasons, the Robertson’s have planted Corson Maize hybrids. Previously the farm had been affected regularly with Northern Leaf Blight (NLB) however changing to Corson Maize hybrids with high drought and leaf disease resistance have proved to be a winning combination. With meticulous planning and

timing along with the correct choice of products, maize yields have improved over the recent years and hybrid PAC 344 has been a standout.

Duncan always seeks out the best information, actively sticks to recommendations and with this attention to detail, reaps the rewards of reliable results and yields.

For information on growing the right Corson Maize hybrid in your region, contact your rural retailer or go to corsonmaize. co.nz to contact your local representative.

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This season, for the first time, New Zealand maize growers and buyers have the option of using a high-tech sensor as a measurement tool during harvest for maize forage trading, as we become one of the first countries in the world to provide an option that will streamline the information-gathering process.

The potential to use a near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy sensor, which is mounted on the delivery chute of a forage harvester to measure whole plant dry matter as it passes through a field, will provide an alternative to the current practice of physically collecting samples.

Foundation for Arable Research Senior Maize Researcher

David Densley says that around 80 per cent of the maize grown in New Zealand is for silage, with about half of that traded between maize growers and dairy farmers.

For a fair transaction to occur between grower and purchaser, determination of dry matter tonnes (tDM) requires accurate weights of each truckload harvested (wet weight) and the dry matter percentage of that forage. “We are excited about the opportunity to use this NIR technology as a tool to determine whole plant dry matter percentage after a rigorous evaluation by our research team and other collaborators,” David says.

Most of the industry uses the ‘Good Practice Guide for the Trading of Maize

MAIZE FORAGE TRADING PROTOCOL GOES HIGH TECH

Forage ‘which has been available since the mid-2000s. The guide, which is now overseen by FAR, provides protocols for the fair trading of maize silage between growers and dairy farmers.

For this harvest, only the John Deere HarvestLabTM 3000 NIR technology has been approved for inclusion in the updated Good Practice Guide (Version 3.0). However, other manufacturers are also welcome to validate their technology against laboratory results, and once peer reviewed, they can be considered for inclusion in future editions, David commented, noting that contracts and protocols for using the new technology are available for the 2023 harvest.

The John Deere NIR assessment was first undertaken during the 2020 and 2021 harvests across a wide range of hybrid maturities and dry matters and compared the accuracy of its HarvestLabTM 3000 NIR sensor technology with laboratory results. This showed that its dry matter measurement was on average within 1 to 2 per cent of the laboratory analysis. The sensor uses NIR spectroscopy, and works by projecting a beam directly onto the maize as it passes the lens. Parts of the light are absorbed and the rest of the light is reflected. The reflected portion is detected and with a subsequent calculation, the sensor can determine the dry matter content along with

ingredient values.

“Summers are becoming hotter and drier, so there is an increasing level of maize variability within the field. This makes the practice of hand sampling to determine dry matter increasingly challenging, because a NIR unit mounted on the forage harvester has the ability to measure dry matter across every kilogram of maize forage being traded and, provided that NIR unit meets the criteria as outlined in the revised Good Practice Guide, then it is logical that this is a smart practice for determining dry matter,” according to David.

“It is also important to remember that maize is a heterogenous plant, with the grain being almost twice the dry matter of the stover at harvest; any small error in the way hand samples are collected can quickly alter the dry matter of the sample being analysed.”

When using the updated Good Practice Guide both parties, the buyer and seller, need to agree on which whole plant dry matter determination methodology is to be used – the current sample collection process or the John Deere HarvestLabTM 3000 NIR. Where the technology is not available, contractors will continue to take the wet weight and collect samples using the traditional sampling methodology.

CORSON MAIZE FAR (FOUNDATION OF ARABLE RESEARCH) UPDATE

The updated maize forage trading contract and Good Practice Guide protocol that includes the option of using the new technology can be found on the FAR website, www.far.org.nz.

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CORSON MAIZE SALES AGRONOMY TEAM

CRAIG BOOTH SALES AGRONOMIST

 Northland/North Auckland

 027 213 1628

 cbooth@corsonmaize.co.nz

ARTHUR SHORT SALES AGRONOMIST

 South Auckland/North Waikato

 027 643 2360

 ashort@corsonmaize.co.nz

MARIA KLAUS SALES AGRONOMIST

 Central/Western Waikato

 027 231 8140

 mklaus@corsonmaize.co.nz

CAMERON HUSSEY SALES AGRONOMIST

 Taranaki/Southern North Island

 027 290 3737

 chussey@corsonmaize.co.nz

ANDREW EMSLIE SALES AGRONOMIST

 Bay of Plenty/East Waikato/ Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay

 027 839 7317

 aemslie@corsonmaize.co.nz

TBC SALES AGRONOMIST

 Lower North Island

 027 200 2628

CHRIS SANDERS

SALES AGRONOMIST

 South Island

 027 596 3574

 csanders@pggwrightsonseeds.co.nz

GRAEME AUSTIN NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

 Nationwide

 027 433 0161

 gaustin@corsonmaize.co.nz

MIKE TURNER

SENIOR RESEARCH AGRONOMIST

 Nationwide

 027 406 6228

 mturner@corsonmaize.co.nz