Maize spring planting options for a timely harvest

from Farmers Guide February 2022

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Maize growers who are considering their spring planting options might wish to include a percentage of ultra-early or early varieties, to ensure a timely harvest if the autumn weather follows its recent pattern, according to John Burgess of maize seed breeder, KWS.

Maize silage clamps were lled without incident on the majority of farms in 2021 and quality is generally good, despite being slightly down on the ve-year average, says Mr Burgess. However, some growers have experienced three consecutive years of “fairly challenging” harvesting conditions and it might pay to review their selections for the coming year.

“Maize enjoyed a bumper year for yield and quality in 2018 due to the highly favourable growing conditions throughout the summer and beyond, but this situation has not been repeated to date,” he comments.

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Benefits of early and ultra-early varieties

“In 2021, we had too little sunshine and too much rain, which had a slightly negative effect on grain-fill and made for a challenging harvest time for some. In these conditions, ultra-early and early varieties tend to give better performance, compared with their mainstream and late-maturing counterparts. On average, ultra-earlies and earlies require up to 20% fewer heat units and will be ready to harvest approximately 130 days after the planting date.”

This year may follow the recent weather trends and therefore he advises the inclusion of at least a percentage of ultra-early or early varieties. The policy will also help to spread drilling and harvest workload, he says.

“An ultra-early variety is assigned an FAO, or maturity rating, of 150–160, while the figures range between 170–180 for a variety that is classified as early-maturing. The production of corn cob mix and grain maize is increasing in popularity and for both of these end uses I would suggest sticking to an FAO range of 180–190, as well as choosing a good rating for standing power, due to the high weight potential of the cobs. Ultra-early varieties are not suitable for the production of grain maize because of the risk of brackling, which can occur in an over-mature crop or in cases where harvesting is delayed.”

Water-logged soils during harvest 2021 were a limiting factor and affected some of the national NIAB maize trials, as well as KWS’ own research plots, he comments.

“Field access was an issue in some cases and a small number of trials had to be abandoned. It was frustrating because we had to watch a few plots exceed the point of ripeness, because the field was too wet to allow travel without incurring soil structure damage.

“Nevertheless, we have more than enough robust data to steer our breeding decisions for the future and several of our new hybrid varieties are showing tremendous promise.”

Patience is key

Looking ahead to the upcoming planting period, Mr Burgess stresses the importance of exercising patience.

“Maize seed must be sown into a well-oxygenated soil, if the crop is to achieve its potential,” he warns. “Another consideration is the risk of land damage if conditions are unsuitable.

“Yet another benefit of ultraearly and early varieties is the ability to delay planting in the knowledge that they offer a degree of ‘catch-up,’ so that harvest dates do not necessarily have to be later than planned. If they are sown very late, the nitrogen rate of 150kg/ha could be cut to 130kg/ha, as the shortened growing season will not permit maximum uptake.”

The soil temperature must have exceeded 10 degrees centigrade for five consecutive days before drilling, he states, with the figure adjusted to eight degrees for light soils and 12 degrees for heavy soils.

“Growers may wish to use our free, online KWS Soil Temperature Service in the run-up to planting. It helps with sowing date decisions, by providing soil temperature data local to the farm postcode; the information is updated daily. It also gives soil temperature at 10cm depth, to highlight any frost risk. We also have a KWS Maize Seed Service, which provides a contribution towards the cost of seed which has to be re-sown due to bird or frost damage.”

Drilling depths can be manipulated, to take into account planting dates, he adds.

“Early to mid-season is April to early May. Maize drilled during this period will benefit from a depth of 3–5cm. Maize seed sown in midseason, from early May, should be planted at 5–7cm, while a depth of 7cm, up to a maximum of 9cm, applies to sowings from mid-May onward,” says Mr Burgess. FG

Maize FAO categories:

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AUTENS FAO170

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Maize Special Maize seed availability for 2022

Demand for maize seed in the UK has continued at an all-time high for the last few years and is likely to remain so for 2022. The UK’s exit from the EU will lead to a restriction in the number of varieties that suppliers are able to o er due to registration implications.

EU demand will remain rm due to high cereal prices and improving ethanol margins. Seed production instability and logistical challenges remain a feature for 2022 and seed supply will be tight.

The global pandemic continues to disrupt supply chains and cause in ationary pressures including freight and haulage increases.

All of the above factors point to a rise in maize seed prices for 2022.

Hutchinson’s maize seed portfolio has performed well during 2021 and will continue to focus on selection of material produced by the top breeders.

Regional trials and agronomist feedback allow Hutchinsons to o er independent advice on a wide range of varieties best suited to individual farm location and conditions.

Among the early maturing varieties (FAO 170-190), P7326 continued to be one of the best-selling varieties in 2021 due to its consistent performance across all areas of the UK.A true allrounder for forage, AD and grain production.

Prospect also had an excellent year, Hutchinsons says, with its combination of high starch and high cell wall digestibility making it one of the highest ME yielding early varieties available and suitable for all end use sectors.

Ability has continued to impress in HLH trials and its performance is supported by excellent results in the BSPB/NIAB descriptive trials. Debalto is new for the 2022 season.

Among the intermediate maturing varieties (FAO 200-220), there are two new recommendations. DK2684 (FAO 200) is one of several new varieties from Bayer/Dekalb aimed at delivering reliable, high output hybrids for biogas and milk production. Mantilla is a top performing variety in BSPB/NIAB descriptive trials for very favourable sites.

Both have demonstrated encouraging UK and HLH trials results.

P7948 continues to grow in popularity following its introduction last season and Movanna and P7524 maintain their popularity and consistency.

Of the late maturing varieties (FAO 230250), Indexx, Amaroc and Neutrino are the recommended varieties.

The 2022 seed treatments will remain the same as 2021 – Korit (Ziram 420g/litre) will be used in conjunction with the fungicide Redigo M (prothioconazole + metalaxyl), by most suppliers. Trace elements and growth promotion products will also be o ered by some suppliers to improve establishment.

The evaluation of the future use of Ziram will take place during 2022. Suppliers are working on alternative products that can act as bird repellents in the event of a ban.

Force (te uthrin) treated seed will be available on limited varieties for wireworm control. FG

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Maize silage analysis provides encouragement

Results of an analysis of 835 maize silage samples by Trouw Nutrition in 2021 revealed that, despite a di cult start to the season, the silages produced compare well to previous years and show maize can be a reliable and consistent source of good quality forage.

Dry matter content was similar to last year on average at 32.6%, suggesting crops were generally mature at harvest and taken in good conditions. ME and D value were slightly lower but feeds averaged 11.08MJ/kgDM while starch was 3% higher than last year at 33.3%.

Starch degradability was similar to last year at 78.4%, but there was a range across the samples, largely dependent on dry matter. Usually starch degradability increases with time in the clamp, a ecting how maize will feed.

“Starch which remains undegraded moves through as bypass starch which will provide a digestible energy source in the intestine. With generally elevated starch content, we will see good levels of bypass starch in all crops,” explains ruminant technical development manager Dr Liz Homer.

Overall, this year’s maize has lower levels of Rapidly and Total Fermentable Carbohydrates. However, they will help re up rumen fermentation overall to help complement the higher bre grass silage. Lower acid load means maize will feed well with any higher energy early rst cut grass or any high acid load grass silages. FG

Precision drilling increases maize yields

The bene ts of DeltaRow sowing with the Lemken Azurit precision seed drill compared to conventional single-row drilling have once again been con rmed in a bachelor’s thesis submitted to Osnabruck University in 2020, Lemken reports.

Positive e ects such as greater yields, more energy and increased gas production were evident in all trial variations but were most pronounced at a seed rate of eight seeds/m2, which is commonly used in the region. At this rate, increases of 4.5% in maize yields, 8.2% in net energy lactation (NEL), 7.9% in metabolisable energy (ME) and 5.4% in gas yields were observed compared to the respective values achieved with single row drilling without DeltaRow.

These yield and quality advantages are down to the fact that DeltaRow gives plants about 70% more space to develop compared to conventional single-row approaches. As a result, each plant has more space to absorb water and nutrients and therefore more room to grow. This has a bene cial e ect on plant development.

The trial was conducted in Borken (North Rhine-Westphalia) in spring 2020. The e ects of the factors seed rate (seven, eight or nine seeds/m2) and sowing approach on crop yield and quality were examined by means of a large-scale plot trial. Naturally, tillage, seed strain, sowing and harvesting times were identical for all trial variants. FG

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News Heavy-duty mower gets nod of approval from cereals farmer

The Major Cyclone has proved a good investment for one East Anglian cereals farmer who had been unhappy with the farm’s previous ail mower and rotary batwing.

Performance, reliability and safety are important factors for agricultural contractor and NFU Cereals Board member Jamie Burrows. Alongside his family’s 160-acre Sandridgebury Farm, he works on circa 1,000ha of mainly arable ground around St. Albans in Hertfordshire. He also is contracted to maintain the open spaces and wild ower meadows at Heartwood Forest under the Woodland Trust, so his machinery needs to be rst-rate.

“We used to run a ail mower and a rotary batwing, but we continually had problems,” begins Jamie. “They are heavy on fuel consumption and the nish was ok – I was never happy with the result.”

Jamie researched the market and came across the Major Cyclone. “The Major Cyclone is a very heavy-duty piece of kit! It has a galvanised nish and is made of high-performance structural steel – so it has all the credentials of a durable and long-lasting piece of machinery,” Jamie remarks.

The Burrows family ordered a 4.2m model, which has 24 blades attached to six rotors spaced 2.25 feet apart – double the number of heads found in batwing mowers – to ensure all material is cut cleanly and evenly spread across the width of the machine.

“Compared to ail mowers, the Major Cyclone is very competitively priced, uses much less fuel and leaves an excellent striped nish,” continues Jamie. “It’s already pleasing our customers.”

One customer is an organic cereal farmer who plants cover crops to improve soil fertility in crop rotation. The mulching blade system on the Cyclone ensures all the clover cover crop residue decomposes quickly back into the soil so the subsequent cereal crop can be planted in time.

“I know I have made the right choice with the Major Cyclone and it’s already proven itself in the eld,” concludes Jamie.

For more information call Major Equipment Ltd or visit www.major-equipment.com. FG