10 Key Benefits

7/31/2019 10 Key Benefits

1/9

10 key beneftso maize silage

0800 PIONEERI0800 746 633


2/9

1 2

This booklet outlines the 10 key benefts o eedin maize silae.

1 Deane, T. 1999. The protable use o supplementary eeds in pasture based systems. Proceedings o the RuakuraFarmers Conerence 51:64-77.

2 Hedley, P.; Kolver, E.; Glassey, C.; Thorrold, B.; van Bysterveldt, A.; Roche, J.; Macdonald, K. 2006.Achieving arm perormance rom a range o arm systems. Proceedings o the 4th Dairy3 Conerence 4:147.

3 Densley, R. J.; Austin G. M.; Williams, I. D.; Tsimba, R.; Edmeades, G. O. 2006. Maize silage and winter cropoptions to maximise drymatter and energy or NZ dairy systems. Proceedings o the New Zealand GrasslandAssociation 68:193-197.

4 Ridsdale, S. 2007. Are you getting the best out o your run-o? Proceedings o the 5th Dairy3 Conerence 5: 177.5 FAR 2008.6 Ledgard, S. 2006. Nitrogen management why is it important and what can we do about it? Proceedings o the 2006Dairy3 Conerence 4: 23-31.

7 Neal, J.S., Greenwood, K.L., de Ruiter, J.M., and Martin, R.J. 2007 Water use eciency, productivity and protability how do orages compare? p. 240-255. In: Proc. Australasian Dairy Science Symposium.

Reerences

Abbreviations that appear in this publication:

c/kDM cents per kilogram o drymatter CS - condition score EFS Economic Farm Surplus

MS/kDM grams o milksolids per kilogram o drymatter ha - hectare

kDM kilograms o drymatter kDM/ha.mm kilogram o drymatter per hectare millimetre

kMS kilograms o milksolids N - nitrogen tDM/ha/year tonnes o drymatter per hectare per year

WUE water use eciency

Maize silage - the supplement o choice

While pasture continues to be the basis o the diet ormost herds, many New Zealand armers have recognised

the production, reproduction and animal health benefts

o strategically adding supplementary eeds.

For many armers, Pioneer brand maize silage is the supplement o choice because it allowsthem to create a simple, protable and sustainable dairy arm system which maximises the

amount o pasture harvested per hectare.

0800 746 633


3/9

3 4

1Deane, T. 1999. The protable use o supplementary eeds in pasture based systems.Proceedings o the Ruakura Farmers Conerence 51:64-77.

* Note that these were best-practice arm systems with a high pasture yield (19 tDM/ha) that were eedingeconomically priced supplements.

2 Hedley, P.; Kolver, E.; Glassey, C.; Thorrold, B.; van Bysterveldt, A.; Roche, J.; Macdonald, K. 2006.Achieving arm perormance rom a range o arm systems. Proceedings o the 4th Dairy3 Conerence 4:147.

1 Maize silage is proven 2

A paper presented at the 2006 Dairy3 Conerence identifed fve principal pasture-based dairy arm systemsin the Waikato reion and described key actors or hih perormance and fnancial returns or each system

at a $4.00/kMS payout*. System 5 arms were the most proftable because they milked more cows per ha,produced more milk, rew and harvested more pasture and had a hiher milk response to eed.

There has been more worldwide research into rowin, harvestin, storin and eedin maize or silaethan there has been or any other crop or supplement.

Local research (conducted at both the Waimate West Demonstration Farm in Taranaki and the ResourceEcient Dairying (RED) Trial in the Waikato) has helped armers understand the principles behind the

successul integration o maize silage into New Zealand pasture-based dairy arm systems.

As the ollowing data shows, the Waimate West Trial, eeding maize silage in the autumn to keep the herd

milking (rather than dry o) gave an exceptional milksolids response o 179 gMS/kgDM maize silage ed.

Maize silage has also been proven on a large number o top New Zealand commercial dairy arms.For example, in the period 2001-2005, in those areas where maize was grown (i.e. north o Dunedin), 19o the 23 (83%) regional winners in the Fonterra Westpac Dairy Excellence Awards were using maize silage.

Table 1: Waimate West Demonstration Trial: Productivity and nancial outcomesor the 1997-98 season1.

Table 2: Perormance indicators and nancial returns or ve best-practice pasture-based dairy arm

systems in the Waikato region (achieving 19 tDM/ha pasture)2.

System

Maize silage is proitable

Use o supplementary eedFarm all-grasssel contained

Used or

wintering eitheron or o arm

Used to extend

lactation andor wintering

Used at

both ends othe lactation

Used allyear round

Cows per hectare 3.4 3.6 3.9 4.2 4.5

Production (kgMS/cow) 352 360 380 443 522

Production (kgMS/ha) 1,212 1,293 1,480 1,860 2,350

Pasture grown (tDM/ha) 19.0 19.0 19.2 19.4 19.9

Pasture utilisation (%) 77 78 79 80 80

Supplements (tDM/ha) 0.00 0.83 2.58 6.21 11.60

% o eed allowance purchased 0.0% 4.2% 12.0% 24.0% 37.0%

Purchased supplement(kgDM/cow)

0 232 663 1,479 2,584

Supplement cost (c/kgDM) 0.0 19.0 19.5 20.0 21.5

Milk response to eed(gMS/kgDM oered)

64 65 68 73 75

Lactation length (days/cow) 250 255 272 285 305

Cows milked per person 175 175 170 150 130

Labour per 120 ha arm 2.4 2.5 2.7 3.4 4.2

Milksolids per person (kg) 60,550 62,064 65,778 65,647 67,143

EFS ($/ha) $2,350 $2,482 $2,691 $3,100 $3,395

Return on assets (%) 5.8% 6.0% 6.2% 6.5% 6.6%

ControlMaize silage ed in the:

Spring Summer Autumn

Stocking rate (cows/ha) 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8

Maize silage (kgDM/cow) 0 300 293 290

Milksolids per cow (kgMS/cow) 285 332 309 337

Milksolids per hectare (kgMS/ha) 1,083 1,262 1,174 1,281

Days in milk 228 268 256 259

EFS ($/ha calculated at a $3.50payout) 1,489 1,824 1,532 1,904

Increase in EFS over control (%) - 23% 3% 28%

Milksolids response(MS/kDM maize silae ed)

- 157 82 179

1 2 543


4/9

3 4 Maize silage allows armers to harvestmore total drymatter

On-armMaize allows armers to maximise the return rom their high value dairy land by harvesting more drymatter

rom every hectare. A replicated, two-year orage production trial conducted in the Waikato showed maizesilage ollowed by a winter crop could produce an annual drymatter yield o over 38 tDM/ha (Figure 1).

Even on arms harvesting more than 15 tDM/ha o pasture each year, planting 20% o the arm area inmaize silage can lit the overall arm drymatter yield by more than 15%.

Maize silae systems allow armers to lit stockin rates and maximise pasture harvested. With a stack omaize silae on hand to fll eed defcits, armers can confdently milk more cows per hectare increasin

razin pressure. This makes it easier to maintain pasture quality throuhout the season and both pasturedrymatter and enery yields are increased.

Because it is a orage, maize silage can be used as a tool to constantly keep pasture in its most

ecient growth phase.

How does this work? When supplements are ed to cows grazing pasture, the animals will eat thesupplement and reduce the amount o pasture they eat. This is called substitution. Forages (e.g. maize

silage, pasture silage or hay) have higher substitution rates than concentrates (e.g. grain, molasses,

tapioca, palm kernel extract).

When pasture growth rates are low compared to cow demand, maize silage intake can be lited,

increasing pasture substitution, boosting pasture cover levels and encouraging aster regrowth.

The use o a eed pad that doubles as a stand-o pad to eed maize silage also reduces the signicantloss o pasture growth potential associated with pugging.

Maize silage allows armers to harvest more pasture

45

15

10

5

0

20

25

30

35

40

Maiz

esilage+Ta

magrazed

Maiz

esilag

e+Tam

acut

Maiz

esilage+Oatsgr

azed

Maiz

esilag

e+Tritical

ecut

Maiz

esilag

e+Fe

astII

cut

Typicald

airyf

arm

pastu

re*

Maiz

esilag

e+Fe

astIIgr

azed

Pioneer brand maize silage

Winter crop

Drymatteryield(tDM/ha/year)

Figure 1: Total annual drymatter yields or maize and a range o winter crop options

(two-year average data)3.

* Trial did not include a pasture treatment.3Densley, R. J.; Austin G. M.; Williams, I. D.; Tsimba, R.; Edmeades, G. O. 2006. Maize silage and winter cropoptions to maximise drymatter and energy or NZ dairy systems. Proceedings o the New Zealand GrasslandAssociation 68:193-197.

5 6

Noldy and Bev Rust with daughters (rom let to right) Jamie, Carmen and Hayley and oster son Hayze.

Maize silae ives me so much moreconfdence to push this rass-based system tothe limits, it ives me reat peace o mind. Noldy Rust, Te Pahu, West Waikato


5/9

Traditional run-o30 ha

Partially cropped run-o30 ha

Heier razin

75 calves

75 yearlings

Heier razin

87 yearlings

Winter razin

100 cows or 4 weeks

Winter razin

120 cows or 4 weeks

Standin rass or hay

20 tDM

Maize silae

10 ha or 235 tDM

Winter triticale crop

10 ha or 80 tDM

TOTAL FEED HARVESTED300 tDM or 10 tDM/ha

TOTAL FEED HARVESTED558 tDM or 18.6 tDM/ha

86% MORE DRYMATTER FROM THE PARTIALLY CROPPED RUN-OFF

4

5 Maize silage allows armers to reduce eed costs

Many New Zealand armers can row crops o maize or silae that yield 18-26 tDM/ha on-arm or a run-oor 1420 c/kDM (in the stack). No other crop can deliver the same amount o harvestable hih quality

eed at such a low cost.

Growing maize silage on-arm allows armers the opportunity to conduct contour and drainage work,incorporate capital dressing o ertiliser and get rid o hard-to-kill weeds. It is an excellent part o a pasture

renewal programme and produces large amounts o low cost, quality eed. While many armers are growingat least a proportion o their maize silage requirement themselves, a signicant portion are also buying in

maize silage.

Bought in maize silage has a number o advantages including convenience and the ability to bring in moreeed than could be grown on the milking platorm. Buying in maize silage also brings nutrients onto the

milking platorm. In act there is a ertiliser value o up to 3 c/kgDM associated with every kgDM o bought

in maize silage.

The cost per unit o energy o bought in maize silage is lower than many other commonly available orages(including baleage, hay and straw) and concentrates (including meal and molasses).

(continued...)

Dedicated cropping area

A dedicated cropping area, either on-arm or a run-o, not only increases drymatter yields, it also provides

an excellent sink or dairy shed and eed pad efuent. In act, recent research has shown maize cropsgrown in paddocks with a history o dairy efuent application may not require any additional ertiliser 5

although it is still strongly recommended that a soil test is carried out.

Run-o

Many dairy arm run-os are not armed to their ull potential. In a paper presented at Dairy3 in 2007, ScottRidsdale (DairyNZ) provided an example (Table 3) which showed a partially cropped run-o could harvest

86% more drymatter than a traditional run-o. The partially cropped run-o provided an 83% higher return

on assets or the armer that owned it.

Table 3: Comparison between the amount o drymatter harvested rom a traditional run-o

and one partially cropped with maize4.

7 8

4Ridsdale, S. 2007. Are you getting the best out o your run-o? Proceedings o the 5th Dair y3 Conerence 5: 177.5FAR 2008.

Keith Trotter (right) with daughter Miah and Pioneer Area Manager Craig Booth (let) onKeith and Jennys Matakana dairy arm.

Maize is the quickest way to et value romland by rowin somethin that will produce alot o milk rom a small area. Keith Trotter, Matakana, Northland


6/9

*The price o bought in maize silage varies between regions and seasons.For up-to-date inormation on the price o bought in maize silage, contact your local maize silage supplier.

Starch-based eeds such as maize rain or silae are readily converted to bodyweiht ain.Feedin maize silae in the autumn is a very cost-eective way o increasin cow condition while,

at the same time, extendin lactation and litin pasture cover levels.

Many New Zealand cows are dried o early because their body condition is too low. Reduced body

condition score (CS) at calving aects milk production, as well as reproduction and animal health.

DairyNZ inormation shows a cow calving at CS 4.0 will take 8-10 days longer to start cycling than

i she calved at CS 5.0. This will result in a later calving date and up to 15-20 kg o milksolids lessthe ollowing lactation.

The weather has a major impact on the quantity and quality o pasture rown. Adverse weatherevents neatively impact milk production levels, reproductive perormance, and animal health as

well as arm proftability.

The hybrid maize plant is the most ecient converter o sunlight, water and nutrients into drymatter.Modern maize hybrids have excellent yield stability allowing them to produce consistently high yields

even under challenging growing conditions. Having a stack o maize silage on hand allows dairyarmers to weatherproo their eed supply, giving stable production, improved reproduction and

greater peace o mind.

Maize silage that is well covered and sealed will maintain its quality or several seasons, providing

cost-eective, quality eed when pasture growth rates are low.

Table 4: Typical cost o maize silage that has been stored or 1-2 years.

9 10

6 7 Maize silage is an excellent cow conditionerMaize silage reduces the risk associatedwith eed shortages

Maize silage Initial eed cost(c/kgDM)

Feed cost ater1 year @ 7% interest

(c/kgDM)

Feed cost ater2 years@ 7% interest

(c/kgDM)

Grow on-arm 15 - 20 16.1 - 21.4 17.2 - 22.9

Bought in* 28 - 35 30.0 - 37.5 32.1 - 40.1

Henry and Nicole Hendriks on their Hamilton arm.

For puttin condition score oncows nothin beats maize silae. Henry Hendriks, Hamilton


7/9

No single feed can meet the changing nutrient requirements of high-producing dairy cows.

For most of the year, New Zealand pastures have high levels of crude protein, but carbohydrate

levels are below cow requirements. Maize silage is the perfect partner for pasture because it is a

high carbohydrate, lower protein feed.

Maize starch delivers an excellent source of rumen-available carbohydrates which allows the rumen

microbes to convert more of the pasture protein into milk, increasing rumen efficiency and decreasing

the amount of nitrogen excreted by the cow (Table 5).

Well managed farm systems use maize silage and the latest technology to simplify management and

reduce workload.

Batt-Latch automatic gate release timers release the cows from the paddock and they make their own way

to the feed pad prior to milking. This saves significant time that is usually spent getting the cows in each

morning and afternoon. Large amounts of maize silage are fed quickly into feed bins. The use of Pioneer

brand 11C33 maize silage aerobic stability inoculant means feed bins can even be filled the day before.

Maize silage is highly palatable and, because its energy comes from a combination of starch and

digestible fibre, it is safe to feed.

Table 5: Effect of supplementary feed source on N output in milk, dung and urine inabsolute and relative terms6.

Type of silageN intake*

(kg N/cow)

N output (kgN/cow) (% intake)

Milk Dung Urine

Lucerne 37 6 (16) 8 (22) 23 (62)

Pasture 24 6 (25) 7 (29) 11 (46)

Cereal 16 6 (38) 5 (31) 5 (31)

Maize 12 6 (50) 3 (25) 3 (25)

*Based on 1 tDM per cow.

11 12

6Ledgard, S. 2006. Nitrogen management why is it important and what can we do about it?Proceedings of the 2006 Dairy3 Conference 4: 23-31.

8 9 Maize silage is the perfect partner for pastureMaize silage is simple and easy to use

Alistair Jordan (centre) with son Kent (left) and farm manager Murray Hinz (right) in front of their maize silage stack.

I always thought maize silage had potential. Now I swear by it and

wouldnt farm without it. Alistar Jordan, Egmont Village, Taranaki


8/9

10 Growing and eeding maize silageis positive or the environment

While some imported by-product eeds have a sinifcantly adverse environmental impact on the countriesthat produce them, maize silae is an environmentally sustainable, locally produced crop which reduces

many o the environmental concerns associated with the intensifcation o dairyin.

The extensive rooting system o maize allows it to capture nitrogen and water at depths two to three

times greater than most C3 grasses such as ryegrass. This means maize can utilise both nitrogen and

water that has leached out o the root-zone o pasture. In addition, maize is more than twice as responsiveas pasture to both nitrogen and water.

Table 6: Yield and water use eciency (WUE) o dierent orages grown in dierentseasons in New Zealand and Australia7.

When ed out on a eed pad that doubles as a stand-o pad, maize silage can reduce dairy herd emissions

o nitrous oxide, a powerul greenhouse gas.

Free, no obligationFarm System Analysis.Whether youve used maize silae beore, or are plannin to eed it or the frst time, you will

beneft rom a Pioneer Farm System Analysis.

One o our experienced Forage Specialist team will come to your arm and undertake a ree, noobligation analysis o your operation and then, taking into account your arming goals, recommend

the opportunities or your arm.

By using the Farm System Analysis (FSA) tool our Forage Specialistscan help you answer undamental questions such as:

Am I eeding the right supplement at the right time?

Is my eed supply large enough or the number o cows and my production target?

Is my current stocking rate right or my arm?

Are my cows producing milk eciently?

Could I milk or longer and i so, how can I achieve this?

I you are already eeding maize silage or are thinking about using it,a Pioneer Forage Specialist can help you to maximise the return rom

your maize silage investment.

To make an appointment, call 0800 PIONEER (0800 746 633).

Forage Yield(tDM/ha)

WUE(kgDM/ha.mm)

Perennial Ryegrass 18.7 16.2

Fescue 21.8 20.0

Lucerne 20.3 18.8

Clover (red, white, Persian) 14.8 18.5

Maize 25.5 34.5

Sorghum 18.0 28.0

13

7 Neal, J.S., Greenwood, K.L., de Ruiter , J.M., and Martin, R.J. 2007 Water use eciency, productivity and protability how do orages compare? p. 240-255. In: Proc. Australasian Dairy Science Symposium.

Ian Williams, Pioneer Forage SpecialistB. Agr. Sc., MDM (Dist.)


9/9

2009, Genetic Technologies Limited. No part o this publication can be reproduced without prior written consent rom Genetic Technologies Limited.Pioneerbrand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions o purchasing, which are part o the labelling and purchase documents.

, SM, TM, Trademarks and service marks o Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

The inormation in this publication is general in nature only. Although the inormation in this publication is believed to be accurate, no liability (whetheras a result o negligence or otherwise) is accepted or any loss o any kind that may arise rom actions based on the contents o this publication.

The milksolids and proft increases reerred to in this publication are illustrative only o the potential or gain when using Pioneerbrand maize silage.

Your local Pioneer brandForage Specialist Team

(0800 746 633)For more inormation phone the Pioneer Advice Line toll-ree

WENDY DEWAR

B. Sc. (Ag. Sc.)

Phone: 07 870 2437

Fax: 07 870 2934

Mobile: 027 471 0116

[email protected]

FORAgE SPECIALIST FORCENTRAL & SOUTH WAIKATO

VANESSA ROBERTS

B. Com Ag. (VFM)

Phone: 06 274 8018

Mobile: 027 477 6957

[email protected]

FORAgE SPECIALIST FORTARANAKI & RANgITIKEI

DR JAKOB KLEINMANS

PhD (Agr. Sc.)

Phone: 09 307 4165

Mobile: 027 444 9958

[email protected]

FORAgE PRODUCTS MANAgER

gRANT MATTHEWS

B. Sc., B. V. Sc.

Phone: 03 322 5102

Fax: 03 322 5108

Mobile: 027 291 1881

[email protected]

AREA MANAgER/FORAgESPECIALIST FORSOUTH ISLAND

MARK BURKE

B. App. Sc. (Ag.)

Phone: 06 328 9039

Fax: 06 328 9037

Mobile: 027 451 3987

[email protected]

AREA MANAgER/FORAgESPECIALIST FOR MANAWATU,HAWKES BAY, WAIRARAPA &HOROWHENUA

IAN WILLIAMS

B. Agr. Sc., MDM (Dist.)

Phone: 07 843 2033

Fax: 07 843 2034

Mobile: 027 495 0789

[email protected]

FORAgE SPECIALIST FOR EASTCOAST & BAY OF PLENTY

ANDREW POWELL

B. Sc. (Ag. Sc.) (Hons)

Phone: 07 856 4183

Fax: 07 856 4184

Mobile: 027 451 2843

[email protected]

FORAgE SPECIALIST FORNORTHLAND & NORTH WAIKATO

Documents

10 Key Benefits