MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE

BRIGHT MAIZE

2 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

CONTENTS

3 Welcome

4 Silage Maize

5 FactorsaffectingMaize yield

6 What makes goodsowing

7 Earlyplanting

8 Fertilizerand weedcontrol

9 Soil structure anddrilling

10 Variety group choice

12 Temperatureneeds

14 Key stages of Maize

17 HighStayGreen

18 Harvesting

20 Maizesilageanalysis

22 Commonpests anddiseases

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 3

Tooffertheverybesttoourfarmers,andstillworkingalongsideBrightSeeds,wehaveintroducedBrightMaize,anewopportunitytofocusentirelyonMaize.

Theagriculturalworldisevolvingatanincrediblespeed.Facedwithsuchatransformation,weaimtounitewithfarmersmorethaneverbeforetosupportthemwithhighqualityseedsandexpertsupportandservices.

Weworkverycloselywithourseedbreedingpartnerstoensure,notonly,thatwearesupplyingthebestvarietiessuitedtoyourfarm,butalsothatwearebuyingassharplyaswecanandimplementingthebestsupplychain.

Inthenearfuturewewillbemakinguseofmoderntechnologybyintroducingfurtherservicesforfarmerstoaccess,thiswillnodoubtbringaddedvaluetoBrightMaizebyofferingtheseresourcestoourcustomers.

WehaveasuperteamofAdvisorsaroundthecountryreadytohelpwhenyouneedit,sopleasecallintotheofficesowecanputyouintouchwithyournearestmember.Ourintentionistogiveyouasmuchinformationasyourequiresoyoucanmakeyourowninformedchoicewithconfidence.

Laura DruryCommercial Manager

Rod CrossleySenior Advisor

Welcome

4 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

SILAGE MAIZEWhy use hybrids?Maizeisanexcellentbasicwinterforageusedasacomplementtograsssilage,itisanessentialpartofdairycowsfeedallyearround.Itisricherthanhay,easiertoconservethangrasssilage,andquicklyconvincesthefarmerswhotryit.

Foragemaizeisgrownlikegrainmaizeonlytheharvestingstageandmethodchange.Forforagemaizethewholeplantisharvested,choppedandusedforsilage.Harvestingtakesplacewhentheplantisaround32%drymatter.Itisagoodcompromisebetweenyield,conservationandfeedvalue.Silagemaizeiseasytoconserve,thefermentationprocessisfastandefficient.Oncestabilised,thesilagecanbekeptfor12to18months.

Silage maize can be given to animals in two forms: Whole plantItisrichinstarchandhasahighandstableenergyvalue,around0.91UFL(milkfeedunit)and0.81UFV(meatfeedunit)perkgofDM.

Agoodrationconsistsof70-75%foragemaizeandcontains22to28%starchformilkingcowsand10pointsmoreforfatteningcattle.Intherationthe forage maize is always associated withotherfeeds,mineralandnitrogenadditivesenabletheproductiontargetstobereached.

Grain harvestedGrainharvestedwet(28-35%MC)haslongbeenusedforpigfeed,andisalsosuitablefordairycowrationsorforfatteningcattle.Itseaseofuse,highnutritionalvalueanddryingsavingsmakecrimpedmaizeanidealfeedchoiceforcattleandpigs.

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 5

IMPORTANT FACTORS AFFECTING

MAIZE YIELDInfluences on consistent maize growth § Fertiliser:10% § WeedControl:10% § Variety:10% § Harvest:10% § SoilStructure&Drilling:55%

6 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

Maize is a short-cycle plant. Emergence and rooting problems are very difficult to overcome. From germination to the 4-leaf stage, the maize limiting factors are cold, excess water and pests (wireworms, slugs, cutworms, etc.). They can have a significant effect on population and yield.

What makes good sowing?A regular sowing depth § Planttheseedsatthesamedepth,4cm,incoolsoil

§ Seedbedswithfinesoil-becarefuloftheriskofcappinginsiltysoil

§ Some small surface clods § Agoodmoisturelevelaroundtheseed

A seed drill in very good condition § Tyrepressures:2kg/cm2

§ Coultersinverygoodconditionfor a V furrow

§ Goodpickupofsowingelements § Adequatecoulterpressureandclodclearersetting

Controlled distribution of seeds on the line § Verifiedandcontrolleddensity:adjustthesowingratetoadaptittoeachfield.Takeintoaccounteachfield’syieldpotential

§ Nodoublesormisses

For good sowing § Regularlycheckthesettingsanddistribution

§ Respectthesowingdensitiesanddepths adapted to the soil

§ Sowingspeedbetween7–10km/h

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 7

Two advantages of early plantingThe best yields are regularly to be obtained with early planting.Anticipatemanuringandworking thesoiltobereadyformidApril.

Early crops also have the advantage of dryer harvesting and therefore bring savings in drying.Butplantingtooearlycanalsoreduceyields.

The maize germinates and develops when the soil temperature reaches 10°C.At lower temperatures the seed remainsdormantandwillbecomemorevulnerabletodisease,insectsandanimalpredators.Itisthereforerecommendedtotakethesoiltemperatureeverydayforaweek.

8 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

FERTILISER

WEED CONTROL

Nutrient Requirements § 180kg/Hapotash 80kg/Haphosphate 150kg/Hanitrogen

§ 25t/Haapplicationfym 212kgpotash 47kgphosphate 150kgnitrogen(notallavailableinfirstyear)

§ 35%ofNrequiredaftertasselling

Seedbed fertiliser § Isitbeneficial? § SomeNandPclosetotheseedcanbeimportantforgoodestablishment

§ AnyblendofN:P:Kwilldothejob

Pre-Em Herbicides § Shouldweapply? § Applyingwillbuyyourselftime § Attheveryleasttheywillsensitiseweeds § Sometimesafollowupsprayisnotneeded

Post-Em § Applybeforeweedsbecomecompetitive § Manydifferentproductsavailable § SomejustdoBLW § Othersgrassweeds § Widechoiceoftankmixes

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 9

SOIL STRUCTURE AND DRILLING

Seedbeds § Deeplooseseedbed § Noneedtooverwork;maizeisa large seed

§ Seedbedscanslumporcapifoverworked

Drilling § Maizedoesnotreactwelltocompetition

§ Needsevenspacing,13cmspacing@75cmrow(100k/ha)

§ Goodseedselection(veryfewdoublesormisses)

§ Nounitbounce–10kphoptimumspeed

§ Directionofdrillingcanbeimportant-N/Sideally

Rolling § Neversaynever § Drycloddyseedbedcanbebeneficial § Rollacrossrowsifindoubt § Makesuresoilisnotwetunderneath-asitcancompact

Sub- soiling § ThisisbestdoneintheAutumn ifpossible

Seed Numbers § Bagsize50,000seeds=0.5Ha § Idealseedrateis100k-110k/Ha § Reduceto93k/Haforlatesowingorgrainmaize

§ Inacres,38-44.5k/acre

10 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE10 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

VARIETY GROUP CHOICEVarietiesareoftenputintomaturity groups with the mostusefulingroup12-6

§ Joy 12 § Scandinav 10 § Mas06T 10 § Mas09P 9 § Arcade 9 § Madonias 9 § Mas08F 8 § Belami 8 § Mas10A 8 § Mas11F 8 § Barman 8 § Mas17E 8 § Mas12H 7 § Mas13M 7 § Mas20S 6 § Mas28A 5

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 11BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 11

§ Heightabovesealevelveryimportant § Soiltypealsoabigfactor § Groupchoicedependsondesireddrilling/harvestdate

§ Lightersoilsdryoutandwarmupquicker

§ Heavysoilstendtoneedearlierharvest § Usedifferentvarietygroupstomanipulateharvestdate

§ Earlyvarietiessuithighground,latervarietiesmoresuitedtolowground

§ Thesefactorscanalsobecombinedwithsowingdate

§ Locationmostsignificant § Maizegrowthisgovernedbyaccumulated temperature

12 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

TEMPERATURE NEEDS TO FLOWERING & HARVESTMaturity class

9-11

9

8

7

6

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300

Mas 06.T Flower 760°C 32%DM 1230°C

SCANDINAV Flower 750°C 32%DM 1240°C

DM 0005 Flower 750°C 32%DM 1250°C

MADONIAS Flower 770°C 32%DM 1250°C

Mas 08.F Flower 770°C 32%DM 1280°C

Mas 09.P Flower 780°C 32%DM 1280°C

BARMAN Flower 785°C 32%DM 1330°C

Mas 11.F Flower 795°C 32%DM 1340°C

Mas 10.A Flower 800°C 32%DM 1340°C

Mas 17.E Flower 795°C 32%DM 1350°C

Mas 13.M Flower 825°C 32%DM 1360°C

Mas 12.H Flower 810°C 32%DM 1370°C

DM 1416 Flower 830°C 32%DM 1370°C

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 13

TEMPERATURE NEEDS TO FLOWERING & HARVEST

Slow dry down to 32% DM

Slow dry down to 32% DM

Very fast dry down to 32% DM

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300

Mas 06.T Flower 760°C 32%DM 1230°C

SCANDINAV Flower 750°C 32%DM 1240°C

DM 0005 Flower 750°C 32%DM 1250°C

MADONIAS Flower 770°C 32%DM 1250°C

Mas 08.F Flower 770°C 32%DM 1280°C

Mas 09.P Flower 780°C 32%DM 1280°C

BARMAN Flower 785°C 32%DM 1330°C

Mas 11.F Flower 795°C 32%DM 1340°C

Mas 10.A Flower 800°C 32%DM 1340°C

Mas 17.E Flower 795°C 32%DM 1350°C

Mas 13.M Flower 825°C 32%DM 1360°C

Mas 12.H Flower 810°C 32%DM 1370°C

DM 1416 Flower 830°C 32%DM 1370°C

14 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

KEY STAGES OF MAIZE

Emergence § 10Csoiltemperaturerequiredforgermination § 12-17daysrequiredtoreachemergence

4-5 leaf stage § Weaning–theplantisnolongerdependantontheseedsreserves § Sensitivitytodeficiencies

8-10 leaf stage § Initiationofears–(numberofrows) § Needforwaterandnutrients § Sensitivitytocold,lowsunlightandapplicationofweedkillers

Tassel visible § Stageofwhichdeterminesnumberofearsperplant § Numberofovulesis90%determined § Greatsensitivitytolackofwaterandnitrogen

Silking § Fertilizationofovulesbythepollen § Sensitivitytolackofwater

Grain abortion limit stage – 3 weeks after fertilization § Finalnumberofgrains § Endofmaximumsensitivitytowaterstress

32%-34% DM § Grainmature/endofgrainfill § Formationofblacklayer § Closingofvesselsbetweengrainsandcob

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 15

16 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 17

MAIZE SILAGE VARIETIES WITH

HIGH STAY GREEN3 reasons to choose maize silage varieties with High Stay Green:

More flexibility to harvest at the right stageWithHighStayGreenthevarietyremainsgreenupuntilthesilageharveststage.

TheslowerDMevolutionatsilagestageallowsalargerflexibilityforsilageharvestbetween32%and35%ofdrymatter,evenifthemaizeisgrownindryconditions.

Dependingonweatherconditions,theharvestwindowcanbeextendedfor5to10days.

A better conservation of the clampClamps are easier to pack with High StayGreensilage.Asleavesarestillalive,breathingismoreintense.Withinafewhours,oxygenisremoved,andtheanaerobicfermentationbegins.Usuallythesameprocesstakes3to6days.Duringthistimebacteriaandyeastscandegradethequalityofthesilageanditsfeedvalue.Moreover,HighStayGreenvarietieshaveahigherlevelofsoluble

sugarsavailablewhichimpactonthedevelopmentoflacticacidatthefirststageoffermentation.

Highstaygreenvarietieshaveadirectimpactinmaintainingthemaximumqualityandfeedvalueoftheclamp.

An energetic and more digestible basic dietAvarietyharvestedattherightstage,32-35%DM,providesafeedthatisrichinstarchcomingfromgrainsandindigestiblefibrecomingfromtheleavesandstem.Comparedtoanon-staygreenvariety,aHighStayGreenvarietyhasaslowerevolutionofstarchmigrationingrains,andalsobehavesbetterindroughtconditions.

StarchfromHighStayGreenvarietiesaresofter(lessrichinprolamine)thereforemoredigestibleintherumenofthecow.

18 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

HARVESTINGThebeststagetoharvestsilagemaizeisbetween32and35%drymatter.

Thegrainitselfneedstobedry.

Itisacompromisebetweenyield,plantcomposition,easeofsilageproduction,silageconservationabilityanddesiredintakelevelbytheanimal.

The poorest part of the crop is the lowerstem;stubbleheightcanbemanipulated.

At harvest § Surveygrainmaturityandwatercontentasharvesttimeapproaches(ideal:32-35%drymatter)

§ Harvestwhenthereisstillsomegreenmaterialintheleavesirrespectiveofcobmaturity

§ Cleanharvestingequipmentandstoragelocation

§ Adjustchoppinglengthtosuitenduse–shortforAD–longerforcattle

§ Fillclamprapidly(limittheaerobicphase)butmakesurethatthesilagearrivesattheclampataworkablerate

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 19

§ Ifweedcontrolisaproblem,raisethecuttolimitcontamination

§ Laysilagesheetsalongthewallstoprevententryofwaterandair

At storage § Ensurethatthereisarapidandstablefermentation(noairentry):goodsealingandgoodconsolidation

§ Fordifficultconsolidation(over35%drymatter),takethetimeto consolidate (particularly at the edges)andsufficientlyfilltheclamp

§ ForgoodconsolidationonveryhighDMconsiderashorterchoplengthandoverinflate the tractor wheels

§ Avoidwidetyresandlowpressures § Avoidincorporatingearthordustintotheforage,whichfavoursthedevelopmentofbutyricspores

When the clamp is opened § Adaptthewidthofthefrontopeningtobeabletogetacrossthefaceinlessthanaweek

§ Donotgivevisiblymouldysilage to cattle

20 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

MAIZE SILAGE ANALYSISFrom one year to the next, maize silage is completely different because the growing conditions are different.

Tobetteradjusttherationoftheanimals,asampleshouldbetakenatharvestingtoanalysethesilagequality.Theseanalysissheetsgivethechemicalcompositionofsilagemaizeandthecalculatedcriteria,toassessthequalityofthemaizetobeharvestedandgivethefarmeranindicationoftherationtobegiventohisanimals.

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 21

Criteria Gives an indication of

Lower values Target Higher values

% Dry matter §Harvest storage stage § Conservation § Intake

Intakeadverselyaffected

30-37% Conservationmoredifficult

% Crude fibre § Ear/plantratio § Ruminalfermentationstability § Energy value(-)

Digestibilityimprovedbutriskof acidosis

18-21% Digestibilityadversely affected

Mineral matter § Pollutionbyearth § Butyricrisk

Vigilanceformineraladditives

3-4% Probablecontaminationbythesoil,bewareofbutyricrisk

% Starch § Intakepalatability § Energy value(+) § Risk of acidosis

Duetobadgrowingconditionsearlyharvest

27-35% Risk of acidosis

Cell wall digestibility

§Digestibilityofthenonstarchpart

Digestibilityandbulkadverselyaffected

50-54 Increaseddigestibility

Total nitrogenous matter %

§ Energy value(PDI) §Digestibility

PDINvaluelow,complementedwith other sources of proteins

7-7.5% HighPDINvalue

Digestibility of organic matter

§Digestibility ofwholeplant § Energyvalue

Energyvaluesuffers

70-72% Energyvalueincreased

Milk forage unit/kg

§ Energyvalueofwholeplant

Energyvaluelow,findsugar-richconcentratestocomplementtheration

0.88-0.92%

Energyvaluehigh to very high.Above0.98,becareful of the complements

22 • MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE BRIGHT MAIZE

COMMON PESTS AND DISEASES

WirewormHelminthosporium Turcicum

European Corn Borer

Common Smut Eye SpotHead Smut

Foradviceonhowtocontrolandeliminatetheseissuespleasecontacttheoffice.

BRIGHT MAIZE MAIZE GROWERS GUIDE • 23

Knowledge speaks… wisdom listens

BRIGHT MAIZE

BRIGHT MAIZE 2-4 Manor Farm Barns, Burcombe Lane, Burcombe, Salisbury, Wiltshire. SP2 0EJ

Telephone: 01722 744494 Email: laura@brightmaize.com • rod@brightmaize.com Website: www.brightmaize.com

@BrightMaize @BrightMaize