Gloucester Seeds Direct - Tel: 01452 723 727
MAIZE
Maize is now a well-established forage crop, particularly in the south and midland areas. Maize silage with high starch content is the ideal compliment to grass silage.
Maize has a consistently higher energy, higher starch and lower protein content than grass silage. Grass silage is high in protein and low in starch digestability's, so they make the perfect partners in a ration.
The higher energy content is due to the fact that the crop can contain up to 50% as grain and in compact type hybrids this can be higher.
As the crop matures, sugar in the stem is converted to starch in he cob and therefore there is an increase in dry matter content. There are different types of starch, slow and fast. Transformation of the starch type depends on the kernel type (from hard to soft endosperm). Slower degrading starch will allow better intestinal utilisation and better rumen function.
HIGH YIELD POTENTIAL
Dry matter yield
The aim is to grow the optimum level of yield on any given site. Maximising yield to the full potential will ultimately reduce the cost of production.
Grain yield
The main components of the plant are the cob, leaves and stalk. The cob and kernels are by far the most digestive part of the plant. A high proportion of grain yield is important to produce energy and higher starch percentage.
MAIZE COMPONENTS AND THEIR DIGESTIBILTY
|
% of PLANT |
DIGESTIBILITY |
SITE OF DIGESTION |
KERNELS |
45 |
95 - 100 |
RUMEN + INTESTINE |
STALKS |
23 |
30 - 60 |
RUMEN |
LEAVES |
22 |
40 - 80 |
RUMEN |
HUSK + COBS |
10 |
30 - 70 |
RUMEN |
TOTALS |
100 |
65 - 80 |
|
CHOICE OF MAIZE VARIETY
It is important to choose the best variety to suit your own particular location, soil type and earliness requirements. We are able to offer you a wide portfolio of popular varieties as:-
GRADE |
VARIETIES |
Extremely early 9 - 11 |
Camelot, Goldprince, Pride, Scimitar
|
Very early 8/7 |
Articat, Blixxem, Cixxom, Es-regain, Goldcob, Hurrikan, Ohio, |
Early 7 |
Anjou 209, Cornstar, Goldsile, Golooli, LG3193 |
Medium 5/6 |
Fjord, Gazelle, Gigant, Goldion, LG 2195, LG3214 |
DRILLING RATES
The majority of the above maize varieties are packed in 50,000 seeds per bag, (some are 45,000 seeds/bag) Treatment dressings are generally Thiram and Mesural but some varieties contain other dressings.
For drilling rates, consult the breeders recommendation data but generally the following is a good guide.
SITE |
DETAILS, SOIL AND ALTITUDE |
DRILLING RATE/ACRE |
Good |
0 – 100ft South facing |
45,000 |
Medium |
100 –200 ft medium soils |
42,000 |
Less favoured |
Over 200ft heavy soils, north facing |
40,000 |
Grain production |
0 –100 ft good/medium soils, sunny aspect |
38,000 |