maize silage guide 2009/10

Transcription

1 maize silage guide 2009/10

2 Welcome to the 2009/10 Corson Maize Silage Guide was a turbulent year for most of us involved in business. The start of the year was buoyant, despite warning signs emerging from the United Sates, but by mid-year we were faced with rising fuel and fertiliser costs and as consumers, rising food costs. Several months later however commodity prices world-wide crashed, consumer demand slumped and here in New Zealand, Fonterra announced its price for milk solids would be dramatically cut. This year could well be a challenging one for all of us with the world economy still in a recession but we are fortunate in that New Zealand is a food producing nation and people still need to eat. We at Corson acknowledge that we cannot alter dairy payouts, but we do have a range of quality silage hybrids that are able to assist with increasing your milk production. In this years Corson Maize Silage Guide, Trish Lewis, an independent dairy nutritionist, provides some background on the benefits for feeding your cows maize silage along with some tips on getting the most from maize silage. We wish you the best for the upcoming season and hope that you find this guide informative in helping you decide which TENDERLEAFY or dual purpose hybrid to grow this season. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact your local Corson Seed Sales Representative or local seed merchant. Kind Regards, Rob Shannon Seed Sales Manager Corson

3 is maize silage still cost effective with a lower milk payout? Improving efficiencies can be far more effective in maintaining or increasing profitability with a lower milk payout than cutting costs. Whilst cost cutting reduces inputs, it often also results in a drop in output, the value of which can be greater than the cost saved. For example, if a farm has been achieving an average feed efficiency of 70g milk solids per kgdm fed, making management and dietary changes to improve the feed efficiency to 100g milk solids per kgdm fed will raise the breakeven point for purchasing supplements such as maize silage. There are several areas where maize silage can help improve feed efficiency. Feeding maize silage when cows are on high protein spring pasture will dilute total protein intake, reducing the amount of energy wasted in excreting excess protein. Also the high starch content helps rumen microbes to utilise more of the protein. It takes more energy to put weight on a cow than is released when weight is lost, so feeding maize silage to maintain body condition when pasture is short is more efficient than letting cows lose weight and trying to put it back on later in the season. It is also more efficient to use maize silage to gain body condition in the autumn when cows are still milking than to dry cows off early. can maize silage reduce business risk? Feeding supplements such as maize silage can take some of the risk out of pasture based dairy farming. Climate and weather can present many challenges and when pasture is the only available feed, either cold wet or hot dry conditions can have a serious negative impact on milk production and cow health. Feeding supplements can can maize silage improve pasture utilisation? It is important that supplements such as maize silage are used to enhance pasture utilisation, not to replace pasture through substitution. Having stocks of supplementary feeds such as maize silage can allow farmers to achieve higher stocking rates. This ensures sufficient stock numbers to keep on top of pasture quality when the pasture growth rate is high, and provides feed to ensure cows are fully fed when pasture growth rate is slow. Also the readily fermentable starch in maize silage enables rumen microbes to capture more of the protein in high protein spring and autumn pasture, leading to better pasture utilisation. help to even out the ups and downs of pasture availability and ensure cows continue to milk well and remain in good health. Keeping cows milking well through a difficult period can ensure that they take full advantage when pasture availability returns to normal. 3 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

4 can maize silage help to improve fertility? One of the key drivers for good fertility identified by DairyNZ is body condition score (BCS) at calving. They recommend a target BCS of 5.0 for cows and 5.5 for heifers. The high starch level and low protein content of maize silage make it an ideal feed for putting condition back on cows in late lactation, setting them up well for the following season. Maize silage can also help in reducing BCS loss between calving and mating. Kevin Landers Taranaki Dairy Farmer I used to milk 190 cows, but since moving to maize silage I now milk 350 cows. I ve been feeding TENDERLEAFY 96 for the past three years, as it s the best for my farming conditions. What I like about 96 is that it has a bigger cob so I can get a better quality yield and this means more milk. Corson specialise in maize silage, which I like. They re helpful in advising me what I should be doing with maize silage and a good bunch of guys to work with. ten tips for getting the most from maize silage what can be done to improve the return from maize silage? Harvesting at the correct growth stage (around two thirds milk line) and dry matter (33-37%) will give the best balance of high crop yield and good nutritional quality. Using a proven silage inoculant, achieving good compaction and covering stacks well with sealed edges and touching tyres will all help to reduce dry matter losses. Effective pest control is also important. Good stack face management at feed out will reduce spoilage and the risk of mould growth. Lastly, feeding maize silage as part of a balanced diet and supplementing with additional minerals as required will ensure the best possible cow performance. 1. Ensure stacks and bunkers are sized so the face recedes by at least 30cm per day when feeding out. 2. Harvest maize crops at the right stage of maturity, around two thirds milkline and 35% dry matter as a guide. 3. Ensure the crop is cut sufficiently short to achieve good compaction (10-15mm) and a kernel processor is used to crack grains, particularly for drier, more mature crops. 4. Use a proven silage inoculant for efficient preservation and reduced losses. 5. Make sure stacks are well consolidated right to the top by building with thin layers and using sufficiently heavy packing vehicles. 6. Cover the stack as soon as possible after completion, with well sealed edges and touching tyres over the whole surface. 7. Take measures to control pests, baiting for rats and using nets where needed to reduce bird damage. 8. Disturb the face as little as possible when feeding out, and clean up any spilt material at the base. 9. Discard any mouldy or spoiled material as this can adversely affect rumen function and carries an increased risk of mycotoxin contamination. 10. Feed maize silage as part of a balanced diet and supplement with minerals as needed. 4 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

5 due to legal proceedings with Genetic Technologies Ltd we are unable to show any trial data on the following pages comparing Pioneer hybrids to our own. 5 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

6 TENDERLEAFY maize silage specific hybrids how to interpret the hybrid comparison charts on the following pages Corson hybrid comparision charts show yield and maturity information from Corson Research Data generated from on-farm trials over the past 1-10 years. Non-feature hybrids cannot be compared to each other. The closer the silage dry matter content to the feature Corson hybrid, the more relevant the comparison. hybrid trait ratings Numberical rating scale 1 to 9: 9 = best. Trait ratings are based on comparisons with Corson hybrids of similar maturity. Hybrid yield comparisons are from Corson Research Data. For further information on Corson hybrids visit CTL85 Maize Silage CRM-85 Early maturity hybrid. Exceptional yield performance for cooler season environments (Lower North Island and South Island). Excellent staygreen. Preliminary data shows CTL85 has above average fibre digestibility, starch content and total energy. Recommended plant population: 100,000 to 110,000 seeds Corson Silage Comparisons vs CTL85 / Manawatu Taranaki Trials TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

7 TENDERLEAFY maize silage specific hybrids CTL90 Maize Silage CRM-90 Early maturity hybrid. Delivers high silage yields through a combination of high grain content and large plant mass. Provides good total energy and high whole plant digestibility scores with good standability. Suited to lower North Island and South Island. Recommended plant population: 100,000 to 110,000 seeds Corson Silage Comparisons vs CTL90 / Manawatu Taranaki Trials DK477(7) DK477 CTL90 Corson Silage Comparison Manawatu Taranaki / Harvest Years 01, On-Farm Trials Maize Silage CRM-96 Mid-maturity hybrid. Will prosper in a wide range of yield environments. Excellent drought tolerance. A large plant with extremely large cobs and soft kernels. Superb fibre digestibility, forage starch and total energy scores. Recommended plant population: 90,000 to 100,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs / All Trials HY504(9) HY504 Harvest Years 09 9 On-Farm Trials 7 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

8 TENDERLEAFY maize silage specific hybrids Maize Silage CRM-100 The king of 100CRM silage hybrids. Enormous cobs, extra leaves, superior staygreen. Feed quality traits are first class with very good starch content, total energy and fibre digestibility. Superior yield, great consistency and very good quality; it doesn t come better than. Recommended plant population: 90,000 to 100,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs / All Trials 100 HY504(9) HY504 Harvest Years On-Farm Trials Waikato Dairy Farmer I have always tried different things to see what results I get. We got a 2 litre per cow lift in the spring from changing to Corson TENDERLEAFY and we haven t looked back. I ve now made a complete switch to Corson hybrids. Benefits for Peter s farm* Cows are producing above average milk Excellent digestibility and compatibility for the cows Consistently yielding 25 tonnes or better per hectare of maize silage For more on Peter s story visit Peter Davies * Comments on benefits to Peter s farm are based on Peter Davies testimonial 8 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

9 TENDERLEAFY maize silage specific hybrids CTL104 Maize Silage CRM-104 Growers should expect a tall crop with very good standability. Excellent drought tolerance and reliable leaf disease resistance. Excellent total silage energy due to high starch and above average whole plant digestibility. Recommended plant population: 90,000 to 100,000 seeds - Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs CTL104 / All Trials 104 N59-Q9(41) N59-Q9 Harvest Years On-Farm Trials Maize Silage CRM-108 Consistent high yielder across northern North Island environments. Robust silage hybrid. Very good tolerance to leaf diseases. Above average silage quality traits including very high total energy. Recommended plant population: 85,000 to 95,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs / All Trials DK567(35) DK567 Harvest Years 01-03, On-Farm Trials 9 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

10 dual purpose hybrids Delitop Dual Purpose CRM-80 New dual purpose hybrid. New exciting short season hybrid. Displays very good emergence and early season growth. Limited trial data but on farm is showing to perform extremely well for maturity. Recommended for southern North Island and South Island. Recommended plant population: 95,000 to 105,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs Delitop / Manawatu Taranaki Trials Delitop Dual Purpose CRM-95 Silage Dual purpose hybrid combining high grain and silage yields. Displays very good emergence and early season growth. Slender flex ears produce good test weight grain that dries down fast. High silage yield and good total energy scores ensure favourable performance for silage growers. Recommended plant population: 95,000 to 105,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs / All Trials CTL90(48) CTL90 Harvest Yeras On-Farm Trials 10 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

11 dual purpose hybrids N48-K2 Dual Purpose CRM-104 Silage Dual purpose hybrid: 100CRM grain, 104CRM silage. Ability to perform in both warm and cool environments. Above average tolerance to leaf diseases. Rapid grain dry down. Strong silage quality profiles including high fibre digestibility and total energy scores. Recommended plant population: 95,000 to 105,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs N48-K2 / All Trials N48-K2 DK567(31) DK567 N48-K2 Harvest Years 01, On-Farm Trials Manawatu Dairy Farmer What I like about Corson TENDERLEAFY is that it s a larger leafy plant with a huge cob, which gives my cows a high fibre diet and good energy. I ve certainly noticed an increase in my yields of milk solids since moving to TENDERLEAFY, which is great and my cows are getting better body condition scores. Willie Duncan Benefits for Willie s farm: Able to stabilise animal feed by buffering pasture growth Increased milk solid yields & body condition scores Higher stock rate per hectare For more on Willie s story visit * Comments on benefits to Willie s farm are based on Willie Duncan s testimonial. 11 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

12 dual purpose hybrids Dual Purpose CRM-103 Dual purpose hybrid combining high grain and silage yields. Displays very good emergence and early season growth. Outstanding late season plant health and staygreen. Recommended plant population: 90,000 to 100,000 seeds N59-Q9 Goldfrank Harvest Years On-Farm Trials - Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs Goldfrank / All Trials Goldfrank N59-Q9(21) N59-Q9 Dual Purpose CRM-107 Dual purpose hybrid. Extremely high and consistent grain yielder. Excellent drought and above average leaf disease tolerance. High yielding silage hybrid that possesses very good whole plant fibre digestibility, forage starch and total energy. Recommended plant population: 90,000 to 100,000 seeds Corson Silage Trial Comparisons vs N59-Q9 / All Trials DK567(37) N59-Q DK567 N59-Q9 Harvest Years 01-03, On-Farm Trials 12 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

13 silage planting to harvest guide Northland Auckland North & Central Waikato Bay of Plenty East Coast Hawke s Bay HARVEST PLANTING Week 5 Feb CTL90 CTL85 CTL90 CTL85 N48-K2 CTL90 CTL104 CTL85 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL90 CTL104 CTL85 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL90 CTL104 CTL85 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL90 CTL104 CTL85 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL90 CTL104 CTL85 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL90 CTL104 CTL85 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL90 CTL104 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL104 N48-K2 N59-Q9 CTL104 N59-Q9 Feb CTL85 Feb Feb April April April South Waikato Manawatu Rangitikei Taranaki Wairarapa HARVEST PLANTING Week 5 Feb CTL85 Feb CTL90 N48-K2 CTL85 CTL90 N48-K2 CTL85 CTL90 N48-K2 CTL85 CTL90 N48-K2 CTL85 CTL90 N48-K2 CTL85 CTL90 N48-K2 CTL85 CTL90 CTL90 CTL85 CTL104 CTL104 April CTL104 April CTL104 April CTL104 April CTL104 N48-K2 May NOTE: For Central North Island, Southern Hawke s Bay, Northern Wairarapa and Horowhenua add 10 days to South Waikato harvest dates. For Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury add 20 days to South Waikato harvest dates. Planting and estimated harvest dates have been compiled using heat unit information in conjunction with trial and commercial plantings within each broad regional category. Many factors influence crop growth and development hence these recommendations serve only as a guide. 13 TENDERLEAFY maize silage x

14 contact details Rob Shannon Seed Sales Manager National Seed Sales Representative Bay of Plenty DDI Fax Mob Paul Greenbank Seed Sales Representative Waikato, Auckland Mob Jim Barr Seed Sales Representative Waikato, Northland Trial Technician Upper North Island Ph Fax Mob Julian Nicholson Seed Sales Representative Lower North Island Ph Mobile Corson maize hybrids are available from all leading rural farm supply merchants. Corson, TenderLeafy and the respective logos are registered trademarks of Corson Grain Ltd. Hybrid information in this document is based on Corson research data and is accurate at the time of publication. The information in this document is of general nature and no liability (whether as a result of negligence or otherwise) is accepted for any loss of any kind that may arise from actions based on the contents of this publication. Corson Grain Ltd No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior written consent from Corson.

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