Why is maize an attractive forage option for 2023?
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- 19 Jan 2023
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Key benefits of feeding maize in the dairy ration
Research has shown that diets featuring maize are often associated with reducing methane largely due to the high
starch levels¹
- Increase fertility
- Less risk of acidosis
- Milk yield and protein benefits
What should be my top priorities from forage?
- Metabolisable Energy – On the 2023 BSPB/NIAB descriptive list, Prospect has the highest ME (MJ/kg DM) in its class.
- Starch Content – Maize has a high level of starch. Prospect and Gema have extremely high starch yields.
- Digestibility - Prospect has the highest cell wall digestibility in its class which contributes to its outstanding ME yield
Why is maize an attractive forage option for 2023?
Higher fertiliser costs- maize requires less fertiliser input
- The crop nutrition requirements of maize can be met adequately using muck/slurry, starter fertiliser placement and innovative foliar-applied, slow-release nitrogen sources. Consequently, there are significant cost savings in fertiliser inputs compared to grass silage.
Higher cost of cereals
- The cost of production of a ton of dry matter from maize is lower than that for whole-crop cereals and for grass silage
Higher cost of bought in feeds
- High yields of starch and ME from maize can offset purchased feed costs
- Production costs/ha are broadly similar across a range of maize varieties, but ME yield/ha can be very different.
- Early maturing varieties with the highest ME yields, with excellent standing and low brackling (e.g. Prospect) should be given serious consideration. In these situations, the extra value of the ME yield far outweighs any differences in seed cost.
The Wynnstay maize offering
Comprehensive variety choice to cover every situation, end-use and budget
- First choice early varieties with high DM yield, high starch yield, extremely high ME yield and no issues with standing, brackling or disease resistance.
Complete package of crop inputs
- Seed, crop nutrition, biostimulants, fungicides and silage additive, to achieve the best results possible
Technical Support Team
- Advice on innovative crop nutrition from our agronomists and maximising nutritional benefit to the cow through correct rationing balance from our Ruminant Specialists.
References ¹ https://www.fwi.co.uk/livestock/livestock-feed-nutrition/5-ways-toreduce-methane-in-dairy-cows-through-nutrition
Maize Guide
Along with details on this years recommended varieties, our guide includes advice on how to get the most from your crop.
Wynnstay Head of Dairy services, David Howard has over 12 years of experience in the ruminant feed industry following his graduation from Harper Adams University. His specialities lie in key areas such as robotic milking, lameness in dairy cows and transition cow management. As well as being a qualified Cow Signals Master Trainer, David has been a mentor for Farming Connect in the area of robotic milking systems.
