MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING
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Maize growers looking for reversal Unprecedented levels of rain from the five cyclones that lashed the Bay of Plenty in one year, have meant that the growing degree days of maize (GDDS) have not been sufficient to provide the energy for the accumulation of dry matter (DM) in either the stover or the cob.
A growing degree day measures the amount of heat accumulated over a period, usually 24 hours. Maize hybrids can differ in their requirements for heat and sunlight to attain maximum production. “Hybrid maturities can be associated with definite amounts of GDDS required from planting to physiological maturity. Maize hybrids considered to be mid-maturity in the Bay of Plenty/Waikato region require approximately 2600 GDDS and given the
Replanted maize after the cyclones.
weather this season, we were well short of the GDDS required to maximise quality and yield potential,” says VP Maxx account manager Barry Smallridge. The continued wet and moderate conditions made the perfect breeding ground for Northern Leaf Blight. NLB can be identified by a yellow border (transparent when held to the light), which
surrounds various shaped lesions that have irregular margins. “In maize, premature plant death during grain fill can result in significant yield losses. The amount of yield loss depends on the severity of the injury and the growth stage when the injury occurred. “In silage, the loss of leaves through NLB at the soft dough stage, which is prior to
NZ cropping vote deadline looming Cropping farmers are currently voting to determine the future of the Foundation for Arable Research, their levy funded research organisation. FAR chairman Steven Bierema says people should have had their voting papers in farm mailboxes from July 21 and he’s confident that FAR has the support of its grower base. “We put a lot of effort into consulting, formally and informally, with growers up and down New Zealand, to ensure that our research and extension strategy matches the needs of our farmers.” Voting can be completed by putting papers in the post or using the online option, details of which are printed on growers’ voting papers. FAR encourages growers to use the online voting system, which is automatic and more secure. Postal and online voting closes at 12 noon on August 23. Voting results are expected on August 28. Under the Commodity Levies Act, growers have the opportunity to vote to renew levy orders every six years. A ‘yes’ vote will ensure FAR’s continued existence
and on-going contribution to the cropping industry, while a ‘no’ vote would result in the organisation being wound up, and all research and extension programmes ceasing. “The results of grower surveys and feedback from regional grower groups has identified environmental compliance as one of the biggest concerns facing arable farm businesses and this is why FAR has expanded its environmental research and extension capability to provide information and support to help growers meet these challenges,” says Steven. The referendum will not impact on levy rates which are currently set at 0.9 per cent of sale value for all grain and herbage, amenity and open pollinated vegetable seed crops; 0.6 per cent of sale value for hybrid vegetable seed crops; $1.00 per 10,000 seeds purchased for maize; and $10 per hectare for cereal silage. “We are asking our growers to vote to roll over the existing levy orders so that we can keep doing what we have always done.”
SUPPLY, DELIVER AND SPREAD SERVICE AVAILABLE.
full dent, can result in losses as high as 35 per cent,” says Barry. After the experiences of the 2022 season, preventative management strategies will need to be implemented. This can be achieved using hybrids with NLB resistance, moving away from paddocks with a history of NLB, and utilising close monitoring by scouting (inspecting) crops, especially if conditions are conducive to fungal infection. Foliar fungicides can be applied to ensure the upper 75 per cent of leaf canopy is disease free for three quarters of the grain filling period. This will help maintain yield potential. For more information around choosing a hybrid suited to your environment for the coming season, VP Maxx’s advert on this page.