21
www.age.co.nz Thursday, September 3, 2020
Maize silage proven and sustainable 2020MAIZE& CROPPING
The recently announced Essential Freshwater (‘Action for Healthy Waterways’) rules have many livestock farmers rethinking their winter management and cropping regimes.
the rooting depth of pasture species. Recent published research conducted by Pioneer® brand seeds shows the annual nitrogen leaching loss under maize silage followed by a harvested annual ryegrass catch-crop can be as low as 6 kg N/ha*. “Because it produces high yields, a maize crop takes up a lot of nitrogen,” says Mark, “But maize silage itself is a low nitrogen feed which is great for diluting the high dietary nitrogen levels found in ryegrass-clover pasture for much of the year.”
Maize for silage is a great option, according to Mark Burke, Regional Manager for Pioneer® brand seeds. “Maize silage is harvested and stored so it is not a˜ ected by the intensiÿ cation or winter grazing restrictions that a˜ ect many other crops,” says Mark. “It o˜ ers a proven solution for Wairarapa farmers who are looking for wintering options which don’t involve intensive grazing.” One of the most talked about new rules is the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser application. “While we encourage responsible nitrogen use, it is important to note that the 190 kg/ha synthetic nitrogen application rule does not apply to maize silage or grain crops regardless as to whether they are grown on arable or livestock farms,” says Mark. Maize silage has become an integral part of the feeding regime on a large number of New Zealand dairy farms over the past three decades. It is a low-cost supplement that’s great for increasing cow condition,
Research has shown that feeding less dietary protein results in less nitrogen in the urine. This is important as urinary nitrogen is a major contributor to nitrogen leaching losses.
extending lactation and ÿ lling feed deÿ cits Farmers are well aware of the production and proÿ t beneÿ ts of feeding maize silage but less aware of its environmental advantages,” says Mark Maize is a deep-rooted grass with welldocumented water and nitrogen use e˛ ciency. It has a water-use e˛ ciency 2-3 times that of perennial ryegrass. A maize crop can draw nutrients, including nitrogen, which have dropped below
“Maize yields are continuing to rise, and modern hybrids produce more yield in a shorter growing season than those farmers planted a decade or more ago,” says Mark. “Maize has a lot of proven environmental beneÿ ts and continued advances in crop establishment and management practices will see maize cropping become even greener in the years ahead.” Tsimba et al, 2020. Quantiÿ cation of nitrogen leaching losses under a typical maize silage cropping system. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual FLRC Workshop. Massey University.
*