1. Maize Agronomy
Sam Taylor, October 2016

2. Why Maize? High Water Use Efficiency – More T/DM per ML Water
Reduced acidosis risk
High Energy, lower protein, good digestibility
but
Adequate storage and feed out required to minimise waste

3. Paddock Selection Weed History Soil Type Fertility
Grass weeds difficult to manage
Soil Type
Drainage
Fertility
Are there any background limitations
Herbicide plant backs?

4. Soil Fertility Test Targets pH >5.5 (CaCl) Salinity – soil 1.7 dS/m
Salinity – Water
1100 ppm
Drainage
Good
Exchangeable Sodium
< 6%
Macro Nutrients
P, N & K
Micro Nutrients Zn

5. Establishment Determine target population
80, ,000 plants per hectare recommended
Factor in germ % and field establishment
3 – 8 cm
Slow down, do the job right!!!

6. Fertiliser Inputs 10 - 12 kg N T/DM 8 – 10 kg K T/DM 2 – 3 kg P T/DM
20 T Crop = ~240 N, 200 K, 60 P
Zn also very important

7. Fertiliser Timing
Important to meet crop demand to meet yield potential
N - 20 planting, 120 V6, 100 V10-12
P – All up front, 40 P pre plant, 20 P with seed
K – 20 K pre plant, 100 V6, 80
Tissue V4 & R1

8. Weed Control Select clean paddocks with low grass burden
Pre Plant Knockdown & cultivation
Atrazine & Dual Gold pre
Atrazine & BLW Spray post

9. Water – the most important input of all
Crop to water availability, not paddock area
Match water application to crop demand
Utilise soil monitoring equipment
Monitor weather conditions
Ensure application system provides consistent watering

10. Water Demand x Crop Stage

11. Water Demand x Crop Stage

12. Water Demand x Crop Stage

13. Schedule Example Week Applications per week Pivot Setting (% Speed)
mm delivered per application
Emergence 1
100
7.55 2 85
8.88 3 4 70
10.62 5 6 75
10.06 7 62
12.18 56
13.48 8 52
14.52 9 10 11 77
9.81 12 60
12.58 13
10.79 14 15 16 17
8.71
ML/ha
Schedule Example

14. Maize Essentials Paddocks must be well prepared
Be committed to the investment
Timeliness is paramount in success
Seek advice if unsure
Be prepared to engage contractors
Ensure you can use the feed with minimal wastage

15. Maize Agronomy Information
Future Dairy Maize Technote
Pioneer Corn Growers Guide
Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms

16. Contacts – Maize Seed Supply Companies
Name
Phone
Peter Bostock
Gentech Seeds
Tim O’Dea
Heritage Seeds
Dale Thompson
Seed Force
Mitch Tuffley
Advanta Seeds
David Coddington
HSR

17. Demand x Growth Stage
Source: Pioneer Corn Growers Guide