Breaking the feed barrier using maize silage

Trade-offs in dry matter (DM) and metabolisable energy (ME) between combinations of three maize silage hybrids varying in maturity from 100-113 CRM and six winter forage options were investigated in a Waikato farmer's field over 2 years. Winter crops were triticale, cut once; oats grazed 1-2 times; and Tama and Feast II Italian ryegrass, each cut or grazed 2-3 times. Greatest DM and ME production (38.9 t/ha; 396 GJ/ha) was from a 113 CRM hybrid followed by a single-cut triticale crop. The most economical sources of DM and ME were obtained from a 100 CRM maize hybrid plus grazed oats (11.8 c/ kg; 1.12 c/MJ), while the cheapest ME source among cut winter forages was a 113 CRM maize hybrid + triticale (1.18 c/MJ). Reliable annual silage production of 30 t DM/ha and 330 GJ ME/ha (or 3000 kg MS/ha) is possible using a late maturing maize hybrid combined with a winter forage crop such as triticale, although the low feed value of the triticale may limit its use as feed for milking cows. Keywords: Italian ryegrass, oats, maize silage, supplements, triticale, winter forage crops

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maize silage and winter crop options to maximise drymatter and energy for NZ dairy systems

Densley¹,

Austin²,

Williams³

et al. 2006

“…Average maize silage yields of 22 ± 3.39 tDM/ha (mean ± standard deviation; Densley et al 2001) achieved on many farms in New Zealand are very high by world standards. These high yields are a result of a high grain yield per hectare.…”

Section: Characteristics Of Good Quality Silagementioning

confidence: 98%

Maize silage for dairy cows

Kolver¹,

Roche²,

Miller³

et al. 2001

Self Cite

This paper reviews the use of maize silage in pastoral dairying systems in New Zealand. The evolution of dairying systems to make profitable use of maize silage and other supplementary feeds has occurred during the last decade in conjunction with an increased use of maize silage. When used within recommended levels of feeding, maize silage provides a low cost source of starch and fibre which complements pasture well for much of the year. Balancing dietary deficiencies in protein, minerals, and in some cases fibre, will optimise milksolids production at high levels of maize silage supplementation. Targets for good quality maize silage include a dry matter content of 28-35%, an energy content of 10.8 MJME/ kgDM, a protein content of 7-8%, and a pH of 3.8 to 4.5. Opportunities for further productivity gains exist through further intensification of dairying systems using high-yielding crops. Keywords: dairy cow, feed quality, maize silage, nutrition

“…This tr anslates to a maiz e silage yield of approximately 56.7 t DM/ha and is equivalent to the actual yield achieved by Francis Childs, winner of the 2002 USA National Corn Growers Association Contest (Zinkand 2002). Trials conducted on New Zealand farms from Northland to Canterbury in 1996-2001 show current average maize silage yields in the range 20-25 t DM/ha (Densley et al 2001). The highest yield recorded in Pioneer ® brand maize silage trials in New Zealand was 34.5 t DM/ha recorded in a Pioneer ® brand 33G26 crop in the Bay of Plenty.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

The effect of increasing plant population on maize silage yield and quality

Densley¹,

Brenton-Rule²,

Austin³

et al. 2003

For the past decade maize silage has been planted at 100000 plants/ha in New Zealand. Modern maize silage hybrids have enhanced stress tolerance making them more adaptable to higher plant populations. This study examined the effect of a range of established plant populations (85000, 100000, 115000, 130000 and 145000 plants/ha) on the yield and quality of 12 Pioneer® brand maize silage hybrids grown at 13 locations over two seasons. As plant population increased maize silage dry matter (DM) yield increased significantly (P