Plant development, agronomic performance and nutritive value of forage maize depending on hybrid and marginal site conditions at high latitudes

Carbon footprint and land requirement for dairy herd rations: impacts of feed production practices and regional climate variations

“…The maize silage, with low emissions intensity, included in the S East ration resulted in a relatively low ration CF (Figure 2) as it reduced the use of grass/clover silage, which had a high emissions intensity in this region due to drought risks. Forage maize is cultivated up to about 60°latitude in Sweden, but yield and nutritional quality decrease with increasing latitude (Mussadiq et al, 2011) and thus the positive effect of maize silage on ration CF and land use varies due to farm geographical location and the CF of the grass forage it replaces. Even if regional climate conditions are favourable for forage maize, the right field conditions also need to be available.…”

Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of whole-crop maize fertilized with synthetic fertilizer or digestate and harvested at two maturity stages in Boreal growing conditions

“…The growth of maize typically benefits from high temperatures and short days which has limited its use as feed in Boreal conditions. Although early maturing varieties have become available that are better adapted to the climate of northern Europe (Jensen et al 2005, Mussadiq et al 2012) the implementation of maize as feed requires more knowledge on factors affecting the development pattern and nutritional characteristics of maize grown in long day conditions. Maturity is an important preharvest factor that affects nutrient content, digestibility and ensilability of forages (Mussadiq et al 2012, Lynch et al 2013.…”

“…Although early maturing varieties have become available that are better adapted to the climate of northern Europe (Jensen et al 2005, Mussadiq et al 2012) the implementation of maize as feed requires more knowledge on factors affecting the development pattern and nutritional characteristics of maize grown in long day conditions. Maturity is an important preharvest factor that affects nutrient content, digestibility and ensilability of forages (Mussadiq et al 2012, Lynch et al 2013. Advancing maturity is known to increase dry matter (DM) and starch contents and decrease neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) contents of maize, and the DM content in particular has been used as an indicator of optimum harvest time associated with ensiling and feeding quality (Johnson et al 2002).…”

Predicting feeding value of forage maize hybrids harvested at different maturities and sites

“…The hybrids were of different maturity indices as classified according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Avenir with FAO 180 (Syngenta Seeds, Basel, Switzerland) and Isberi and Burli with FAO 190 and 210,respectively (Caussade Semences,Caussade,France). Samples were collected in an agronomic study of forage maize conducted by Mussadiq et al (2012) during the 2009 growing season from Kristianstad (N 56°; E 14°), Skara (N 58°; E 13°) and Västerås (N 59°; E 16°). Growing conditions, cultivation, agronomic performance and nutritional qualities of the material have been described in detail by Mussadiq et al (2012).…”

“…Samples were collected in an agronomic study of forage maize conducted by Mussadiq et al (2012) during the 2009 growing season from Kristianstad (N 56°; E 14°), Skara (N 58°; E 13°) and Västerås (N 59°; E 16°). Growing conditions, cultivation, agronomic performance and nutritional qualities of the material have been described in detail by Mussadiq et al (2012). Briefly, a randomized complete block design with two replicated blocks at each site was used.…”