Maize grain at 268,500 tonnes, up 53% on last year, and an increase in average yields from 10t/ha last year to 12.8t/ha are a welcome jump from 2017, Federated Farmers arable vice-chairman for maize and forage Reuben Carter said.
The 2018 harvest was up 28% compared to 2016 and up 19% on 2015.
Maize silage at 853,600t of dry matter (DM) harvested was up 12% on 2017 with yields increasing 11% from 18.5t DM/ha last season to 20.6t DM/ha this season.
Confidence is returning to the sector with the healthy rise in yields and prices remaining firm at about $400/tonne, Carter said.
Most farmers enjoyed excellent growing weather and harvest conditions this year and that was reflected in the latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) maize survey.
Data from 77 survey farms, scaled up for a national picture, found some growers saying it was the best season they had experienced.
“Coming out of a really dry season in 2016-17 it did feel like this year was one out of the box,” Carter said.
“It was off to a slow start with quite a wet October-November period but then we had some great heat and rain and it set us up for fantastic growing and an early harvest.”
Another indicator of the settled weather at harvest time in most districts was that 95% of the maize grain crop was in by the time of the survey on June 1 when at the same time last year only 52% of the harvest was completed.
“That early finish is good news for growers and contractors.”
The evidence of good relationships between farmers and contractors in managing wet paddocks during the harvest minimised damage and mud spread around public roads.
“It was pleasing, a good effort by all parties,” Carter said.
The AIMI survey showed about 85% of the maize grain crop was sold by June 1, leaving 39,000 tonnes unsold.
At the same time last year 18,600t was unsold with 44,900t and 34,600t not sold in the two previous years respectively.
“There is still a bit of free grain floating around but the prices have been creeping up a bit every week.”
Just on 60% of the maize silage harvest was sold or used by June 1, leaving 349,000 tonnes DM unused or unsold. That compares to 457,000t in 2017 and 365,000 in 2016.
Survey responses showed spring sowing intentions for maize grain are very similar to 2017 and for maize silage are up 5%.
Carter reminded farmers and contractors to practise good biosecurity processes to restrict the movement of contaminated harvesting equipment.
“This is particularly important in Waikato to reduce the spread of velvetleaf around the region.”
Meanwhile, with poor onfarm pasture use across parts of the North Island there has been some demand from dairy for maize as a supplement.
There’s also interest being expressed in 2019 contracts.
