THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY PIONEER
Dairy farming on the edge of a higher altitude area can produce a few challenges—but for Jayson and Clare Nish, growing maize isn’t one of them.
Milking 630 cows on 185ha effective at Ashburton, the couple farm at 200m above sea level, right on the cusp of where late frosts put paid to burgeoning maize crops. However, with the help of Ruralco and Pioneer Brand Products the couple harvests a bountiful maize crop to help extend their milking season, fully feed their calving herd and support any challenges a difficult spring might generate.
The Nish’s have been growing maize on farm for the last 10 years, on their 100ha support block across the road from the home farm. There is very little maize grown between their farm at Ashburton and Mt Hutt further inland, mostly due to frosting. Although it varies from year to year, the couple usually grows 8–10ha of maize on the block, yielding 22–25 tonnes/ha.
Jayson planted Pioneer® P8000 last year—a tall hybrid with low ear placement, strong roots and stalks which delivers high energy silage with outstanding feed value. This year, they have decided to plant Pioneer® P8333, a highly productive mid-maturity hybrid. This hybrid yields well in the South Island and has superior drought tolerance and staygreen, whilst delivering top silage yields for its maturity with impressive energy and digestibility.
Jayson says they do have to watch their maize crop planting and harvest times a little. Planting is around October 15, the earliest they can have the paddocks ready. He says the original purpose of planting a maize crop was to help extend milking into the autumn, and the 290,000kgMS the herd produces reflects that strategy. However, the application of maize silage in the system has changed slightly over time.
“We now also feed it in spring, before calving,” Jayson says. “The calving herd has limited grass, maize, gypsum and magnesium chloride. This allows more pasture to be allocated to the milking herd.” The amount of maize silage they feed per cow varies, but it is usually 4–5kg/cow in autumn, fed through until spring when they see grass
seed head emergence on farm and there is a risk of too much NDF (neutral detergent fibre) in their diet. In spring, maize silage is reduced to 2kg/cow.
As a System 2/3 farm business, Jayson relies on maize silage more than many other farmers in Canterbury who feed barley, wheat or PK heavily in the shed. “We don’t have the option to feed grain, so maize silage is helpful in the shoulders of the season,” Jayson says. “It means we are able to get condition on in autumn and continue to milk. It also helps ease of management in spring, if it’s a slow season.”
Jayson says Ruralco On-Farm Account Manager, Melinda Driscoll, and Pioneer Brand Products Area Manager, Daryl Moore, are an asset to the wider farm team. “Both are very good throughout the process, from acquiring seed to setting it down,” he says. “Melinda does it all for us, and she has a great team behind her, keeping an eye on the crop. And they’re not afraid to bring Pioneer in and ask questions if need be. Daryl is always available to talk to.” Jayson says since they’ve grown maize for several years now their set-up process is quite straightforward.
With other seasonal factors at play that a farmer cannot control—such as weather and feed prices—Jayson says maize silage gives them the confidence that they have feed available in the shoulders of the season. “If feed supply becomes difficult, we know that the cows will be well fed,” Jayson says. “The seasons are changing. We have been able to grow more grass this season for sure, but if it gets tight, we have the maize on hand. We are thankful to have it.”
For more information, contact Pioneer or your Ruralco representative.