Energy and Forage Maize Guide Overview Contents Our aim is to provide maize Energy Maize 4 growers and associates with Forage Maize 6 relevant information to enable them to produce maximum crop Early Varieties 9 yields and excellent quality forage. Medium Varieties 10 This guide is a companion to our varieties and will Late Varieties continue to be updated following the establishment of 11 an extensive trials network across the UK and Europe. Together with UK experts and our European breeders, SAATEN UNION and Caussade Semences, we have carefully selected material which is suitable for the UK market. Meet the Team Heather Oldfi eld Energy and Forage Manager Offi ce: 01775 715041 We are looking forward to Mobile: 07710 389207 bringing improved material to Email: heather.oldfi [email protected] the UK market. The trials and commercial testing we have Jonathan Baxendale carried out over recent years Agricultural Seed Sales Specialist Offi ce: 01775 715044 means we are very confi dent in Mobile: 07779 776423 our portfolio. The range will only Email: jonathan.baxendale grow and improve in the future.” @elsoms.com Heather Oldfi eld, Energy and Forage Manager, Elsoms Seeds

2 Energy and Forage Maize Guide www.elsoms.com Telephone: 01775 715000 3 Table 1: Feedstock Comparison Dry matter Fresh yield Biogas yields Methane Methane yield Crop Dry matter % yields tonnes/ 3 3 Energy Maize tonnes/ha ha m /tonne conversion m /tonne

Low High Low High Low High Low High % Low High With its potential to produce very high energy yields MAIZE 40 55 28 33 10 20 200 220 53 106 117 ENERGY BEET 65 97 22 24 14 19 180 200 55 99 110 at a low cost, maize has formed the backbone of the ENSILED FODDER BEET 60 90 19 24 10 16 180 200 51 84 95 Energy Crop sector for many years. ENSILED HYBRID RYE 35 50 31 40 13 21 190 200 54 100 108 Using a combination of Energy Crops to The crop will germinate at soil temperatures TRITICALE 30 45 28 38 8 17 170 190 53 90 101 balance the rotation improves security of raw of 8°C or greater and early development POPULATION RYE 28 35 28 33 10 15 170 190 52 80 100 material supply and creates a more effi cient requires temperatures of 10°C or more. mix for use in the digester. Late frosts can lead to plant death. If Autumn Table 1 illustrates the difference in methane yield. Each feedstock is not dissimilar in the amount of Later (by UK standards) maturing maize temperatures drop below 7°C, development gas production, therefore variety choice is vital in achieving best performance. Different crops give varieties (FAO 220-260) can produce can be signifi cantly stunted. different biomass yields per hectare - the same crop under altered conditions can give variable results. signifi cantly higher available dry matter Maize for biogas is chopped to a short length yields than earlier maturing (FAO 150-210) which will help speed up the process within forage types. the digester. Maize has a long retention time Diagram 1: Suitability of Energy Crops throughout the UK Farmers need to select varieties in terms of approximately 100 days. of drilling time, geographical location and harvest window. Highly suitable All Elsoms maize varieties have been Less suitable selected to suit the climatic conditions Suitable when faced by UK growers. conditions are favourable

Our success in the Hybrid rye market with varieties such as SU PERFORMER mean we have a good understanding of AD feedstock requirements. Together with the excellent knowledge and experience of our German colleagues at MaizeHybrid Rye Energy Beet SAATEN UNION we can offer growers sound guidance in Source: Elsoms mapping 2014-2017 variety selection” Jonathan Baxendale, Agricultural Seed Sales Specialist, Elsoms Seeds

4 Energy and Forage Maize Guide www.elsoms.com Telephone: 01775 715000 5 From Autumn and late Winter to early Spring, cows with calves at foot in early to mid Forage Maize lactation have a high nutritional demand, twice that of a dry cow. During this time, maize can be a useful energy source and Elsoms, Caussades Semences and SAATEN UNION can form a large part of the diet. understand the need for quality, balance, yield and Maize silage is not suited to dry suckler cows cost when deciding on the right maize variety. on an ad libitum system because the energy content is too high. In this instance, it is better With the 2015 price slump, the removal of all milk quotas and the volatility in beef suited to a straw-based or mixed ration. prices, cost management is as important as ever. Despite the seasonality of supply and demand, stock still require a consistent feed. Therefore, fi nding a maize variety that performs well year on year is paramount. Maize Forage Potential The three main areas that affect rumina Maize is a palatable feed, but can often be Energy productivity are feed sources, pH and cudding low in protein. The high dry matter content 10kg DM x 10ME = 100 MJ energy time. Our task is to feed the rumina, the leads to higher energy intake, combining this rumina will then feed the cow. into a balanced ration, should improve daily 12kg DM x 11ME = 132 MJ energy 5.5 litres more milk potential Rumina are extremely sensitive to pH changes performance and feed effi ciency. Or 2.5kg less concentrates and pH values vary throughout the day. Dry Matter ME PROTEIN STARCH NDF OIL Silage generally has a pH value of 4 or less Analysis MJ/KG % % % % Healthier rumina but the increased saliva production of a cow Maize 14.5 9.5 68 13 4 Less exposed to fl uctuating feed market. ruminating will lead to a higher value. Wheat 13.5 13 67 12 2 16t/acre crop of maize @ 32% DM and 32% Triticale 13.5 14 63 13 2.3 A regular, consistent and good quality starch = as much starch as 2.75t of wheat Barley 13.0 12.3 57 23 3 feedstock will mean a balanced rumina, PLUS energy from the leaf and stem. maximising nutrient yield. Oats 12.2 11.8 43 38 4.5 Source: Profeed Nutrition Consultancy 2016 An extra 1kg DMI of 11.0 ME forage (10-12p) The rate of fermentation depends on: will replace energy from 1kg FW of sugar beet Energy source: sugar ferments very The high starch and energy content mean that pulp = 16p/head/day. quickly, fi bre ferments very slowly. maize is an ideal feed for fi nishing cattle. The Elsoms team have fi rst-hand experience of High forage intakes are generally conducive to Processing type: ground cereal ferments how successful maize can be when used as good rumina health. quickly, soda treated grain (whole) the sole forage source for fi nishing continental Protection from volatile market conditions. ferments slowly. cross and dairy bulls and steers. Heifers and Dairy productivity: the rumina of a high native types may require a mix with other yielding cow ferments sugar more quickly lower metabolizable energy forages. than a dry cow. Table 2: Feed Type Comparison GRASS MAIZE FODDER Maize falls under the starch category of SILAGE SILAGE BEET Feed type Dry matter % Metabolisable Crude protein Starch % in energy sources. Typically, maize silage is high % of diet DM 100 33 33 energy MJ/kg DM % in DM DM in energy if the correct variety and maturity Conc Kg DM 666 Maize silage 28-35 10.8-11.7 8-9 25-35 is selected. Total DMI/Kg 15.3 16.6* 17.5* Milk Yield/Kg 23 26.4* 25.9* Grass silage - fi rst cut 22-32 10.5-11.5 11-15 - Butterfat % 4.17 4.18 4.29 Fermented wholecrop 30-45 10-11.5 9-17* 15-22 Milk Protein % 2.99 3.12 3.21* cereals *Statistically signifi cant Source: Profeed Nutrition Consultancy 2016 *Source: AHDB Technical December 2015. Feeding Maize Silage

6 Energy and Forage Maize Guide www.elsoms.com Telephone: 01775 715000 7

Early Early; suits cooler conditions or lower heat unit sites. Allows for delayed drilling on heavier land sites. However due to the earliness, yield potential can We included Eurytmi CS in our trials in May not be suitable for lighter land, sandy soils sometimes be relative, compared to later varieties 2015 and as a result of its performance we or high heat unit regions*. on stronger land types. have recommended the variety widely for Early varieties tend to have a high starch content *The prompt harvesting means a more up to 50% maize silage, therefore ideal for a total manageable workload, and the crop is available ‘favourable’ areas, and also for favourable mixed ration and for fi nishing beef cattle. This ready for winter. sites in ‘less favourable’ areas. We have range have high energy density ME / KG. found the variety has a fi t for both forage maize and for biogas production.” Dr Simon Pope, Crop Protection Manager, Wynnstay Group Plc TEKNI CS EURYTMI CS An early variety with good standing Very high dry matter variety. Superb ability. Reliable disease resistance. performance in independent trials and The economical alternative. FAO 180. on farm. FAO 200.

Early Vigour (out of 9) 6V Early Vigour (out of 9) 7 The SAATEN UNION range of maize from Lodging Resistance 7 Lodging Resistance 8 Stay-Green 6 Stay-Green 7 Elsoms has been revived and has brought DM (%) 31.3 DM (%) 32.1 new fl exibility to the crowded market place. Relative Yield (%) 105.8* Relative Yield (%) 107* The new SURIGA tops the group 8’s with DM *Source: Caussade Semences Development Data 2004 *Source: Caussade Semences Development Data 2004 yield and impressive cob formation.” SURIGA Craig Green, Agronomist and Seed Sales Coordinator, Agrovista A very vigorous dual purpose variety. Excellent high DM yield. Good early vigour. High starch content. FAO 190.

Early Vigour (out of 9) 7 Lodging Resistance 5 Stay-Green 6 DM (%) 31.7 Relative Yield (%) 102.6 Source: NIAB Pre DL Trials 2013 & 2014 SAATEN UNION Trialling Data

8 Energy and Forage Maize Guide www.elsoms.com Telephone: 01775 715000 9 Medium Late Medium; suitable for all mainstream sites. Late / Energy Maize; offers the mainstream sites the These varieties require moderate to high heat units. Due to starch content, the opportunity to maximise energy yield per hectare. total mixed ration can be up to 70% maize silage. This does offer the grower Yield can be exploited further by the manipulation of drilling date and seed rate. the opportunity to crimp grain as a source of by-pass starch. This optimises the growing costs per tonne. High stay green factor means a prolonged Harvest window is increased by the slower dry down of this range. The earlier harvest window, and easier chop length control and storage management. varieties in this range are dual purpose, livestock and biogas. Higher cellulose content leads to a longer retention time in the Anaerobic Digester.

SULANO SUMATRA SUSETTA A very vigorous dual purpose variety. Excellent Very high dry matter variety. Superb performance A very vigorous dual purpose variety. Excellent high high DM yield. Good early vigour. High starch in independent trials and on farm. FAO 220. DM yield. Good early vigour. High starch content. content. FAO 220. FAO 230.

Early Vigour (out of 9) 8 Early Vigour (out of 9) 7 Early Vigour (out of 9) 6 Lodging Resistance 6 Lodging Resistance 7 Lodging Resistance 6 Stay-Green 7 Stay-Green 8 Stay-Green 8 DM (%) 30 DM (%) 31 DM (%) 32 Relative Yield (%) 106 Relative Yield (%) 98 Relative Yield (%) 106 Source: Nordic Seed Trials 2016 SAATEN UNION Trialling Data Source: Nordic Seed Trials 2016 SAATEN UNION Trialling Data *Source: SAATEN UNION Trialling Data to date

The Elsoms SU range of maize has a strong portfolio for good standing ability, sizeable cobs, and good eyespot scores leading to group topping yields in the Great Ellingham trials 2016. SURIGA and SUSETTA were the two varieties which stood out for me in the trials. Strong stable plants with large full cobs.” Craig Green, Agronomist and Seed Sales Coordinator, Agrovista

10 Energy and Forage Maize Guide www.elsoms.com Telephone: 01775 715000 11 Designed by www.optimadesign.co.uk

Elsoms Seeds Ltd, Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 1QG t +44 (0)1775 715000 f +44 (0)1775 715001 www.elsoms.com