Maize
A 120-year farming link
A Waikato dairy farmer is choosing to buy in maize silage from a neighbour which keeps his costs down and lets him focus on growing more grass on the milking platform. Words Heather Chalmers
Environmental goals a win-win
A maize grower is trialling planting clover in between crops to break the cycle of insects overwintering on grass, eliminating the need for an insecticide treatment on maize seed. Words Heather Chalmers.
Maize pest settles in
A balanced use of insecticide without killing beneficial insects is important for managing fall armyworm. Words Heather Chalmers.
Harvesting growth
Maize has been a talking point around the Reymer family kitchen table for decades. The generational contracting business in the heart of the Waikato has taken the journey alongside dairy farmers as maize has become an integral part of the industry.
Words Sheryl Haitana. Photos Emma McCarthy.
Pasture’s perfect partner
Maize silage is the perfect partner to pasture on dairy farms, supporting maximum pasture growth and quality, whilst also providing economic, animal health, and environmental benefits that work in harmony with pastoral farming. Words Sheryl Haitana.
Good Soil = Good Yield
For Waikato farmer Alan Henderson, maize growing is a key component of his dairy farming operation. Words Heather Chalmers.
Episode 10 – Is maize the answer to growing more feed on farm?
Maize is pretty amazing for dairy farmers with both environmental and animal feed benefits that align with Fonterra’s target of 80% home-grown feed. Hear about Nestle’s recent presentation at a FAR maize field day, how maize is expanding into Southland with short maturing hybrids and how a Waikato dairy farmer is hitting $9,000/ha operating profit regardless of the payout.
Onfarm feed helps offset costs
Rex and Sharon Butterworth are focused on running a system that remains profitable regardless of the payout as they make the most of their home-grown feed, which sets their stock up for optimal production. Claire Ashton reports.
Efficiency from amazing maize
Waikato dairy farmer Paul MacKenzie is growing 43% of his milking platform in maize. Maize silage is an ideal component for his highly stocked winter milking system, but he told Sheryl Haitana there is always more efficiency to be found. Photos by Emma MaCarthy.