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 Power Seeds have been very active in promoting the development of
the maize crop in Ireland.
We have introduced the leading varieties and we have also introduced the technique of growing maize with the use of photodegradable plastic
called
Opti+. Opti+ when used in the "punched plastic" system increases yields by
an average of 3.7 tonnes of dry matter per hectare and raises starch
and dry matter levels.
Maize is very competitive in cost of production and a good crop can
produce the cheapest form of high quality silage. Maize
and grass silage fed together are ideal feed companions in a
dairy cow's ration. Grass silage provides protein and sugar which is
rapidly fermented in the rumen. Good maize silage is high in starch
and fibre and is slowly digested in the
rumen. Both fed together will compliment each other and will
maximise the efficient functioning of the bovine digestive system
which results in higher milk production and raises milk protein
levels.
Early vigour
The difficult growing conditions which we can experience after
sowing clearly demonstrate the importance of early vigour.
Varieties with good early vigour look much better during cold, wet
conditions in the early development stages of the crop, than
varieties which do not have good early vigour. Good early vigour at
this stage generally means a better crop at harvest.
Variety
Correct choice of variety for your location is especially important
for maize. Early varieties are most likely to provide the best
combination of quality and quantity consistently. In difficult
growing seasons early maturing varieties produce higher dry matter
silage with more starch. Higher dry matter silages reduce the risk of run-off from silage pits.
Power Seeds are proud of their record of introducing leading early
varieties such as:
Avenir:
The earliest maturing variety on the Irish
Recommended List. This gives Avenir the greatest ability to produce
higher dry matter and higher starch in difficult seasons. Avenir is
the most suitable variety for marginal sites and also performs well
on more favourable sites.
Key features of Avenir are:
- Early maturity
- High standing power
- High starch content.
Crescendo: The top starch producer which gives improved
animal performance and higher milk proteins. Crescendo is an early
variety which gives high dry matter silage which increases animal
intake. Crescendo is the top quality maize variety.
Hudson & Melody: These two varieties have contributed
greatly to the development of maize. Hudson has
been the maize growers favourite variety for many years
because of its consistently good performance on farms year after
year. Both are early varieties that produce crops of good dry matter
and high cob content.
Serenade: This is a new variety with very high yield
potential and medium maturity. It has excellent early vigour and is
a variety very suited to growing in the open or with plastic in less
favourable sites. Serenade has the ability to perform better than
other varieties under adverse conditions.
Kingdom:
Very early maturity and very high starch production
are the strengths of Kingdom. Therefore Kingdom has the ability to perform better than other varieties in less favourable sites.
Kingdom also has exceptionally good standing ability which can be of
great benefit on sites exposed to winds in autumn.
LG 20-80 was introduced by Power Seeds in the 1980's and was the
beginning of the current development of maize in Ireland.
Please see the Department of Agriculture Publication - Forage Maize Varieties Irish Recommended list
2005:
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