A new variety of maize has shown the promise of greater yields from traditional varieties.
Z71-F1, from the PGG Wrightson Seeds’ Corson Maize Seed silage range has been shown to bring a wider harvest window, greater yield and higher profit, according to northern Victorian cropper, Adam Whipp.
“Corson Maize Z71-F1 interested me because it promised above average early-growth, a tall and bulky plant with large cobs, as well as superior stay green attributes, and it delivered,” Mr Whipp said.
Yields from the Corson Maize Z71-F1 were around 25 tonne/ha, an extra five t/ha increase from the traditional maize varieties on his farm.
“That extra five tonne a hectare makes a big difference in terms of profit,” he said. Located in the heart of dairy country, west of Shepparton, at Nanneella, Mr Whipp said maize was a big part of his annual crop rotation. “Generally, I’ll grow shaftal clover for the winter from April to November, then I’ll sow maize at the end of November,” Adam says.
But increasing water costs and reduced allocations left him searching for a higher yielding maize silage.
“The Corson Maize Z71-F1 grew a metre taller and has 11-12 leaves on the plant above the corn cob,” he said.
