A range of high quality forages and concentrates can be harvested from the hybrid maize plant. This technical bulletin outlines maize options, their cost and benefits.

ONE PLANT - MANY FEEDS

Most farmers are aware that hybrid maize can be harvested as silage or grain. There are in fact a range of different products that can be made from the maize plant (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Maize product options

Maize grain has the highest level of starch and the highest feed value but also has the lowest yield. Maize silage provides the highest level of fibre and the lowest feed value but has the highest yield (Figure 2). For more information on maize cutting height see Pioneer Technical Insight 335.

Figure 2: Maize plant composition and yield

The relative drymatter and energy yield and energy density of the maize options are shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Maize options relative yield and feed value*

	Maize silage	Earlage	High moisture corn	Dried grain
Relative drymatter yield (tDM/ha at feeding time**)	100%	70%	52%	54%
Relative energy yield (MJME/ha at feeding time**)	100%	83%	65%	68%
Relative energy density MJME/kgDM)	100%	119%	126%	126%

*Calculated according to Mahlkow 02 and German feed tables. Assumes 6% fermentation losses for all ensiled feeds and 3% maize grain drying losses.

Table 2: Pros and cons of high energy maize options

ESTIMATED COST

The approximate cost per unit of drymatter and per unit of energy is shown in Table 3. Because it delivers the highest yields, maize silage has the lowest cost per unit of drymatter and energy.

Table 3: Estimated cost for a range of maize products and a user who grows and feeds their own crop

	Maize silage	Earlage	High moisture corn	Dry grain
Yield harvested (tDM/ha)	22.5	15.8	11.7	11.7
Energy density (MJME/kgDM)	10.8	12.8	13.6	13.6
Energy yield (as fed) (GJME/ha)	228	190	150	154
Yield as fed1 (tDM/ha)	21.2	14.8	11.0	11.3
Maize growing cost2 ($/ha)	2,485	2,120	2,120	2,120
Maize harvesting cost3 ($/ha)	1,590	1,216	735	680
Feeding out cost4 (@$16/5 tDM) ($/ha)	338	237	176	57
Drying and processing5 ($/ha)			468	1,098
Total cost ($/ha fed)	4,413	3,573	3,498	3,955
Drymatter cost as fed (c/kgDM)	20.9	24.1	31.8	34.8
Energy cost as fed (c/MJME)	1.93	1.89	2.34	2.56

 

Assumptions

¹ Assumes 6% fermentation losses for all ensiled feeds and 3% maize grain drying losses.

²Maize silage cost based on Pioneer Maize Silage catalogue 2020/21. All others based on Pioneer Maize Grain Catalogue 2020/21

³Maize silage cost based on Pioneer Maize Silage catalogue 2020/21. Earlage assumes harvest costs of $901/ha + bagging $158/ha ($10/tDM) + $158/ha Pioneer^® brand 11C33 inoculant. HMC assumes harvest cost of $380/ha + $117/ha bagging + $88/ha Pioneer^® brand 11C33 inoculant + $150/ha cartage. Dried maize = $380/ha combine +$300/ha carting.

⁴Assumes that the feed-out cost of silage is $16 and $5 for grain per tDM.

⁵HMC processing cost $468/ha. Dry grain processing cost $468/ha + $630/ha for drying ($42/ wet tonne).

 

Cost of storing maize feeds

Storing maize for a season is a very viable option given current low-interest rates. Maize silage that has been stored for a year will still be cheaper than earlage, high moisture corn or dry grain harvested in the current season (Table 4).

Table 4: Cost of storing maize feeds for a season calculated at 6% interest

	Maize silage	Earlage	High moisture corn	Dry grain
Harvest time
Drymatter cost (c/kgDM)	20.9	24.1	31.8	34.8
Energy cost (c/MJME)	1.93	1.89	2.34	2.56
After one year
Drymatter cost (c/kgDM)	22.1	25.6	33.7	36.9
Energy cost (c/MJME)	2.05	2.00	2.48	2.72

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The information in this publication is general in nature only. Although the information in this publication is believed to be accurate, no liability (whether as a result of negligence or otherwise) is accepted for any loss of any kind that may arise from actions based on the contents of this publication.

© 2021, Genetic Technologies Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior written consent from Genetic Technologies Limited.

Revised: May 2020
Expires: May 2021