Sourcing maize grain
There are a significant number of grain companies who can supply whole or processed maize grain. Talk to your local maize planting or harvesting contractor or call 0800 PIONEER (746 633) to find the supplier closest to you.
Some farmers are choosing to grow their own supply of maize grain on farm or a run-off. Alternatively the crop can be harvested as earlage or high moisture corn. The latter two products are not suitable for feeding in most meal feeding systems.
Economics of growing maize grain
The cost of growing maize grain is shown in this table. Storage and processing costs must be added to give an estimated total cost per kgDM maize grain.
Indicative Maize for Grain Costs of Production for the 2016-17 Season1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inputs | Indicative cost estimate ($/ha) | My costs ($/ha) |
| Soil testing | 7 | |
| Base: Lime @ 1 t/ha | 70 | |
| Base fertiliser (300kg/ha) + application | 220 | |
| Cultivation: To planting specifications | 370 | |
| Pioneer® brand maize seed P0891 @ 94,000/ha | 430 | |
| FAR levy ($0.90/10,000 kernels @ 94,000/ha) | 8 | |
| Seed insecticide treatment (Poncho®) | 130 | |
| Starter fertiliser 250kg/ha DAP+ application | 220 | |
| Planting | 150 | |
| Pre-emergence weed control | 60 | |
| Post-emergence weed control | 60 | |
| Side-dressing 250kg/ha urea + application | 210 | |
| Spraying: Two Applications | 80 | |
| Harvest: Combine | 380 | |
| Interest on $2,015 @ 8% for 8 months | 110 | |
| Total costs (inputs & interest) | $2395 | |
| Yield | |||||
| Tonnes per hectare: WET | 12.14 | 13.29 | 14.45 | 15.61 | 16.76 |
| Tonnes per hectare: DRY (@ 14% moisture) | 10.50 | 11.50 | 12.50 | 13.50 | 14.50 |
| Cartage and Drying Costs | |||||
| Cartage - 50 km @ $18 per wet tonne | 220 | 240 | 260 | 280 | 300 |
| Drying (from 22% to 14%) @ $40 per wet tonne | 490 | 532 | 580 | 620 | 670 |
| Total drying costs per hectare | 710 | 770 | 840 | 900 | 970 |
| Cost Summary | 10.5 t/ha DRY | 11.5 t/ha DRY | 12.5 t/ha DRY | 13.5 t/ha DRY | 14.5 t/ha DRY |
| Input costs | 2,395 | 2,395 | 2,395 | 2,395 | 2,395 |
| Interest (on input costs) | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 |
| Drying costs / cartage costs | 710 | 770 | 840 | 900 | 970 |
| Total costs | $3,215 | $3,275 | $3,345 | $3,405 | $3,475 |
Conclusions
Maize grain is an excellent supplementary feed option for New Zealand dairy farmers. For more
information on any aspect of feeding, processing or storing maize grain, or if you are considering
growing a crop yourself talk to your local Pioneer representative on 0800 PIONEER (746 633).
1 Pioneer® brand Maize for Grain Catalogue 2016-2017 pg.36.