Netherlands: 35 tons with 39 percent dry matter and 1000 vem for ultra-early maize

An experiment with the cultivation of ultra-early maize on a plot of sandy soil in Friesland yielded an average yield of 35 tonnes per hectare with 39 percent dry matter and a feed value of over 1000 vem this year. Ultra-early maize could be an alternative crop to meet the rest crop obligation on sandy and loess soils in NV areas. Harvest before 1 September In designated NV areas, a rest crop must be grown once every four years between 2023 and 2026. To meet this obligation, a green manure (rest crop) must be sown after the main crop before 1 September. Because ultra-early maize can be harvested before 1 September, growers could meet this rest crop obligation and still continue to grow maize. Sowed on 15 May On a plot of heavy sandy soil in Friesland, DLV conducted a field trial with the ultra-early maize variety Cito last season. The plan was to sow on 1 May, but due to the wet weather conditions it was delayed by two weeks. Various fertilisation strategies and sowing densities ...