19.7 Tonne Crop Takes Out 2020/21 Maize Yield Competition
A maize crop grown on the property of Rex James Transport, of Nathalia, in northern Victoria, has taken out the National Maize Competition for 2020/21.
A maize crop grown on the property of Rex James Transport, of Nathalia, in northern Victoria, has taken out the National Maize Competition for 2020/21. Nick James (pictured) grew a crop of Pioneer® hybrid P0725 which was yield tes`ted at 19.76 tonnes per hectare. The highest yielding crop in 2019 was 20.58 tonnes per hectare. The winning crop was planted on 12 November 2020 and harvested on 22 September 2021.
It was grown using a centre pivot with 8.0 megalitres per hectare of water used through the summer. This resulted in a Water Use Efficiency (WUE) of 2.47 tonnes per ML of water.
The crop was sown following an oaten hay crop which was strip tilled and sown at a rate of 95,000 seeds per hectare at 30 inch (76.2cm) spacings. Following the harvest of the oaten hay crop and prior to sowing dairy manure was broadcast across the paddock at around 285 m3/ha.
300kg/ha of Urea was deep banded and 200 kg/ha of MAP applied at planting. In addition, 80 litres/ha of the SLTEC Corn PopupTM was applied at sowing. During the season a further 300 litres/ha of UAN was applied to the crop.
Post sowing but pre-emergent 2 kg/ha of Atrazine and 2 l/ha of DualGold® were applied to control weeds with a further 1 kg/ha of Atrazine applied early post-emergent. During the season the maize was fertigated with 300 l/ha of UAN, with applications occurring over a 3 week period either side of tasselling.
Insect pest pressure was low during the season. During the season Zeal® was applied at 350 ml/ha to control mites, along with Gemstar® at 500 ml/ha at tasselling. These insecticides were applied via helicopter. No foliar fungicides were applied to the crop.
Tim Anderson from Advanced Ag monitored the crop during the season and provided agronomic advice to Nick.
The second highest yield of 18.77 t/ha was obtained by Craig Reynolds from Congupna in Northern Victoria. This crop was sown on the 16/11/2020 using P1467, immediately following an oaten hay crop. Harvest occurred on the 2/6/2021. This crop was planted with an 85:15 mix of DAP/SOP at a rate of 410 kg/ha. 6.5 ML/ha of water was applied to the crop via flood irrigation. ( WUE 2.88 t/ML).
Story courtesy Maize Association of Australia Winter 2020 Magazine