Cambridge, United Kingdom
September 3, 2004
Improving early variety yield is the theme of this year's
NIAB Recommended List of forage maize varieties.
Don Pendergrast, NIAB's
maize specialist, says "We've added a total of 15 new varieties,
and although we've made a reduction in the overall number of
listings, the grower still has a comprehensive selection of
varieties available for particular locations."
"Prospects for this season look good in many areas,
despite the weather. Cob formation in many crops appears to be
very good, although growers must expect a later harvest than
last year, with crops looking at least two to three weeks behind
in development," he comments.
"If weather conditions remain reasonably dry throughout
September, growers can expect a good quality crop in the clamps
for the winter, although if wet conditions persist, soil
conditions could become difficult for those harvesting well into
October."
Plant breeders have been making good progress in bringing
forward earlier varieties and this has suited British farmers,
with the acreage presently at 100,000 hectares. The new
varieties represent a continuing stride forward in producing
earlier material with improving yields. However, those looking
to maximise yield still need to opt for later maturing
varieties.
"We now have 10 medium early types on the List, while
first choice for early favourable sites number 43 and those for
early less favourable sites 38," adds Mr Pendergrast.
The new NIAB Livestock Crop pocket book will be published
shortly, containing the maize lists, plus those for grasses and
clovers. This year, the booklet contains valuable additional
information, including grain maize, whole crop cereals, silage
management and good grass management.
The following are the new First Choice varieties on the 2005
Forage Maize Descriptive List.
Medium Early Varieties
(For maximum yield in
favourable locations).
STURDI
|
(Caussade) High yielding variety, with good early
vigour. |
|
TWENTIS |
(Grainseeds) High yielding variety with good balance of
quality characteristics. |
COMPANERO
|
(CPB Twyfords) Good yield, with good quality for medium
early variety (11.3 ME and 34.1% starch). |
Early varieties 1st choice in favourable and less
favourable locations
|
TOMAHAWK |
(Advanta) Good combination of yield, with good quality
(11.4 ME and 37.5% starch on favourable sites) and
agronomic characteristics for very early variety. |
|
TREASURE |
(Advanta) Good combination of yield, with good quality
and agronomic characteristics for very early variety.
|
|
SPARTACUS |
(Advanta) Good combination of yield, with good quality
and agronomic characteristics for Maturity class 8
variety. |
|
BONAPART |
(Advanta) High yield (107% control, Maturity Class 8 on
favourable list and 109% controls, Maturity Class 7 on
less favourable list) for early variety, with good
combination of quality and agronomic characteristic. |
|
CARUSO |
(Huntseeds) Good combination of yield, with good quality
and agronomic characteristics for Maturity class 8
variety. |
|
LG3193 |
(Nickersons) Maturity class 7, with a good combination
of yield and quality. |
|
REINALDO |
(Huntseeds) Maturity class 6, with a good combination of
yield and quality. |
|
MERIBEL |
(Huntseeds) Maturity class 6, with a good combination of
yield and quality. |
Early varieties 1st choice in favourable locations
only
(For Favourable locations requiring earlier harvest than medium
early)
|
BELOUGA |
(Maisadour) Maturity class 7, with a good combination of
yield and quality |
|
LG3214 |
(Nickersons) Maturity class 6 with a good combination
of yield and quality |
Early varieties 1st choice in less favourable
locations only
(Locations where growers first consideration is maize reaches
sufficient maturity by their normal harvest date)
|
CAMELOT |
(BSH) Very early variety, with very good quality in less
favourable locations (11.3 ME and 36.1% Starch) and good
balance of yield and agronomic characteristics. |
|
CIXXOM |
(DLF Perryfields) Maturity class 7 with a good
combination of yield and quality |
|
