Brought to you by: Limagrain
Corn growers choose earlier varieties
Now that the maize seed deliveries have been completed, we can take stock of the 2018 maize variety selection. "The acreage in the Netherlands is expected to be about 3% smaller this year than last year. We also see growers taking into account next year's legislation and opting for earlier maize varieties," reports Jos Groot Koerkamp of maize breeder Limagrain.
The maize growers on the sand and loess soils must have a catch crop in the maize country by 2019 October from 1 onwards. This can be done by under-sowing or by harvesting the maize in September. On most plots of sandy and loess soil, this is perfectly possible with (very) early maize varieties.
"We see in our sales that many growers want to experience this during this growing season. This year, over 40% of the maize acreage in the Netherlands has been sown with LG varieties. From our Dutch breeding program for silage maize, we have traditionally been good at early ripening, harvest-reliable maize varieties. with a high yield potential. The best early varieties on the Variety List are not even inferior in yield to mid-early varieties."
Seed disinfection
Another major change in maize cultivation (which may also take effect in 2019) is the elimination of Mesurol and Sonido seed disinfectants. In the second half of this year, these funds will be ready for European re-registration. "Due to the growing resistance to neonicotinoids in Brussels, Limagrain has spent years working on a non-chemical seed coating. This year we have this STARCOVER coating introduced and growers can see the result in practice."
