The drought and high temperatures have produced dramatic differences in the silage maize; from silage maize with a minimum length and without cob to maize with a good yield. The 'emergency harvest' is in full swing and the main harvest is planned for the end of August/beginning of September. Harvest 2018 will be special, but it doesn't stop there.
De drought has major consequences for silage maize in Belgium, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Northern Germany, Denmark, Poland and Sweden. Corn is also not doing well in parts of France. Even in the north of France, where the plots are described as mainly good, this does not appear to apply to all fields.
Emergency harvest in full swing
The 'emergency harvest' lays the foundation for a winter and spring with higher prices for silage maize. The good yields in southern Germany can do little to change that, but what is the situation in the Netherlands? Just like in Belgium, the emergency harvest is in full swing. From the start of August, maize is harvested in various places in the east and south of the country. Corn without the cob and with a limited length.
"It may be about 7 to 8 tons of dry matter," says Jos Groot Koerkamp of Limagrain. "The palatability in particular is a challenge," adds Joost Hoevenaars, consultant in East Brabant and Limburg. That is not the only challenge. Groot Koerkamp indicates that it is advisable to use a silage agent. "There is also a lot of nitrate in the desperately ripe crop. This is converted into nitrite and that can be poisonous."
The plots without cob are mainly located in the later sown plots, on higher ground. The fields are cleared to sow perennial ryegrass, which can be used to supplement the roughage supply. How extensive is the damage? Groot Koerkamp outlines that the provinces of Gelderland, Overijssel and Drenthe have been particularly affected by the drought. These are also the provinces with the largest corn acreage. He estimates that 30% to 40% of corn will produce poor to very poor yields in these provinces.
In contrast to these dramatic yields, there are irrigated plots, which offer the prospect of good yields. For the non-irrigated plots, a lot will depend on the stir that is yet to come. Based on the silage maize in Vredepeel, Groot Koerkamp estimates that the main harvest will start at the end of August/beginning of September. "Almost 1 month earlier than in 2017."
Run on grass seed
The damage is not only in the corn, but also in the grass. This is further underlined by the run on grass seed. “Dairy farmers must look closely at the roots of the grass to determine whether the grass is dead or not,” says Groot Koerkamp. In the field, the older grasslands appear to have more damage than the newer ones.
The expansion of it tearing ban gives some air. "The exemption applies until August 31, for sowing on a maximum of September 15. The derogation companies only have to report it to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl), but in return they must surrender nitrogen space."
Different rules apply to non-derogation companies. "The non-derogation companies must have a damage report drawn up, at least 25% of yield must be missing, more than 5% of the area on the total company must have damage and they must undertake mandatory sampling. RVO.nl must then grant them an exemption."
Lack of dry matter
In total, many livestock farmers miss out on between 15 and 20 tons of dry matter. There is still hope that the autumn can make things right for grass harvesting. Into trouble corn However, this does mean that the ration will look different in various places.