First French silage maize already out of the country in mid-August

Under normal circumstances the aim is to start ensiling when the level of 32% to 33% dry matter has been reached. However, due to the drought and heat of recent weeks, there is, according to Arvalis a big chance that this level is reached sooner. This means, among other things, that the start of the silage maize harvest in northeastern France, in the Lorraine region and part of Champagne-Ardenne, has been brought forward by 5 days.

Arvalis already expects this in these areas before August 20 the harvest of silage maize can start, while in the estimate of half Juli a start after August 25 was still assumed. The harvest has also been brought forward in the 'Pays de la Loire' region. Arvalis expects that work can start in this area between August 21 and 25.

Last corn from Brittany
The research agency also predicts that in Nord-Pas-de-Calais a start can even be made 1 week earlier. According to Arvalis, the harvest of silage maize can start there between August 31 and September 4, while the first estimate still assumed a start between September 10 and September 14.

The last silage maize is expected to be harvested in the areas of Brittany and Normandy, because according to Arvalis, harvesting can only start there after September 20. For these 2 areas the forecast has hardly been adjusted. The institute will publish a final forecast in early August.