Corn is dry and extreme temperature differences

The drought is making itself felt on a number of plots of grass and silage maize in the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour† The emergence of maize and fodder beets differs per area, but the grass growth also varies. Are the dairy farmers participating in the Roughage Tour already irrigating?

The moisture deficiency varies per area. The precipitation deficit applies nationally, but due to the differences in soil type, the amount of moisture available for the grass and maize does vary. Below in the image an overview of the moisture shortages in the Netherlands.

Extreme temperature difference
The temperature between day and night differs in some cases extremely. At night the temperature drops to freezing during the day - with generally strong sun - this temperature shoots up again. 

On the left in the image you can see the large temperature difference at Silvain Kusters in Guttecoven (L). There is a difference of more than 20 degrees between day and night. At Robert Welhuis in Wapse (Dr.) the minimum temperature of 1 degree still shows almost night frost. That while the temperature during the day is well above 20 degrees.

Corn is dry
There is also some uncertainty among dairy farmers due to the drought. This is now well established in some plots. At Jandirk Ubbels in Jelsum (Fr) maize was sown fourteen days ago. The seeds are too dry in the field, so they have not yet germinated. The maize seed has germinated at Roel Assies in Zeewolde (FL). He expects the first shoots to emerge one of these days. Assies indicates when the emergence of this is so low that the plot is still irrigated. Its facilities for irrigation are good, surface water can be extracted from the draft.

The maize at Frank Rooker in Aartwoud (NH) just out of the ground. Rooker does not yet speak of drought on his plots.

At Jandirk Ubbels in Jelsum (Fr) the maize seed has been lying around for 14 days and does not germinate.

The grass at Rooker from Aartswoud (NH), which was mowed on April 26, is growing back well. According to him, the grass has not suffered much from the drought.

At Joost van Nostrum in Sint-Oedenrode (NB) manure was applied on the grassland on Saturday 7 May. Van Nostrum immediately started irrigating the grassland.

Robert Welhuis in Wapse (Dr.) indicates that the emergence of fodder beets in various places is not sufficient. He therefore decides to water the fodder beets to improve the emergence. Incidentally, Welhuis does indicate that the maize does not yet suffer from moisture shortages.

The maize at Silvain Kusters in Guttecoven (L) is growing well. Kusters indicates that there is still sufficient moisture for the crop at the moment.

Sander Vijverberg in Strijen (ZH) indicates that the maize is not yet dehydrated, but the grassland is a different story. The plot shows nice drought marks. Vijverberg will therefore start irrigating the grassland this week. He also states that he has the luxury of having sufficient surface water in the ditch for irrigation.

Reuben van der Maas

Intern at the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour

r.vandermaas@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.