Data from 62 survey farms who completed all of the last three maize surveys (October 2016 and June and October 2017) were scaled up to the national level using the most recent Agricultural Production Statistics (APS) which provided final 2016 data on harvest hectares of maize grain and maize silage, and harvest tonnes of maize grain. (Maize grown for green feed was not included in this survey. In the final 2016 APS data, maize green feed made up about 14% of total harvest hectares of maize, as compared to 62% for maize silage and 24% for maize grain.)

Final average yields of maize grain (10.2 t/ha) and maize silage (18.9 t DM/ha) for the 2017 harvest were down on last season (at 11.7 t/ha and 21.1 t DM/ha respectively).

For maize grain, the estimated final total tonnage of 161,000 tonnes was down 23% on last season’s harvest tonnage (210,300 t), as the result of a lower yield (down 13%) from a 12% lower harvest area. An estimated 99.9% of the total crop had been sold, leaving 200 tonnes unsold as at 31 October 2017 (as compared to 18,800 tonnes on 1 June 2017, and 1,500 tonnes on 31 October last year, 2016). Sales under pre-harvest contract were similar to the previous year, and there was a decrease in sales at a spot/free price. Spring 2017 sowings and sowing intentions as at 31 October, 2017 were an estimated 29% up on last season. However, sowing was only 59% complete as at 31 October 2017, which was a reflection of wet conditions in many areas.

For maize silage, the estimated final total tonnage of 901,200 tonnes DM was down 9% compared to last season’s harvest tonnage (988,600 t), as the result of a lower yield (down 10%) from an increased harvest area (1% up). Spring 2017 sowings and sowing intentions as at 31 October, 2017 were up 5% on last season. Sowing was 61% complete as at 31 October 2017, which was again a reflection of wet conditions in many areas.

Many survey respondents commented that sowing had been delayed by wet weather. As at 31 October, 2017, only 61% of the total maize crop had been sown, with 27,700 ha of a total area of 70,300 ha left to sow.

Since the June 2017 survey, overall sowing intentions for maize have changed little (up 1%).

As with all surveys, there is a margin of error which needs to be considered in relation to this report. These figures reflect the position at 31 October 2017 and there will have been changes since this time.

Source: FAR