It said that the objective of this AIMI survey of maize growers was to determine, as at 31 October 2015:

• Final figures for the 2015 harvest of maize grain and silage;
• Sales of the 2015 harvest of maize grain since 1 June 2015;
• Levels of unsold maize grain from the 2015 harvest;
• Sowings and sowing intentions for maize for grain and silage.

In all previous AIMI surveys, APS estimates for maize grain hectares have been used in conjunction with data on maize seed sales to estimate hectares sown for maize silage, on the assumption that maize green feed accounted for only 1% of maize grown. Recently obtained APS estimates, however, show that maize green feed accounts for about 13% of maize hectares; this is taken into account in the current survey (and maize silage estimates from previous surveys have also been adjusted).

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 the 31 October 2015 and there will have been changes since this time.

Key Points as at 31 October 2015 (figures have been rounded to nearest 100):

The estimated tonnage of maize silage harvested in 2015 was 1,141,700 t DM, which was almost identical to that harvested in 2014 (1,144,900 t DM).

The estimated tonnage of maize grain harvested in 2015 was 190,400 t, which was 20% down on that harvested in 2014 (237,200 t). An estimated 13,900 t of maize grain remained unsold at 31 October 2015 (as compared to an estimated 1,600 t at the same time last year).

The area sown for maize silage, to be harvested in 2016, is forecast to be 44,500 ha, down considerably (by 14,100 ha, or 24%) on last year.

The area sown for maize grain, to be harvested in 2016, is forecast to be 17,400 ha, which is very similar to last season but down by 4000 ha on the 2014 harvest year.

At 31 October, over three quarters of the maize for both grain and silage had been sown, with 14,000 ha of a total 61,900 ha left to sow.

Since the June 2015 survey, the estimated area to be sown for maize grain has decreased by 3,800 ha while conversely, the estimated area to be sown for maize silage has increased by 3,400 ha.