Northland:

Maize grain harvesting continues and is now about 50% completed for the season. Yields continue to be about 2t/ha above average, and in the 12-14+ t/ha range. Moistures are falling rapidly and most are now around 17%. Grain quality is excellent, as are current harvesting conditions.

Waikato:

Maize grain harvesting continues as moistures fall more rapidly; many crops are now below 20% moisture. Yields vary as to where rainfall did or did not fall, but generally have been average (10-11t/ha) to slightly above average (12+ t/ha). While the perennial problem of grain dryer availability and/or storage continues, the harvest is still ahead of previous years.

At harvesting, FAR suggests that growers be on the lookout for notifiable problem weeds such as Noogoora bur, alligator weed, and velvetleaf.

Bay of Plenty:

Like Waikato, maize grain harvesting has progressed and is now about 25% completed.

Yields are better than last season and generally around 11t/ha. Moistures have fallen rapidly this season and are currently about 18-19% moisture. The grain harvest has been excellent to date, despite a few weed issues and a little lodging. Again growers are advised to be on the lookout for problem weeds while combining.

Gisborne:

Maize grain crops have been slow to dry down and harvesting progress to date has been rapid (a lot of crops still at 21% to 22% moisture). The area is now about 25% through the maize grain harvest and yields have been above average at 13 to 14 t/ha. Crops continue to stand well.

Hawke’s Bay:

The grain harvest has commenced as moistures fall, (currently 30 to 24% moisture).

Paddocks on the better soils are yielding 13 to 14t/ha with excellent grain quality. Soil conditions are now very dry, (see weather data).

Taranaki:

No further report as the maize silage season is completed.

Manawatu:

Maize grain moistures have been falling rapidly with the drier weather and are now generally below 20%. Grain harvesting continues at pace and is about 50% completed. Yields are average, ranging between 8 and 13 t/ha with excellent grain quality. Like many other areas, the season is two or three weeks ahead of average and harvest may well be all over in two or three weeks' time.

Wairarapa:

Like other areas, Hawkes Bay the area is very dry and the season is much earlier than normal. Maize grain harvesting has commenced as moistures are falling quite rapidly to below 20%. Yields are 12 to 15 t/ha.

Canterbury:

Unlike other areas, maize silage maturity (dry down) and harvesting has been slow, and the area is still only about 50% completed for the season. Yields are about average at around 20tDM/ha. Weather permitting, harvest should be completed in the next fortnight.