Maize Better Value Now Than Ever Before
Maize crops will be an integral part of the profitable expansion in the Dairy and Beef sectors
| Maize with Plastic | Maize No Plastic | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per tonne of DM fed | €199 | €173 |
| Crop Dry Matter % assumed | 30% | 28% |
| Fresh Yield required to break even (tonnes/acre) | 15.2 | 12.9 |
| Production Cost per acre (excluding land cost) | €976 | €713 |
Maize Varieties suitable for growing with plastic cover (Covered)
Maize Recommended List 2026 (Covered)
LG31207
Super performance on farms in 2023, 2023, 2024 & 2025
✔︎ Has completed four years of DAFM plastic-covered trials in 2020 – 2025
✔︎ Expected Performance relative to RL varieties is shown in the table
✔︎ Medium Maturity and Suits most growing sites
✔︎ Impressive looking crop with great height and bulk
✔︎ Yield comparable to late maturing varieties
✔︎ Excellent starch level at 104% of controls
| Variety | Yield of Dry Matter (t/ha) | Relative Starch Content % | Dry Matter Content % | Maturity | Height (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG31.207 | 105 | 104 | 102 | Medium | 2.6 |
| EMELEEN | 106 | 102 | 105 | Medium | 2.6 |
| AMBITION | 89 | 118 | 111 | Early | 2.2 |
| SAXON | 95 | 111 | 112 | Early | 2.2 |
AMBITION
✔︎ Best variety for Early Maturity and Starch Content
✔︎ Highest Starch Content and excellent Starch yield
✔︎ Suitable for moderate sites or for early harvest on good sites
Maize Varieties suitable for growing without plastic cover 2026 (Uncovered)
Expected performance of varieties based on Goldcrop & DAFM variety trials
| Variety | Relative Yield of Dry Matter | Relative Starch Content % | Relative Dry Matter Content % | Height (m) | Data Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAXON | 110 | 96 | 98 | 2.50 | DAFM trials (2yr) & Goldcrop trials |
| FOXTROT | 109 | 95 | 99 | 2.50 | DAFM trials (1yr) & Goldcrop trials |
| AMBITION | 104 | 105 | 100 | 2.30 | DAFM trials (6yrs) & Goldcrop trials |
| DUKE | 100 | 106 | 103 | 2.20 | DAFM trials in 2023 and 2024 |
AMBITION
✔︎ Tried and tested variety
✔︎ Being grown in the open for the past 10 years
✔︎ Best performer in that time for yield and starch
FOXTROT
✔︎ Excellent performance on farms in 2022 – 2025
✔︎ Best performer in Goldcrop trials
✔︎ Super yield with high starch.
SAXON
✔︎ Has three years done in DAFM trials with good performance
✔︎ Yield similar to Ambition
✔︎ Impressive looking crop with good bulky appearance
DUKE
✔︎ New for 2025
✔︎ Early Medium maturity with high starch content
✔︎ Completed 3 years in DAFM trials in 2023, 2024 and 2025
✔︎ Best variety for moderate sites sue to earliness and starch yield
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Maize Husbandry
Site Selection
The ideal maize field will be well sheltered, warm with good deep soil, south facing, well drained and less than 100m over sea level. As the site moves away from this ideal field you need to use earlier maturing varieties or consider using plastic. Avoid compacted soils. Maximum height over sea level is 120m.
Rotation
Maize can be grown continuously in the same field. Weed control costs tend to increase and fungal disease attacks becomes more likely with continuous maize cropping but these challenges can be overcome.
Seedbed Prep
Till as for potatoes or sugar beet. A deep fine firm seedbed produced with a minimum number of passes is required for fast and uniform germination. Make sure to avoid compaction. Where compaction is a problem, subsoiling will be required and this can only be done when soils are dry.
Sowing period
Not too early and not too late. Maize is a slow starter and needs good growing conditions so wait until soil temperatures are over 8°C. It also needs every day of the Irish growing season to produce good yields of high-quality silage so don’t delay sowing.
With Plastic
Sow from April 5th on good warm sites and the best response from plastic will generally be achieved from sowings before April 25th
Without Plastic
Sow from April 15th on good warm sites. The best crop will generally come from sowing done before May 10th.
Seeding rates
Seeds are precision drilled usually in 75-80cm rows and at 4-6cm depth. Under plastic generally sow in 80cm rows and 100,000 seeds per hectare (40,000 per acre). In the open sow in 75cm rows and 110,000 seeds per hectare (44,000 per acre). Later maturing varieties will benefit from the lower seed rates, starch levels and dry matter % will be improved.
| Soil Index for NPK | Index 1 | Index 2 | Index 3 | Index 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen | 180kg/ha (144units/ac) | 140kg/ha (112units/ac) | 110kg/ha (88units/ac) | 75kg/ha (60units/ac) |
| Phosphorus | 70kg/ha (56units/ac) | 50kg/ha (40units/ac) | 40kg/ha (32units/ac) | 0kg/ha (0units/ac) |
| Potash | 250kg/ha (200units/ac) | 225kg/ha (180units/ac) | 190kg/ha (152units/ac) | 80kg/ha (64units/ac) |
Lime
Maize needs a pH level of 6.0 – 7.0 and soil analysis should be carried out before each crop.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser applications should be in line with the Nitrates Directive
NPK can be applied as organic (slurry or FYM ploughed down) or chemical fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer is best applied prior to the last cultivation. Top dressing N after emergence should be avoided as it can cause crop scorch. It is recommended when sowing maize to combine drill a Phosphorus fertilizer, and possibly some Nitrogen and trace elements.
Weed Control
Maize will not compete with weeds so effective control is essential. Control scutch and docks with Glyphosate before ploughing
| Product | Rate per ha | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Calaris | 1.0 - 1.5 ltr | Under plastic - apply in a tank mix at sowing In the open - apply at 4 to 6 leaf stage of maize. Contact activity with residual activity for up to 6 weeks |
| Stomp Aqua | 3.3 ltr | Mainly residual activity. Needs soil moisture for best effect. |
| Wing – P | 4 ltr | Apply pre emergence to 4 leaf stage. Best option for crops grown under plastic. |
| Accent | 40 -60 gm | Used mainly for grass weed control. Use up to 6 leaf stage of maize. Some variety restrictions on use. |
| Hurler | 0.75 - 1.0 ltr | Apply from 3rd leaf stage of maize onwards. Generally used for late control of volunteer potatoes. |
| Dow Shield 100 | 1.0 - 2.0 ltr | Used mainly for control of thistles in maize. |
Trace elements
Magnesium, Zinc and Manganese are the most important. Carry out soil analysis to identify likely deficiencies. Trace elements can be applied at drilling in starter fertiliser, this is recommended where severe deficiencies exist. Otherwise, apply foliar trace elements from the 4 leaf stage.
Pest problems
All seed should be treated with a bird repelant – Korit
Wireworm:
In fields where wireworm is likely to be a problem seed can be ordered treated with a systemic insecticide e.g. Sonido.
Slugs:
They feed on the leaves and stems and can do a lot of damage. Broadcast slug pellets at first sign of damage.
Leatherjackets:
Roots and stems are attacked and plants killed.
Cutworms:
Occasionally cause problems in coastal areas and can cause lodging.
Rabbits:
Shooting, trapping and Rabbit Bait are moderately effective. Where numbers are very high put up a wire fence.
Disease
Disease is not generally a widespread problem in maize. However in wet seasons and particularly in coastal areas a disease called Kabatiella (commonly known as eyespot) can cause premature senescence of the leaves. “Eyespot” spores can be carried over on maize trash or stubble from the previous year. A fungicide can be applied preventatively before the maize crop gets too tall to drive through and this lessens the severity of the disease. Helminthosporuim and Fusarium are diseases of less significance which can occur in wet seasons.
Harvesting & Storage Information
Aim to harvest the crop at 28 – 32% dry matter and 25% plus starch (usually in Oct). The harvester should have a grain cracker. Fill the clamp quickly and compact well. Consider using an additive when crop dry matter is over 30% to avoid pit face heating at feed out. Reduce pit surface waste by applying salt at 3kg/m2 on the top and 6kg/m2 on the sides and shoulders of the pit. Roll the pit after salt has been applied. Cover with two polythene sheets to exclude air completely and weigh it down well. Leave the pit sealed for at least two weeks before opening. Protect the clamp from birds and rats.
Feeding Information
Maize silage is a high energy low protein forage feed. It is an excellent feed for milking cows and fattening beef animals. Diets with maize silage must be properly balanced for protein, minerals and fibre and nutritional advice should be sought if in doubt.