Sorghum / Maize
Sorghum and maize have become increasingly popular with New Zealand farmers and growers during the last decade.
Below are the various options of Maize and Sorghum available within New Zealand.
Maize
(Sowing Rates: 80 000 / 100 000 plants per hectare)
Maize can be grown for either as silage or grain crop. Maize silage is a proven cost effective, high value, high carbohydrate forage that is the perfect partner for pasture whereas Maize grain is used extensively throughout New Zealand in animal feeds (poultry, pork and ruminant), for starch extraction and for human consumption (e.g. corn flakes, corn chips).
Cultivars from:
Corson Maize
Pioneer
Sorghum / Millet
(Sowing Rates: 25 kilograms per hectare)
Sorghum is a term incorrectly used to cover summer forage crops more correctly called Forage Hybrids.
Grown in warmers areas of New Zealand Forage Hybrids produce high quality, high yielding summer feed for either grazing or silage in dairy, beef and sheep farming situations.
Cultivars:
Bettagraze: Bettergraze is a drought tolerant sorghum x sudan grass hybrid that is proven to produce high yields. Graze Bettagraze or harvest and store it as silage or hay as a dependable feed when you need it most.
Japanese Millet: High performance Forage. Multiple grazing’s or cuts for silage (3 – 4 cuts )
Recommended sowing rate of 25 -30kg per hectare sown down or broadcast.
Cheap to establish best in cultivated area. Competes with weed, lower growing costs little or no chemicals needed. First cut or grazing approximately 45 -60 days. Grows feed for when you need it in the Summer. Great for Milking Cows or Beef Cattle.
Super sweet sudan (SSS): Ideal for grazing, new Super Sweet Sudan (SSS) has superfine stems and a prolific tillering habit. High quality small seed means you sow less kilograms on every hectare. Leaves are superfine and super sweet making SSS an excellent choice for silage or hay. Highly palatable at all stages of growth.
Minimum soil temperature for sowing is 17 degrees, Ideal temperature is 20 degrees.
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