The AIMI New Zealand survey of maize areas and volumes, October 31 2020 has been released.
Key points
Final average yields of maize grain were 11.7 t/ha*, similar to last season (11.7 t/ha) whereas final average yields of maize silage (20.3 t dry matter (DM)/ha) for the 2020 NZ harvest were slightly down on the 2019 NZ harvest (21.4 t DM/ha).
Maize grain
The estimated final total tonnage of 182,000 tonnes for the 2020 NZ harvest was 7% down on last season’s harvest tonnage (196,000 t), as the result of a similar yield from a reduced harvest area (down 7%). An estimated 100% of the total crop had been sold as at October 31, 2020 (as compared to 600 tonnes unsold on June 1, 2020, and 5,900 tonnes unsold on 31 October last year, 2019). Note that stocks held by merchants are not considered here.
Spring 2020 sowings and sowing intentions as at 31 October, 2020, were estimated to be down 12% on the area harvested last season. Sowing was 87% complete as at October 31, 2020. An estimated 83% of the 2021 maize grain harvest had been forward sold as at October 31, 2020.
Maize silage
The estimated final total tonnage of 1,182,500 tonnes DM for the 2020 NZ harvest was down 1% compared to last season’s harvest tonnage (1,195,600 t DM), as the result of a reduced yield (down 5%) from a slightly higher harvest area (up 4%).
Spring 2020 sowings and sowing intentions as at 31 October, 2020 were estimated to be down 6% on the area harvested last season. Sowing was 72% complete as at October 31, 2020. An estimated 84% of the 2021 maize silage harvest had been forward sold as at October 31, 2020. This figure includes 46% of the maize silage harvest destined “for own use".