This AIMI survey of maize growers provides details of the 2023 New Zealand maize grain and silage harvest, along with sowing intentions for the coming year.
The objective of this AIMI survey of maize growers in New Zealand (NZ) was to determine, as at June 1, 2023:
- The size of the 2023 New Zealand maize grain and maize silage harvest.
- The percentage of the 2023 New Zealand maize harvest which was sold as at June 1, 2023.
- Sowing intentions for the spring of 2023.
Key points as at 1 June 2023
- Most of New Zealand experienced a very wet growing season. Above average rainfall and a tropical cyclone caused flooding and wind damage in the North Island, with some crops completely destroyed. The average yield of maize grain for the 2023 NZ harvest, at 9.7 t/ha (including estimates for the crops yet to be harvested), was down on last season (at 11.5 t/ha). The average yield of maize silage (19.0 t dry matter (DM)/ha) for the 2023 NZ harvest was also down on last season (at 20.9 t DM/ha). (Note that these are averages across New Zealand and there will be differences across regions, especially in cyclone effected areas).
- The NZ maize grain harvest was 63% complete as at June 1, 2023 which was less than normal (ten-year average was 79% complete), and some of the unharvested area may not be harvestable due to continued wet weather, which means NZ tonnages could be over-estimates. The estimated total tonnage of 164,400 tonnes (including unharvested grain) was down on last season’s harvest tonnage (down 13%), as a result of a reduced yield (down 16%) from an increased harvest area (up 4%). Most (89.8%) of the total crop had been sold, leaving 16,700 tonnes unsold, as held by growers, as at June 1, 2023, though most of the unsold tonnage was unharvested as at this date. This compared to 5,600 tonnes unsold at the same time last year, and higher unsold tonnages at the same time in five of the eight previous years. (Note that the quantity of maize grain held by merchants has not been determined in this survey). Spring 2023 sowing intentions as at June 1, 2023 were estimated to be 12% lower than last season.
- The NZ maize silage harvest was 99.7% complete as at June 1, 2023 which was normal. The estimated total tonnage of 1,051,600 tonnes DM was down 7% compared to last season’s harvest, as the result of a lower yield (down 9%) from an increased harvest area (up 3%). About 65% of the total silage crop had been sold or used, leaving 363,100 tonnes DM unused/unsold as at June 1, 2023 (as compared to 390,200 tonnes DM at the same time last year, and 477,000, 390,400, 456,000, 349,000, 456,700 and 365,100 tonnes DM at the same time in the six previous years). Spring 2023 sowing intentions as at June 1, 2023 were similar to last season (down 3%).