This AIMI survey of maize growers provides details of the 2024 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:
- The size of the 2024 NZ harvest of maize grain and maize silage.
- The percentage of the 2024 NZ maize harvest which was sold as at June 1, 2024.
- The sowing intentions for the spring of 2024.
Key points as at 1 June 2024:
- Generally, a good growing season for many regions, compared to the wet conditions experienced last season. The average yield of maize grain (11.6 t/ha) for the 2024 NZ harvest was up on last season (at 10.2 t/ha). The average yield of maize silage (21.9 t dry matter (DM)/ha) for the 2024 NZ harvest was also up on last season (at 18.8 t DM/ha). (Note that these are averages across New Zealand and there will be differences between regions).
- The NZ maize grain harvest was 68% complete as at June 1, 2024 which was less than normal (eleven-year average was 77% complete). The estimated total tonnage of 250,700 tonnes (including unharvested grain) was up on last season’s harvest tonnage (up 30%), as a result of an increased yield (up 14%) from an increased harvest area (up 14%). Most (87.9%) of the total crop had been sold, leaving 30,400 tonnes unsold, as held by growers, as at June 1, 2024, though most of the unsold tonnage was unharvested as at this date. This compared to 16,700 tonnes unsold at the same time last year, and higher unsold tonnages at the same time in three of the nine previous years. (Note that the quantity of maize grain held by merchants has not been determined in this survey). Spring 2024 sowing intentions as at June 1, 2024 were estimated to be 27% lower than last season.
- The NZ maize silage harvest was 100% complete as at June 1, 2024 which was normal. The estimated total tonnage of 1,114,600 tonnes DM was up 9% compared to last season’s harvest, as the result of a higher yield (up 17%) from a reduced harvest area (down 6%). About 57% of the total silage crop had been sold or used, leaving 481,700 tonnes DM unused/unsold as at June 1, 2024 (as compared to 363,100 tonnes DM at the same time last year, and 390,200, 477,000, 390,400, 456,000, 349,000, 456,700 and 365,100 tonnes DM at the same time in the seven previous years). Spring 2024 sowing intentions as at June 1, 2024 were down 12% on last season.