The objective of this AIMI survey of maize growers in New Zealand (NZ) was to determine: the size of the 2022 NZ harvest of maize grain and maize silage the percentage of the 2022 NZ maize harvest which was sold as at June 1, 2022 sowing intentions for the spring of 2022
Key points:
- The average yield of maize grain (11.6 t/ha) for the 2022 NZ harvest was slightly down on last season (at 12.0 t/ha). The average yield of maize silage (21.0 t dry matter (DM)/ha) for the 2022 NZ harvest was also slightly down on last season (at 21.2 t DM/ha). (Note these are New Zealand averages and there will be differences across regions).
- The New Zealand maize grain harvest was 83% complete as at June 1, 2022 which was slightly earlier than normal (over the previous nine years, the average was 78% complete). The estimated total tonnage of 195,900 tonnes (including unharvested grain) was down on last season’s harvest tonnage (down 6%), as a result of a reduced yield (down 3%) from a reduced harvest area (down 3%). Most (96.7%) of the total crop had been sold, leaving 5,600 tonnes unsold, as held by growers, as at June 1, 2022 (as compared to 700 and 600 tonnes at the same time last year and the previous year, respectively, and much higher tonnages at the same time in all of the six previous years). (Note that the quantity of maize grain held by merchants has not been determined in this survey). Spring 2022 sowing intentions as at June 1, 2022 were estimated to be 11% higher than last season.
- The New Zealand maize silage harvest was 99% complete as at June 1, 2022 which was normal (over the previous nine years, the average was 99% complete). The estimated total tonnage of 1,202,800 tonnes DM was up 2% compared to last season’s harvest, as the result of a lower yield (down 1%) from an increased harvest area (up 3%). About 68% of the total silage crop had been sold or used, leaving 390,200 tonnes DM unused/unsold as at June 1, 2022 (as compared to 477,000 tonnes DM at the same time last year, and 390,400, 456,000, 349,000, 456,700, 365,100 and 457,600 tonnes DM at the same time in the six previous years). Spring 2022 sowing intentions as at June 1, 2022 were similar to last season (down 2%).