Harvest Maize

As part of the LCV's Network estimation harvest date, the Trial and Training Centre is following up on the maturation of a number of maize varieties as per annual custom. As in past years, 2 plots are being monitored in northern Limburg. One plot in Oudsbergen and one in Bocholt.
Within the LCV - network, 5 varieties of varying earliness were sown at different locations.

Information plots Trial and Training Centre for Agriculture

Location 1
Bocholt
sowing date: 7 May 2025

Breeding: rye

Location 2
Oudsbergen
sowing date: 8 May 2025

Breeding: Grass (cut removed)

Dry matter content whole plant at the 2 sites

Bocholt

Oudsbergen

LCV news release (08/09/2025)

Samples were taken at six sites on 4 September. Indeed, 4 locations have already been harvested. As further locations were, or will be, harvested in the coming days, this is the last message.

Average dry matter is 37.8% and increased by 3% across the six sites. The earliest varieties in the network (P7179, KWS Curacao and LG32257) are well above 35% dry matter. SY Opale shows a dry matter percentage of 36.3% and SY Frejya 34.1%.

At the later sown locations like Oudsbergen and St Niklaas, it is noticeable that there too, the later varieties are chop-ready.

When 2025 is compared with the other years, it appears that across all varieties and locations (except ultra-early varieties) that the maize matured significantly earlier. In 2025, a dry matter percentage of 35% was achieved on average around week 35, or about 19 weeks after sowing. This was also the case in 2022. In the other years, it was about 2-3 weeks later.

The start of maize year 2025 went smoothly and sufficiently high temperatures meant growth was prosperous. After a while, the persistent drought, combined with the warmer weather, nevertheless played tricks. Initially, drought-prone plots showed that plants were struggling. But even on somewhat wetter plots, the effects of drought could be seen after a while. At harvest, therefore, there appear to be many differences between, but also within, plots. The silage analyses will soon reveal the quality of the harvested maize. We wish you another successful harvest and quality silage. Next year, you can count on us again!