increase font size
The latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) report estimates a 2023 maize grain harvest of 164,400 tonnes.
For many North Island maize growers, the 2022/23 season has been one to forget and for some, it has been a financial disaster.
The latest Arable Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) report estimates a 2023 maize grain harvest of 164,400 tonnes, down 13% in 2022.
Despite a 4% increase in harvest hectares, yield was down 16%.
The situation could be even more grim, says Federated Farmers Arable Vice-President Jamie Blennerhassett.
This is because as of the June 1 survey date, 37% of the crop was still unharvested, he says.
"The very wet growing season means across the wider country it has been a bad season,” says Blennerhassett. “Maize grain crops in Northland, Bay of Plenty, the East Coast and right down to the Wairarapa are only at about 50% of long-term averages.”
He says that due to persistent rainfall and then Cyclone Gabrielle in February, some crops have been wiped out, especially in the eastern region between Napier and Gisborne.
“Despite replanting two or three times, at the end, some had nothing – and much higher costs than usual as well.
“It’s pretty devastating financially for those people.”
Maize silage crops fared better. The harvest, at an estimated 1,051,600 tonnes, was down 7% compared to 2022, with a lower yield (down 9%) from an increased harvest area (up 3%). Almost all the harvest was in by June 1.
Most maize grain is sold for poultry and pig feed, with some going to dairy.
Blennerhassett says prices here are strongly linked to the cost of imported grain, and with the recent spike in world grain prices sparked by Russia’s attacks on shipments from Ukraine, "if we get dragged into those impacts the poultry guys’ costs could rise".
It’s unknown how much of the 37% of unharvested maize grain at the time of the June 1 AIMI survey has since been successfully brought in. The crop needs to be dried down for use and to keep the costs down of gas-fired drying plant.
A very poor season like this dents confidence. The AIMI report said maize grain spring sowing intentions (hectares) were 12% down on 2022 and for maize silage 3% down.
"The seed reps are saying there appears to be lower intentions to plant. A lot of the hectares in maize is land leased on year-to-year rollover and in some cases, the banks will draw a line on finance given the disastrous season some have suffered," Blennerhassett says.
"We traditionally have a south-westerly wind flow in New Zealand but with the La Niña phase we’ve been under it’s been the exact opposite, hence the heavy rainfall.
"We’re due to go back to an El Niño pattern but weather patterns have been so skew-whiff. It makes it so difficult for growers to plan."
OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.
OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.
A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.
Federated Farmers say Environment Canterbury's decision to declare a 'nitrate emergency' is a shameless political stunt that won't help anyone.
Farmers want the Government to scrap controversial freshwater rules that "put river spirits and ideology ahead of practical water use", says Federated Farmers board member Mark Hooper.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.
Tributes are pouring in from across the political divide for former Prime Minister Jim Bolger who passed away, aged 90.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…
