Essential tips for determining the value of shredded maize

Take yield into account

The yield of maize has a big impact on the cost price per tonne. In the table below, we have compared three notional prices for shredded maize with three possible yields. This shows that the total cost price of shredded maize in this example ranges from €38 per tonne to €90 per tonne. It is therefore essential to estimate yields accurately if you want to buy maize.

How can you estimate yield correctly?

• Weigh 10 cobs picked in succession and multiply this weight by 8000. This gives an estimate of the cob yield per hectare.

• Weigh 10 random plants and multiply this weight also by 8000. This gives an estimate of plant yield per acre.

• Add both estimates together to get an approximation of the total yield. If it is not possible to weigh plants, if the plant-to-cob ratio is 50-50, you can double the cob weight.

• Take into account the dry matter content at the time of weighing.

Take quality into account

The amount of starch that later-sown maize will yield remains uncertain and depends on weather conditions in October and the FAO sown. However, the starch content determines much of the quality and hence the value of a hectare of maize.

• Early sown good maize: 15 tonnes DS/ha x 340 grams of starch = 5100 kg starch/ha

• Late-sown maize: 11 tonnes DS/ha x 280 grams of starch = 3080 kg starch/ha

• Difference between early and late sown maize: 2020 kg starch/ha

• To correct this starch: 3150 kg of maize meal should be purchased.

So there is a big difference in feed value between good maize with a high starch content and later sown maize that may have a lower starch content. This difference in quality is an important point to consider when buying shredded maize.