Maize
for 2026
Growing maize to produce more on-farm feed gives farmers greater control, consistency, and cost efficiency within their forage system.
Maize delivers high energy density and excellent starch content, supporting improved milk yields and animal performance while reducing reliance on bought-in feeds.
Producing feed on farm helps protect against volatile feed prices, improves ration stability, and strengthens overall farm resilience.
Maize also fits well into many crop rotations, offering flexibility in harvesting and storage.
Last year's maize season proved challenging across much of the UK. Drought and record heat led to harvesting starting up to three weeks
earlier than normal in many regions. Dry, windy conditions in September caused rapid increases in crop dry matter, meaning crops often needed checking three times per week to time harvest correctly.
Yields varied significantly nationwide, with some farms seeing 20–30%
reductions. Insufficient rainfall also forced many growers to increase
spending on feed and silage, creating notable financial pressure.
earlier than normal in many regions. Dry, windy conditions in September caused rapid increases in crop dry matter, meaning crops often needed checking three times per week to time harvest correctly.
Yields varied significantly nationwide, with some farms seeing 20–30%
reductions. Insufficient rainfall also forced many growers to increase
spending on feed and silage, creating notable financial pressure.
Grainseed Maize Varieties
Ideal regions
Ultra Early Maize
| Varieties | |
|---|---|
| Faith | ES Myrdal |
| 1200 1249 Maize Heat Units | |
| Varieties enable growers to achieve successful silage crops even in marginal areas. |
|
| Gives flexibility to growers in favourable areas for early harvest, double cropping or optimum entry into autumn crops. |
|
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Ideal regions
Extra Early Maize
| Varieties | |
|---|---|
| Bonnie | Emeleen |
| ES Constance | Crosbey |
| Justice | Justice Wesley |
| Revelation | |
| 1250 – 1299 Maize Heat Units. | |
| The principle maturity group used by existing growers. |
|
| Allows growers to maximise yield and quality on a regular basis. |
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Ideal regions
Long Season Maize
| Varieties | |
|---|---|
| Micheleen | ES Metronom |
| Jakleen | |
| 1300 + Maize Heat Units. | |
| Varieties with good disease resistance and long harvest window, essential where large areas are grown and harvest occurs over 4 – 6 weeks. |
|
| Allows growers to increase yield by utilising the full growing season. |
|
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Grainseed Maize Varieties for 2026
- Faith & Myrdal – High forage yields in the early maturity slot
- Bonnie – Exceptional feed quality; ideal for high-genetic cows producing 11,000+ litres, supporting higher intake and milk output
- Emeleen – Massive yields with good cob ripeness on mainstream sites
- Wesley – Higher yielding than Emeleen, better drought tolerance, strong eyespot and smut resistance; suitable for forage or grain
- Jakleen – Over 20t DM/ha on high heat-unit sites; pairs well with the stable and reliable Metronom