The 2021 maize planting campaign is just around the corner and growers are once again deciding what varieties to grow this year.

This year’s recommended list sees the addition of no new varieties.

However, the variety P7932 has been removed from the list since 2020 primarily due to availability of seed.

Below are this year’s recommended covered and uncovered recommended varieties.

Recommended list of covered forage maize 2021

Ambition (R): This is the lowest yielding variety on the list but has the highest starch content. It has extremely high dry matter content and is an extremely early maturing variety. It is suitable for late sowing and/or early harvest particularly on marginal sites. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

Konfluens (R): This is a very high-yielding variety with good starch content. Dry matter content is also good and it is a medium maturing variety. Irl Agent: DLF Seeds.

LG30211 (R): This variety has a moderate yield with good starch content. Dry matter content is good. It is a medium-maturing variety. Irl Agent: DLF Seeds

LG31235 (R): It is a high-yielding variety with good starch content. Dry matter content is good and it is a medium-maturing variety. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

P8200 (R): It is a very high-yielding variety. It has the lowest starch content on the list. It has moderate dry matter content and is a medium-maturing variety. Bred by Pioneer.

P8201 (R): This is the highest yielding variety on the list. It has high starch content. Dry matter content is good and it is a medium-maturing variety. Bred by Pioneer.

Spyci CS (R): This is a moderate-yielding variety with high starch content. Dry matter content is high and it is an early-medium maturing variety. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

SY Feeditop (R): This is a moderate-yielding variety and has very high starch content. It has high dry matter content and is an early-medium maturing variety. Bred by Syngenta. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

Recommended list (2015) of uncovered forage maize varieties

The data is based on results of trials carried out over three years in the period 2012 to 2014.

* The control varieties were Beethoven, Beacon and Destiny in 2013 trials and Beethoven and Beacon in 2014 trials.

* Due to insufficient lodging occurring during the trial period 2012 to 2014, it was not possible to provide varietal lodging data.

(R): Recommended for general use. (PR): Provisionally recommended (The number after the PR, indicates the number of years provisionally recommended).

Activate (PR-1): Fully recommended variety in 2015. High relative yield and dry matter with very high starch content. An early-maturing variety. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

Ambition (R): Fully recommended variety in 2015. High relative yield and dry matter with very high starch content. An early-maturing variety. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

Atrium (R): Good yielding variety. It has the lowest dry matter content on the list. High starch content. Late-maturing variety. Irl Agent: Seed Technology Ltd.

Beacon (R): Good yielding variety with good dry matter content. Very high starch content. Medium-early maturing variety. Irl Agent: Goldcrop Ltd.

Beethoven (R): High yielding variety. Moderate dry matter content. Low starch content. Medium-late maturing variety. Irl Agent: Seed Technology Ltd.

Kroft (R): Below average yielding variety. Very high dry matter and exceptional starch content, the highest on the Recommended List. A very early-maturing variety and suitable for less favourable sites. Irl Agent: Seed Technology Ltd.

Severus (PR-1): First entered the list in 2015 with a provisional recommendation. Yield and dry matter are good and starch content is very high. An early maturing variety. Irl Agent: Seed Technology Ltd.