IT'S a crop that is really a forage one, but the latest results that prove the high yield potential for newest Pioneer maize variety push it into the bio-gas production bracket.

The 2020 tests from the annual Pioneer Accurate Crop Testing System trials show its newest hybrid, P7948, had impressive yields for both livestock forage and biogas production.

For farmers looking for a hybrid for 'favourable' sites this year, this variety also ticks some important boxes. A high yield and an ability to harvest early enough to avoid the vagaries of autumnal weather are often on the list, but also conflict, as an early harvest can prevent the crop yielding highly enough.

Over three years and across 18 trial sites, P7948’s dry matter yield was 12.8% above the control on favourable sites. In the same period, it was also grown under film across 11 sites where conditions were less favourable for maize.

A high silage yield was seen there too, with a DM content higher than the high DM control.

Other results in this year’s trials also showed ongoing progress for the earliest maturing varieties, P7326 and P7034. The former is attractive to farmers wanting good, early yields of high-quality silage, reaching 30% DM quickly.

Fast out of the ground, it is very reliable and can be grown in almost all conditions, including colder locations. It’s a safer option for farmers, particularly in marginal maize-growing areas and remains Pioneer’s biggest-selling variety.

The latter, is for farmers willing and able to back a variety offering benefits more commonly associated with maize grown in warmer conditions.

This is a 'dent-type' variety, producing starch easier for rumen bacteria to degrade, making energy more available to livestock. Previously, dent varieties hadn’t been bred for the cold climate of the UK, but P7034 has been bred specifically for cool, maritime conditions.