Early harvest of silomais in 2025 results in diminished yields and poor prices for this crop
In the agricultural sector of Germany, farmers are gearing up for an early and smaller silage maize harvest this year. The equilibrium price calculation for silage corn is based on production costs, but the price is ultimately determined by supply and demand.
Due to the lack of a comprehensive market for silage corn, buyers and sellers must calculate their own negotiating room. This situation is further complicated by the early maturity of silage maize crops in coastal areas, where the probe for determining maturity may not be necessary.
The early start of the harvest is attributed to the weather conditions of the past months, particularly in western Germany where the usable field capacity is below 30%. As a result, the TS contents in the cobs of early varieties of silage maize in southern and eastern Lower Saxony are already at 45% by August 19th, indicating an early maturity.
Normally developed stands without significant drought influences achieve a TS content in the silages of around 32% at the physiological stage, with higher TS contents expected for cob-accentuated varieties or high-cut. To avoid missing the optimal harvest time of 32 - 35% TS for silage maize, farms should closely monitor their stocks.
German farmers are expected to harvest significantly less silage maize in 2025 compared to the previous year, due to a decrease in cultivation area and weather-related lower yields. The harvest volume in 2025 is expected to be 84 million tonnes, compared to around 91 million tonnes in the previous year.
The 2025 silage maize harvest shows an earlier harvest by about 10 days from the Baltic Sea to Saxony, but with regional delays in maturity. However, specific data comparing the harvest size to the previous year, taking into account yields and reduction in cultivation area in Europe, is not directly detailed in the available sources.
In addition to the smaller harvest, silage corn, grain corn, and wheat prices are currently below last year's levels. Both wheat and grain corn prices are under significant pressure, having fallen by about 50 euros per tonne since the beginning of the year.
The equilibrium price for high-quality silage corn, calculated using the LWK Lower Saxony corn price calculator, is around 24 euros/t FM or 1,200 euros/ha (gross), based on a wheat price of 17 euros/dt (net) and a silage corn yield of 50 t of fresh matter per hectare with a dry matter content of 34%.
Despite the challenges facing the silage maize harvest this year, farmers are urged to carefully monitor their crops and make informed decisions to ensure a successful harvest.
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