These webpages present the recommended list of forage maize varieties for Northern Ireland.
The trials are conducted by the Agri-Food and Biosciences institute at Crossnacreevy on behalf of the
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) for Northern Ireland. This recommended list is
designed to be an
important information resource for local growers, seed traders and also international plant breeders
hoping to develop varieties for the restricting climatic conditions in Northern Ireland. The
webpages contain the main performance characteristics of the forage maize varieties recommended for
use in Northern Ireland by DARD. These varieties have all been tested under local growing conditions
and found
capable of providing high agronomic performances consistent with the needs of Northern Ireland growers.
Varieties are selected for testing based primarily on performances in UK National
List trials, supplemented by evidence of variety performances supplied by breeders and their marketing
representatives (all listed varieties are conventionally bred). Given that Northern Ireland is a marginal
maize growing area, the varieties tested to date have been from the earlier end of the maturing range
within the forage maize crop.
The results presented in these webpages are
an accumulation of seven years preliminary trial studies in order to develop appropriate systems for
assessing varieties under Northern Ireland’s climatic conditions. This work has also provided an understanding
of how different types of varieties react to local growing conditions and management options and has
built up a sufficient quantity of results to make these recommendations possible. No varieties with
severe weaknesses in lodging or brackling, disease resistance or any other agronomic factor are recommended,
though if crops are left to ‘over mature’ then some lodging and brackling may occur. All varieties are
on the EU Common Catalogue and most are currently on the UK national list of forage maize varieties.
Seed supplies are expected to be available for all the listed varieties during 2006, though quantities
of the most sought after varieties may not always meet demand and so early selection of seed for sowing
is advised. In the majority of cases, however, suitable alternatives of a similar type are available
and in case of difficulty, guidance can be acquired from the DARD Agricultural Development Centres listed
in contacts and services.
