| 59 Supporting an efficient maize harvest season Knowing when to harvest is a critical part of the equation. Kim Newth Maize is increasingly taking its place as a valuable supplementary feed crop in Southland, thanks to the advent of high-yielding, short-maturity hybrids that are suited to South Island growing conditions. Southland rural contractor Peter Corcoran Contracting diversified into harvesting for maize silage for the first time last year, with good demand again this autumn for maize harvest services. Having purchased a specialist header for the work last year, Peter Corcoran Contracting was well-equipped for this year’s Southland maize harvest in late April/early May. Their John Deere forage harvester with Harvest Lab and kernel processor brings the latest technology to the field, including real time mapping and on-the-go measuring of moisture, dry matter, protein, starch, fibre, sugar and other key variables. The kernel processor efficiently breaks down cobs and kernels as the crop goes through, ensuring kernels can be easily digested by cows. “Maize is definitely starting to kick off in Southland and we hear more farmers talking about it,” says Director Mason Cairns, co-owner of Peter Corcoran Contracting. “It’s a big cost upfront investing in it but there are certainly better varieties for Southland conditions now. The total maize harvest area for us this autumn is similar to last year – around 60 or 70 hectares – and we’re also harvesting a small trial block for the Foundation for Arable Research. An added advantage for us in servicing local maize harvest needs is that we have also picked up more work in grass and forage harvesting off the back of that.” At the time of writing, Southland’s maize harvest was imminent. Knowing when to harvest is a critical part of the equation. Good quality maize silage is ideally made when whole plant dry matter is between 30-40%. “Before the harvest, we go and meet with farmers and agronomists so we can check the crops. We’ve attended a couple of small conferences with Pioneer too that have included tips on checking maize for harvest maturity.” Mason, who grew up in Gore, started his rural contracting career as a 17-year-old, working RURAL SERVICES » Peter Corcoran Contracting Ltd through the harvest season in Australia, followed by seeding work there the following year. He began working for Peter Corcoran in 2011, before taking a few years out from 2016 to work in England as a digger operator. “I came back in 2018 and then, in the 2018/19 silage season, Peter leased a forage harvester to me and I ran that for a season. It led to an opportunity to buy into the business. We both share the administration roles and I now organise most of the silage jobs and crews.” Peter Corcoran Contracting Limited is well- respected in the region for efficient and reliable silage making, hay baling and excavation services, along with general cartage and aggregate supply to dairy, sheep and beef farmers across Eastern Stock Cartage, General Cartage & Fert Spreading Get in touch! admin@waikakatransport.com 032072885 Phone Jason - 0274 392 838 | A/H 03 207 2611 › Ploughing › Discing › Power Harrows › Roller Drill › Aerating › Baling › Direct Drilling › Individual Wrapping › Tube Wrapping › Mowing CLELAND CONTRACTING 2005 Ltd TRANSPORT & GENERAL ENGINEERING Mobile Hydraulic Hose Repair Service 13 Waiau Street, Gore | Ph: 03 208 1773 | Mobile: 027 615 7719 Southland and West Otago. Mason observes that windy conditions last spring and summer in the lead up to Christmas had an impact on local grass harvest quality and yields. “It looked green but was very dry - and we still haven’t quite caught up.” While winter is a quieter time for the team, he says they still have plenty on the go from maintenance and dairy lane work/aggregate supply to baleage transport.
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