With 10t/ha yields providing £1500/ha before costs, grain maize is fast becoming one of the most profitable spring break crop options.

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"Prices are strong and the market is good with farmers and the industry seeking UK sourced high energy starch-based feeds," says David Bright. 

"The key is to select varieties that are quick to dry down and which can be harvested in good time without the need for excessive drying costs. 

"While in the past varieties such as Harvi and MAS13L have taken the lion’s share of the market, they have now been superseded by Coryphee,” he says.

"Coryphee's strong vigour leads to good early establishment and the tall, well-rooted plant looks after itself during the summer. 

"Last year, the big issue was rain in August, which slowed growth.  While earlies were still early, late varieties, were late.

"Most growers got their Coryphee off in early to mid-October, when we'd expect them to, whereas later varieties were a month behind."

This performance was mirrored on Bright Seeds trials across two sites in the south of England comparing 11 different varieties (see chart). 

While all other grain maize types, bar an as yet not commercially available coded KWS UK newcomer, had dry matters below 71%, Coryphee averaged 73% and still had the same 11.5t/ha grain yield as Falkone.

Based on these results and practical experience, Mr Bright expects many growers to grow wall-to-wall Coryphee next season.   “Certainly on dodgy, sticky ground Coryphee is the only choice,” he says. 

"For ten years, we've been struggling with varieties that are borderline for harvest date; Coryphee brings combining forward by three weeks, with no apparent yield loss.

"As a result, growers can plant wheat up behind it in the autumn without losing a king's ransom at today's wheat prices from loss of yield by having to spring crop," he says.

"Elsewhere, on lighter land in the south, there are alternatives such as Falkone and Harvi, but choice depends on management needs and I would still advocate Coryphee if you are looking to follow it with grass."

"This provides not just a high grain yield but also brings down drying and storage costs.  In addition, with a yellow – almost cornflake type – colour, Coryphee ideally suits premium market needs, for example as flaked maize," says Mr Bright.