Weather permitting, south Co. Antrim dairy farmer, Robert Duncan, will be harvesting forage maize within a fortnight.

He attributes the growth rates achieved by those crops to the high temperatures recorded throughout the summer months.

The Maizetech representative also indicated that early sown maize crops found early growing conditions difficult.

He said: “Most of April was cold and damp. As a consequence, early sown crops of maize struggled once they broke through the plastic.

"The better weather arrived during the latter part of May. So, crops grown at that stage did not receive any form of setback at all.

"As a consequence, they will be among the first to be harvest this year.

Despite an earlier cutting date, the Crumlin-based milk producer is expecting his September maize crops to yield well with starch levels up to expected levels.

"“Heat drives maize production. Crops are also very deep rooting.

"So they are well capable of thriving throughout periods of dry weather," he explained.

Maize acerage

Meanwhile, the area of maize grown across the island of Ireland continues to expand.

Tillage farmers, who grew maize as a cash crop this year, are confirming a strong demand for it in the run-up to harvest.

The key trends linked to forage maize production in 2026 are: the continuing expansion of the crop area; the fact that so many farmers can grow the crops well; and the reality that forage maize will play such an important role in delivering much-need additional fodder on Irish farms over the coming winter months.

Crops that were planted out in bare soil got off to a good enough start. But it soon became evident that the use of plastic encourages much better plant development in those early growth stages.

Duncan said: “This meant that the more advanced crops could cope with the challenges posed by drought much more effectively."

Successful maize production is all about giving crops the best possible start.

Modern films are both fully biodegradable while also encouraging enhanced growth rates, relative to what would have been the case in the past.

It has been confirmed that the area of planted maize recorded in the Republic of Ireland this year has come in at around 55,000ac.

This figure is expected to grow significantly during the period ahead.