Customer Case Study: Patrick Palmer’s High-Yield Maize Success with ProCam

With 247ha (610 acres) under film and 36ha (90 acres) grown in the open, Patrick achieved yields topping 54t/ha (22t/acre) at 38% dry matter (DM) and 43% starch – a notable increase on his typical 44t/ha (18t/acre) fresh weight yields.

“We started planting in the second week of April and finished by the fourth week,” Patrick explains. “The early rain and the moisture-retaining benefits of film allowed roots to establish quickly, even when the weather turned dry. We can also get the following crop in by the end of October, which is much harder without film.”

The maize forms a key part of the herd’s silage ration, with 1,250 cows producing milk for cheesemaking, averaging 11,500 litres per cow at 3.6% protein and 4.3% butterfat. Maize makes up 60% of the ration, with grass silage and concentrates rounding out the feed.

Encera: boosting plant efficiency

This year, Patrick also applied Encera, a nitrogen-fixing endophyte bacteria, alongside post-emergence herbicide and biostimulants.

“We’ve had very high starch from using both the film and Encera. Last year we only treated half the maize and could see the difference visually. This season we used it across all the maize. It really helps keep the plant alive and nutrient efficient,” he says.

ProCam agronomist Barry Mills, who advises Patrick and works with Samco on the film system, explains the benefits:

“Film gives maize more heat units and traps condensation to retain soil moisture. Roots under the Samco system can be up to five times larger than open-field maize. This improves fresh weight, %DM, and metabolisable energy, delivering higher overall energy per hectare.”

Barry notes that certain hybrids perform best under film, and post-emergence weed control can be more challenging, but applying Encera with herbicide makes the operation cost-effective while improving grain yield and starch content.

“Encera inoculates the plant with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, enhancing nutrient efficiency and helping the plant perform even in dry conditions,” he adds.

Key Takeaways for Maize Growers:

• Film can significantly boost early root development, %DM, and starch content.
• Early planting combined with moisture retention improves crop resilience.
• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Encera enhance nutrient use efficiency and overall yield.
• Careful hybrid selection and agronomy advice are critical for maximising results.

Want to achieve similar maize success on your farm?
Talk to your local ProCam agronomist to explore the benefits of film systems, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and expert variety and crop management advice. We can help you boost yields, improve forage quality, and make the most of every hectare.