Built for Long-Season Performance.

Maize production in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay is supported by high sunshine hours, warm summer conditions and long growing seasons, making these regions some of New Zealand’s strongest environments for both silage and grain. These conditions allow growers to utilise longer maturity hybrids and consistently target higher yield potential.

Maize is grown for both high-quality silage and grain production, supporting dairy, livestock and arable systems. In addition to providing a consistent, energy-dense feed source, maize plays an important role in crop rotations, where hybrid maturity must align with planting and harvest timing.

However, these regions also present specific challenges, including periods of dry conditions, exposure to strong winds and ongoing disease pressure. As a result, hybrid selection needs to balance yield potential with resilience and consistency under variable conditions.

In This Region, Hybrid Selection Is Typically Driven By:

  • Maximising yield potential from longer maturity hybrids
  • Matching maturity (CRM) to rotation and harvest timing requirements
  • Selecting climate-resilient hybrids suited to dry conditions and wind exposure
  • Managing disease pressure through strong agronomic traits
  • Aligning hybrid choice to silage or grain end use

Regional Hybrid Choices

PAC 314

Silage & Grain Maize Hybrid
CRM 101
PAC maize hybrid

PAC 314 is a versatile mid-season hybrid suited to Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay systems where growers are balancing silage and grain production. It offers reliable performance across a range of conditions, making it a strong option where consistency and adaptability are required.

  • Mid-season dual-purpose hybrid suited to North Island environments
  • Medium-tall, well-structured plant with strong visual appeal
  • AriDapt® drought-ready technology supporting performance under dry conditions
  • Reliable option across variable environments and seasons
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PAC 430

Silage & Grain Maize Hybrid
CRM 108
PAC maize hybrid

PAC 430 is a later maturity hybrid designed to maximise yield potential in long-season environments. It is well suited to growers targeting high silage bulk or grain production, particularly where strong late-season performance and drought resilience are important.

  • Later maturity hybrid suited to high heat and long growing seasons
  • AriDapt® drought-ready technology supporting resilience under dry conditions
  • Well balanced canopy provides good bulk, with long girthy ears, typically 18 kernels around
  • Excellent grain quality, very good staygreen and standability
  • Finishes strongly with very good late season plant health
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PAC 492

Silage & Grain Maize Hybrid
CRM 109
PAC 492 maize hybrid

PAC 492 is a robust, later maturity hybrid suited to growers targeting high yield and grain performance in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay. It is particularly well suited to long-season environments where grain quality, yield potential and crop reliability are key priorities

  • Full season dual-purpose hybrid suited to long-season environments
  • Strong grain performer with flinty, food-grade grain
  • Strong agronomic package delivering reliable performance
  • Suited to both silage and grain systems where maturity can be fully utilised
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Maize Cob

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Regional Considerations

Hot humid conditions

Gisborne

Gisborne (Tairāwhiti) offers some of the highest maize yield potential in New Zealand, supported by fertile alluvial soils and warm, reliable growing conditions. Strong early growth and long growing seasons allow crops to perform consistently when matched to the environment.

Hybrid selection should focus on maximising yield potential while ensuring maturity aligns with planting and harvest timing, particularly within rotation systems.

Dairy Farms

Hawke's Bay

Maize production in Hawke’s Bay performs strongly on fertile, well-drained soils, particularly where irrigation supports growth through frequent summer dry periods. While the region offers high yield potential, seasonal moisture stress can impact crop performance if not managed.

Hybrid selection should focus on balancing yield potential with drought resilience, alongside selecting appropriate maturity (CRM) and maintaining strong agronomic performance through to harvest.

Matching CRM and hybrid characteristics to your local climate and end use ensures consistent performance.

Regional Faqs

Gisborne's long, warm growing season allows growers to maximise yield potential by selecting later-maturing hybrids. PAC 430, PAC 492, PAC 564, PAC 581 and PAC 624 all take advantage of extended grain-fill periods, producing exceptional dry matter yields and high starch content. These hybrids are particularly well suited to growers targeting maximum silage or grain production.
The best hybrid depends on your farming system and end use. Dairy farms often prioritise silage quality and digestibility, while arable growers focus on grain yield and dry-down. Dual-purpose hybrids such as PAC 314, PAC 344, PAC 430 and PAC 492 provide flexibility, allowing growers to adapt their harvest strategy depending on seasonal conditions and market opportunities.
The main production challenges include seasonal drought, strong winds during the growing season and disease pressure in humid conditions. Selecting hybrids with strong drought tolerance, good standability and excellent disease resistance helps reduce production risk. AriDapt® hybrids such as PAC 119, PAC 298, PAC 314 and PAC 430 have been developed to maintain consistent yields across a wide range of growing conditions.
Drought tolerance is increasingly important as seasonal moisture becomes more variable. AriDapt® hybrids have been bred to perform under both dryland and irrigated conditions, maintaining grain set, staygreen and dry matter production when moisture is limited. PAC 119, PAC 298, PAC 314 and PAC 430 all feature AriDapt® technology for improved resilience.
Long-season regions such as Gisborne can fully utilise higher CRM hybrids (approximately 105-115 CRM) to maximise yield potential. Later-maturing hybrids extend grain fill and increase starch accumulation, provided crops can be harvested before autumn weather affects conditions.
Yes. Gisborne and Hawke's Bay consistently provide excellent conditions for grain maize production due to their warm temperatures and long growing seasons. Dual-purpose hybrids including PAC 344, PAC 382, PAC 430 and PAC 492 offer excellent grain quality, strong dry-down and reliable yields for commercial grain growers. Careful consideration of your hybrids CRM is required to ensure you are not putting yourself at risk by trying to grow long maturing hybrids in environments that do not suit.
Crop rotation largely determines how much growing time is available before the following crop is established. Where an early autumn crop or pasture is planned, growers may select an earlier CRM hybrid. Where maize is the primary crop, longer-season hybrids can maximise yield potential without compromising rotation timing. Matching hybrid maturity to the overall farming system is key to achieving the best outcomes.

Contact Us

For advice on silage maize systems in Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay, or to discuss maize for grain options, contact your local Corson Maize Sales Agronomist to match the right hybrid to your farm system and production goals.

 

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