Drought triggers early maize harvest and affects silage quality

Ongoing drought conditions are significantly impacting the 2026 maize harvest, leading to an unusually early start in several regions. In areas like the Schwalm-Eder district, farmers have begun chopping maize in August, much earlier than the typical September or October window.

The drought has caused uneven plant growth and varying levels of maturity. In some locations, particularly in southern Hesse, the issue is widespread, while northern regions experience more localized effects on south-facing slopes or soil with low water retention. Some fields are experiencing ‘emergency ripening’ due to the lack of moisture.

To manage the harvest effectively, experts emphasize adjusting chopping lengths based on dry matter (TM) content to ensure proper compaction in silos. The Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture (LfL) suggests that for normal maize with 32% to 35% dry matter, a chopping length of 6 to 8 mm is ideal. As the maize becomes drier, the length should be reduced; for very dry maize exceeding 37% dry matter, a length of approximately 5 mm is recommended to facilitate compaction.