P7034 is what we call an M3 hybrid (pronounced ‘M cube’). The M3 designation was awarded because P7034, a dent-like grain type hybrid, consistently generates a very high level of rumen degradable starch. It is suitable for favourable sites and many less favourable sites. P7034 growers harvest it last, clamp it last, and feed it first. P7034 has provided UK growers with the ability to harvest maize silage with very high levels of rumen degradable starch.
P7034 is a very early maturity hybrid intended for favourable sites and warmer less favourable sites. Pioneer classifies P7034 as an ‘M3 ’ hybrid (pronounced ‘M Cube’) because in Pioneer Research and UK & Ireland PACTS testing it has produced starch of a very high rumen degradability. The high rumen degradability of P7034 is associated with its dent like starch texture.
P7034 has been extensively tested in PACTS Trials on 35 favourable open locations and 38 less favourable open locations over the last four years. It has been tested under film over 33 locations. P7034 flowers early and has consistently produced silage with a high starch content.
The highly degradable starch type of P7034 can lead to significantly faster starch degradation in the rumen compared to more flint grain textured hybrids. This is especially the case soon after ensiling and before silage acids have had the effect of degrading the protective protein that surrounds the starch in more flint type hybrids.
Where possible crops of P7034 should be clamped last and fed first. This ensiling sequence may aid the feeding transition from old to new crop maize silage, and it fully exploits the starch degradability characteristic of P7034.
P7034 can be partnered with Pioneer hybrids P68106, P7179, P7326, P72847 and P7381. These partner hybrids have lower levels of rumen degradable starch but provide other complementary features. Plan to harvest P7034 last, clamp it last and feed it first!
P7034 has now been tested in PACTS trials under film on 33 locations over nine years. It has given good dry matter yields of a very high starch content when grown under film. P7034 is termed a Pioneer M3 (or ‘M cube’) hybrid due to its ability to produce starch with a very high level of rumen degradability – the highest of any Pioneer hybrid in PACTS trials.
Performance highlights:
* Score on a 1- 9 scale where 9 = very resistant
** Assumes plant establishment losses of less than 5%
*** Film penetration varies with conditions and film. Trials conducted with Samco and Maizetech films