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This update brings together key information to help you make confident, informed decisions throughout the maize growing season.
PACTS® results for 2026/27 now available | Pioneer® maize hybrid highlights for 2026 | Pioneer turns 100 in 2026! | Win 100 thousand maize seed kernels! | Our expanding maize herbicide portfolio | Instinct: lock in Nitrogen to boost maize yields | Increase maize yields with BlueN | Want to hear more from us? | Get in touch with our Hotline team
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PACTS® results for 2026/27 now available!
We are pleased to share the latest maize PACTS results from a full programme of UK and Ireland on-farm trials completed in 2025. PACTS (Pioneer® Accurate Crop Testing System) provides robust, locally relevant data to accurately demonstrate the performance of Pioneer maize hybrids.
The results are now finalised to support hybrid selection for the coming season, with trials covering the key maize‑growing regions across the UK and Ireland. The 2026/27 PACTS book is now available, featuring updated hybrid descriptions and the latest forage and grain performance data. This year's line‑up includes exciting additions such as P68106 and P72847, alongside established high‑performing favourites.
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Click here to download the 2026/27 edition of PACTS
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Pioneer® maize hybrid highlights for 2026
While most UK maize is still harvested as whole crop silage at a minimum of 28% dry matter, the area harvested for grain continues to rise. Grain maize is typically 65–75% dry matter and requires a specialist maize header for combining.
Once harvested, grain can either be dried to 15% moisture for long‑term storage or used as high‑moisture grain by crimping or grinding before ensiling. Pioneer inoculants 11A44,11A44 Rapid React, and 11B91 Rapid React help improve aerobic stability and fermentation for crimped maize.
Decades of Corteva breeding have produced earlier‑maturity, dual‑purpose hybrids suitable for both silage and grain - supporting growers in cooler regions. PACTS® grain trials now span over 10 years, with an increasing number of test sites and clear multi‑year performance comparisons.
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Latest PACTS grain maize data for favourable sites:
The table can also be viewed on page 14 of the PACTS book.
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Pioneer® turns 100 in 2026!
This year marks a major milestone - Pioneer celebrates its 100th anniversary. Since 1926, Pioneer has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, starting with the introduction of hybrid seed maize and continuing with breakthroughs in genetics.
This centenary is more than a celebration of the past - it’s about shaping the future of farming together. As we approach this historic moment, we invite you to join us in commemorating a century of progress and partnership.
In 1989, Pioneer expanded its global footprint by establishing operations in the United Kingdom and Ireland, marking a significant milestone in its European growth strategy. This move allowed the company to bring its expertise in hybrid seed technology closer to farmers in these regions, supporting local agriculture with innovative products and tailored agronomic services. The UK and Ireland entry reflected Pioneer’s commitment to advancing crop performance and strengthening relationships within the European farming community.
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Celebrate with us!
100 winners will receive Pioneer-branded goodies - caps, beanies, tote bags and more. Simply complete the short form on the page for your chance to win.
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Win 100 thousand maize seed kernels!
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Our expanding maize herbicide portfolio
Principal® Forte: With three active ingredients, Principal Forte provides broad-spectrum control of grass and broad‑leaved weeds, minimising tank mixes and giving your maize crop a strong start.
- Dose rate of 480 g/ha delivers 245 g/ha dicamba + 30 g/ha nicosulfuron + 15 g/ha rimsulfuron + 15 g/ha isoxadifen
- Apply with Codacide (95% rapeseed triglyceride) @ 1L/ha or the adjuvant Vivolt @ 0.2% v/v.
- Where tank mixed with mesotrione, the addition of an adjuvant is not required.
- Comes in a 2.4kg pack, each pack will treat 5 ha
- Has few following crop restrictions meaning SFI options such as winter cover crop can be well utilised. Trials have also shown good safety when sowing ryegrass into the treated maize crop, 2-4 weeks after an application of Principal Forte.
Starane® Hi-Load HL: The only straight fluroxypyr solution that has a label to support tank mixing. Particularly good on black nightshade, also cleavers, chickweed, docks, hemp nettle and forget-me-not.
Leystar®: A broad spectrum selective herbicide which is the preferred solution for mayweeds, thistles and docks. Also good on groundsel and brassica weeds like charlock and mustard. Now approved for tank mixing with nicosulfuron to enable a more comprehensive weed management approach.
Shield ProTM: Controls many broad-leaved weeds including mayweeds, groundsel, thistles and volunteer potatoes.
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Instinct®: lock in Nitrogen to boost maize yields
As a crop, maize has traditionally been under-fertilised, and this is largely due to it requiring a significant amount of nitrogen - around half - post flowering. Nitrogen stabilisers slow down the conversion of ammonium to nitrate, preventing nitrogen loss through leaching and denitrification. Trials using Corteva's Instinct have shown a reduction in leaching of around 50%, and a reduction in denitrification through greenhouse gases of approximately 45%. This means nitrogen is kept in the soil for longer, and for a crop such as maize, this has a significant impact on yields, as it is available to the plant when it is needed.
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Visual effects of Instinct are unmissable
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Increase maize yields with BlueNTM
BlueN is a nutrient efficiency biostimulant for use in a broad range of crops including maize. It contains Methylobacterium symbioticum, a bacteria found in nature.
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Increase fresh yield by 5t/ha with BlueN
Another successful year of trials in maize. During 2025 in the UK, we saw a 12% increase in dry matter yield in a trial carried out in Warwickshire, consistent with other BlueN maize trials in the previous season.
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Want to hear more from us?
Update your preferences and tailor your choices to make sure you receive the communications that are right for you. Don't forget to enter into our monthly prize draw by ticking the box before submitting to be in with the chance to win!
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Get in touch with our Hotline team
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USE PLANT PROTECTION PRODUCTS SAFELY. Always read the label and product information before use. For further information including warning phrases and symbols refer to label. ®™ Trademarks Corteva Agriscience Limited and its affiliated companies. All other brand names are trademarks of other manufacturers for which proprietary rights may exist. All manufacturers trade names and trademarks are duly acknowledged. © 2026 Corteva. Principal® Forte contains nicosulfuron, rimsulfuron, dicamba and isoxadifen. Starane® Hi-Load HL contains fluroxypyr. Leystar® contains clopyralid, fluroxypyr and flurasulam. Shield Pro™ contains clopyralid. Instinct® contains nitrapyrin. BlueN™ contains Methylobacterium symbioticum.  | | | | |
