The area of maize is increasing continually in the Federal Republic of Germany because of better adaptation to the temperate, humid climate of the country. Maize for grain is now planted on 108 000 ha, yielding 5.1 t/ha with variation from year to year of 5.8%, which is comparable to other grain species. Its position now is 2.1% of the total grain area. Maize for silage in 1975 occupied 430 000 ha, yielding approximately 12.1 t/ha DM. This crop occupies 7.6% of total forage or 33.6% of fodder crops, excluding grassland. Climatic conditions allow the sowing of early to medium-early varieties for grain, and medium-early to medium-late varieties for silage. The nutritive value of the whole plant is not affected very much by the region. Drygrain and high moisture corn are both harvested by combine. Corn-cob mix and picked, chopped ears are also used as feeds for beef cattle. Conservation is done by drying, ensiling, or ensiling after treatment with acid. Whole-crop silage is harvested within a range of 18 – 30% DM, using precision chopping, preferably at the dough stage of maturity. Conservation methods vary according to type of silo, farm size, availability of capital, manpower and method of utilisation. Production is 0.5 – 0.6 million tonnes of grain; importation is 3.2 million tonnes. Two thirds of home production is used for fattening pigs. Almost all of the whole-crop maize is utilised by ruminants, but no estimated figure for particular use in milk or beef production can be given. Fattening young bulls within 18 – 20 months up to 550 – 600 kg live weight on the basis of maize silage to appetite, supplemented by 1 – 3 kg concentrate, is common practice. Feedlot systems on large farms are an exception. Fattening of small or medium-sized groups of animals is in barns, but also in loose housing systems. Hand feeding, mixing trailers and food troughs of all kinds are used. Maize is considered as a crop with increasing significance, characterised by a high degree of interest by farmers and advisory services, as well as by research organisations in the country.