Following five simple management steps can make maize the consistently highest performing UK forage crop, says Neil Groom, technical director with Grainseed Ltd.

Despite increasingly variable growing conditions, as evidenced by the last two production years, growers can ensure high yields of energy from the crop by preparing properly for drilling and taking greater care at harvesting, he says.

“We were about 10% down on heat units through the 2015 growing season which slowed crop growth considerably and we then had the third warmest November since 1910 followed by record temperatures in December.

“By contrast the 2014 growing season had 8% higher heat units than the 30 year average and bumper crops were widespread.”

Experience shows the five steps to ensure consistent crop yield and quality regardless of growing conditions are taking more care with seedbeds, growing earlier varieties, revisiting plastic, frontloading nutrition and paying more attention to harvest management, he says.

“Good seedbed preparation will always pay dividends. If you grow maize in the same location each year, weeds will build up so maize should ideally be rotated around the farm.”

Soil pH of between 6.5 and 7.0 is optimum and removing compaction is essential, he adds.

“A healthy maize plant should have as much depth in roots as growth above the ground so any soil compaction must be addressed. Pre-emergence weed control is also essential in the first six weeks to remove competition. 

Choosing the right variety to deliver the all important starch yield is also key, Neil Groom believes.

“Maize must reach full maturity with maximum starch production rather than reaching the target dry matter through dry down after plant death.

“Field yield is less important than aiming for 30% starch content and 30% drymatter. Choosing a variety one maturity group above where you normally would can have real benefits in achieving this.

Drilling crops under plastic is another important consideration, he says.

“Plastic can often benefit growers who might not consider their location needs it. It warms the soil considerably and the warmer the soil the faster seedlings grow.

“For example, trials with the variety Marco grown under plastic have resulted in crop harvest up to one month earlier than usual opening up a range of autumn drilling options.”

The first six weeks of a maize plant’s life are critical and adequate nutrition is essential in this period, he says.

“Placement fertilisers are a good idea with Nitrogen and Phosphate important for the seedling’s early growth. Maxi Maize has protected phosphate so that’s a good choice.”

Forage quality can also be influenced significantly by the harvest process, Neil Groom concludes.

“Around 20mm is the optimum chop length for ruminants but this longer cut means you will also have to think more carefully about achieving optimum compaction in the clamp.

“It’s worth running a tractor on top of the clamp ‘across the grain’ to achieve this and 

reverting to a shorter chop for the last 100 tonnes to aid sealing. Using a complete oxygen barrier film like Silostop and a secure cover are also good ideas to protect the investment you have made.”