According to the latest information from Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the National Non-Food Crop Centre (NNFCC), there are now 97 non-water company biogas plants in the UK - 39 of these are classified as farm feedstock bio digesters.

"The increase in the number of anaerobic digesters (AD) has created a market for – and an interest in growing - high biomass crops such as maize and grass silage. Crops like these are important for stabilising or supplementing other AD feedstocks such as low yielding slurries or food waste," explains Ruth Stanley, agronomy manager with BASF.

"Cereals and rape meal can also be used as AD feedstocks, giving high biogas yields, but given the current high commodity prices, they are rarely grown solely for digestion. Because maize is such a valuable feedstock, it already accounts for 80% of the material used in biogas production across Europe."

With many farms having to consider alternative cropping options this spring, maize might offer some a profitable alternative where good soil husbandry and agronomy practises are followed.

Maize has a natural fit in many rotations as a break crop and can be used as a tool to control problematic blackgrass. Plant breeders have made many advances over the last decade to develop a wide range of varieties to suit early or late harvest situations.

Miss Stanley advises growers considering maize for the first time, to follow some key pointers that will lead to a profitable crop. "The most important stage to get right is establishment: maize needs good soil structure and moisture to get off to a good start."

According to Simon Draper, Agronomist for the Maize Growers Association, "early weed control at the cotyledon stage of the crop is also vital because maize is a poor rooter and early weed competition causes a problem” to the emerging seedling.

"Timing is critical. Don’t be tempted to leave your herbicide applications too late as weed competition can dramatically knock the crop back. The best approach therefore is a reliable pre-emergence herbicide with good residual activity."