Maize

With maize drilling likely to start in less than 10 weeks, now is the time to finalise the details of managing the crop.

Choosing the right varieties of maize to facilitate early harvesting, while also maximising yield and feed value, is essential to maintain herd performance and minimise damage to soils.

As the weather turned wet in early October, the 2020 maize harvest could be described as a tale of two halves.

Farmers who selected an early maturing maize variety this year will be reflecting on a timely harvest and looking forward to high feed quality from their 2020 crop.

Maize is a valued component of dairy and beef rations and maximising its feed value and minimising wastage will contribute to reduced feed costs and improved performance.

The Maize Crop Watch series guides farmers to the best return on investment when growing maize. It will focus on maximising yields of quality feed through correct variety choice, optimal harvesting, careful storage in the clamp and management at feed out.

As November turned to December, there were still many acres of standing maize crops in fields across the country and, as the rain continued to fall, the chances of salvaging a useful crop diminished.