Production efficiency equates to profitability
Careful selection of maize varieties is helping a large-scale beef enterprise in North Yorkshire to finish cattle within 90 days and maximise biogas yield from an anaerobic digestion plant. Debbie James reports
Improving maize crop performance
It takes years to breed, test and register new maize varieties which give UK growers the highest level of performance. Debbie James finds out more from the experts leading the maize breeding and trial work at farmer-owned co-operative Limagrain.
Getting more milk from your maize
Looking to improve his dairy herd’s yield and production efficiencies, Nigel Harper has been able to boost milk production from home-grown forage, with maize silage now accounting for a larger proportion of the herd’s total mixed ration diet.
Improving forage through maize
Growing maize instead of underproductive grass could help farmers improve forage output per hectare and, in doing so, boost profitability and survivability.
Lessons learned from this year's maize harvest
A dry spring followed by plenty of rain meant maize drilling was a game of two halves in 2021, with those waiting to drill early maturing varieties largely rewarded with better crops.
Using maize in arable rotations
Incorporating maize into arable rotations can help control problematic weeds, while creating a low input, high value cash crop comparing favourably with feed wheat.
Attention to detail essential for high quality maize silage
With maize drilling likely to start in less than 10 weeks, now is the time to finalise the details of managing the crop.
Planning ahead: Getting more maize from less
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.