As the spring drilling window is so wide, it is important to ensure seed rates are adjusted to allow for earlier or later drilling.

In 2019, Morris Davies who runs a herd of 280 all year round calving cows averaging 9,700 litres took the decision to try growing maize again.

Growers are being urged to monitor maize crop nutrition throughout the growing season, to make sure they reach their full potential.
Dr Simon Pope, Wynnstay crop protection manager, says ideally the nutrient inputs for sowing and establishment will already have been applied, and plans should be made regarding the maize crop nutrition throughout the rest of the season.

The last three maize seasons have had the same result – a mixed bag of performance depending on region, drilling date and harvest timings. However, in 2020, growers had a new challenge to contend with.

The removal of the maize seed treatment Mesurol left a hole in the crop protection armoury, resulting in crops being at greater risk from bird damage, which in previous years would not be high on the list of issues for most growers.

Getting the best results from your maize crop doesn't just come from management in the field. Preventing losses in the pit from fermentation and aerobic spoilage is essential.

It is essential to achieve effective weed control early in the crop's development. To avoid an irreversible effect on yield all weeds should be removed by the four-leaf stage of the crop at the very latest, and before the weeds reach 100mm in height.

A range of herbicides are available for use in maize for broadleaved weed and grass weed control. They can be divided into two categories depending on their recommended timing of application - either pre-emergence or post-emergence.

The additional costs associated with growing maize under film can be more than covered by the value of the increased DM yield and the increase in starch yield.

New Volac research has taken a deeper look at the benefits of making multi-cut grass silage, whereby grass is cut younger and more often over the season, and examined how to better conserve this potentially high-quality forage.

Thanks to its high nutritional content, maize silage has a lot to offer as a forage option for both dairy and beef herds. However, maize can be a marginal crop if not harvested and ensiled correctly.

There is no cure for BYDV once a plant is infected and with the loss of Deter seed treatment, greater emphasis is placed on well-timed and targeted applications of aphicides.