Look North for Best Western Maize Farmers Told

Talking to growers at a maize open day in September at Pools Farm, Downton, near Ludlow, he said the best varieties for the region are those that ensure full cob development in any season, boosting energy in the clamp.

“All too often NIAB listed early varieties get their earliness score from plant dieback, rather than cob development and natural plant senescence. As a result, many ‘supposedly’ early varieties, which harvest well in NIAB/MGA trials in England & Wales, are not the most consistent quality performers under more challenging, cool wet conditions,” says Francis.

Key traits are early flowering and early grain development. “We find that that by looking at trials in other countries, we can ensure we select varieties that can cope no matter what the UK throws at them, boosting energy levels in the clamp and improving herd performance.”

Looking at the UK Descriptive List, Mr Dunne also points out that in any one group there is a wide range of ME values from 10.8 to 11.7MJ/kg.

“For every 0.1MJ/kg you can gain an extra 9l of milk per tonne of DM in the clamp. So, even with milk at a low price of 20p per litre the additional value of each tonne DM is worth £3.77. Assuming an average yield of 18t/acre, across a 25 acre field of maize, this additional 0.1MJ/kg can boost income by nearly £600.

“However, if you were to base your maize selection on yield instead, opting for a variety potential to produce 10% extra yield, on an 18t/acre crop, the extra 1.8t of silage would be worth £32.40/acre. In comparison, for each improvement of 0.2MJ/kg DM you add a potential £47.55 worth of milk/acre.

“Thus, while yield is important, energy value is even more so, for those looking to improve cow or beef stock performance. Back this with varieties which have a high starch content and you’ll get the best of both worlds – high feed values and low clamp losses.”

Based on consistency of performance in the west of England, Mr Dunne says that the mainstay varieties for next year should be Kaukas and NK Bull.

“Early vigour has been particularly important this year and here, Kaukas has been excellent. Kaukas’ adaptability was also confirmed by NIAB trials in 2006, where it performed well despite the cold establishment period and the hot dry summer,” he says.

Amongst the newcomers in the Shropshire trial, Kokon also looks very interesting and the coded KWS variety KXA 5011 was exceptionally early and appeared a real prospect for the region.

As a tried and tested performer, Mr Dunne also suggests growers look at Speedy, which has produced good results for ten years. “It doesn’t matter where you put it, it produces excellent yields,” he says.

This year has been characterised by poor pollination as a result of cold wet conditions at flowering. Many cobs – particularly in the later maturing maize varieties - have blind grain sites.

The best varieties have been those that had good early vigour and which were early to flower and form cobs. These have also had a longer period for grain development in a summer, whereas later maturing types have suffered.

This is in marked contrast to 2006 when the hot, dry summer meant that most varieties did well and it almost didn’t matter what you planted.

Mr Dunne points out that soil conditions have also markedly affected maize performance this year. The crop can root to 2m depth and just a 10% increase in soil bulk density – a measure of the level of soil compaction – can cut yields by 5t/acre.

Many soils this year have badly slumped as a result of waterlogging. As a result, yields have suffered and subsoiling prior to the next crop will be critical. Soil conditions at depth must be dry and spring loosening may be just as effective as traditional autumn timings,” he suggests.

Speaking at the same meeting, Sarah Olney, catchment sensitive farming officer for Natural England, with responsibilities for the Lugg said that levels of silt in water courses had quadrupled in the last 25 years.

“Earlier maturing varieties can bring forward harvest from November to the end of September,” she says. “This also helps get the next crop established in good time and minimises soil erosion risks and build up of silts in rivers.

Her advice this autumn, particularly on slumped soils, is to chisel plough or deep tine uncultivated stubbles to improve water infiltration and minimise run off risks.

Sarah Olney also alerted growers to plans under new NVZ legislation to prevent slurry applications from being made after September 1st. “This proposed cut off date is unrealistic and growers should lobby hard against this.

“Far better to be left to your own judgement as to soil risks rather than introduce and arbitrary date for the last application of muck every year,” she says.