Maize is not the last crop to be cut this year. A fifth cut of grass silage is under way – in the hopes of bolstering forage stocks.

This will be a much-needed boost to what has been a very disappointing maize harvest. It was a stark reminder of just how important a good growing season is for maize.

Unfortunately, this year’s crop is about 40% down on yield to what would be “normal”, which means purchased concentrate feed will have to make up the shortfall.

See also: Farmer Focus: We demonise the plough at our peril

About the author

Charlie Cheyney

Arable Farmer Focus writer Charlie Cheyney farms more than 480ha land in Hampshire in partnership with his father. They run a mixed arable and 450-cow dairy enterprise, growing cereal and forage crops on varying soils, from chalk to heavy clay.

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In a further effort to increase forage stocks, we have just planted a Westerwolds grass ley on the land destined for maize next year.

As the plan is to take a single cut of grass in April, before then cultivating and planting with maize, we had to rip out the planted cover crops to make way for the grass.

Although it is not a new concept, it will be a first for us. The theory of getting two crops in one year is a great idea.

Taking out the already planted spring cover crop to be replaced by grass will be frustrating, but I think positive.

Over the past few years, as cover cropping has become more popular, we have shifted away from stubble turnips (to be grazed by sheep) to more diverse mixes. We use varied mixes in the hope of improving soil structure and providing nutrients to the next crop.

However, I’m not sure we are any better off. It’s hard to quantify the extra benefits, and we have achieved mixed results.

I think keeping a living root in the soil is the main advantage. So, that brings me to my present level of thinking. If my land can grow a cover crop in this period, why not grow a crop?

I still benefit form a living root, while also gaining a cash crop. That said, I recognise that nutrient take-off must be replaced.

But with the livestock, I am able to replenish this with manure, so instead of cycling nutrients in the soil, I can cycle them through livestock as well as the soil.

If well managed, this could help us maximise use of our land and, in the short term, make up for a lack of forage.