Frost danger to remaining maize crops
When plants get frosted the cell contents are lost, including sugars which contribute to overall silage digestibility. “When only the top two leaves are burnt off by frost it’s not too serious, but if there is a severe frost harvest immediately.”
Remaining monitor sites will all be harvested soon. Gelli Aur College has increased in DM by 6%, but following a drop last week the average increase is just over 2% a week, he adds. “Brian Metcalfe in Leyburn usually harvests between the 10 and 20 October and the crops look like they will fulfil this timetable.”
FW GRAINSEED FORAGE MAIZE HARVEST COUNTDOWN
| Site | Drill date | Ht above sea level (m) | Crop DM 5 Oct | % Increase |
| Petworth, Sussex | 10 May | 50 | Harvested | |
| Harleston, Norfolk | 3 May | 30 | 29.3 | + 0.9 |
| Crediton, Devon | 10 May | 118 | Harvested | |
| Ticknall, Derbyshire | 27 April | 67 | Harvested | |
| Gelli Aur College, Dyfed* | 10 May | 23 | 26.8 | + 6.2 |
| Leyburn, N Yorks * | 6 May | 140 | 26.3 | + 2.4 |
| SAC, Dumfries, Scotland* | 25 April | 45 | 22.3 | + 1.6 |
* Variety Nancis, all other sites are Soldier.