Growers with grain maize will be starting to harvest in the south of the country now, believes Grainseed’s Neil Groom.

“Many crops I’ve seen in the past week have the ‘black dot’ and rattle on the rachis, so we know it will thresh in the combine,” he says. “Some crops still have a lot of green leaf, but it’s the grain maturity that counts.”

Brian Metcalfe at Washfold Farm, Leyburn, has been pleased with his maize crop this year. Although he was three weeks later in drilling and two weeks later to harvest, he has waited for full maturity to ensure milk yields are maintained.

Mr Groom reminds producers to plough in trash straight after harvest to bury disease inoculum for following cereal crops.