Grain maize has the X Factor for south-west growers – Picture and videos
Maize picture gallery
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Interest in grain maize appears to be gathering momentum. Trading at a £15-20/t premium over winter wheat, the current economics means it stacks up well against other break crops, as well as winter wheat. And for growers in the right areas, particularly parts of the south of England, that is an attractive proposition.
For pictures please visit our picture gallery on FWiSpace
Markets are opening up too. Dairy, poultry and other livestock farmers are increasingly looking towards higher quality feed sources to boost production, and are realising the potential grain maize could offer, either as a whole or crimped product. And there are, albeit more limited, opportunities for human consumption too.
It is not all rosy, however. Harvesting is late, can create soil management issues, and there are considerable drying costs when not crimping. Entry into wheat is far from ideal – yields will be hit.
If you would like to read about using grain maize in rations go to our Grain maize provides flexibility for feed stocks page.
See a picture gallery from last week’s Maize Growers Association demonstration day funded by the England Catchment Sensitive Farming Delivery Initiative in Exeter.
Other useful grain maize links:
- Maize Growers Association
- Practical advice from Kelvin Cave on crimping
- More crimping information from Crimped Grain Direct
Grain maize variety info from:
Information on the Claas Conspeed header used by Troy Stuart and the Cressoni maize header.
