Drought brings maize harvest forward three weeks

With ongoing drought across much of the UK, maize growers are keeping a close watch on crop development to determine the best time to harvest.
Exceptionally early maize harvests kicked off last weekend in Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, three weeks earlier than their usual cutting date – likely to be the first maize harvests in the UK.
See also: Maize harvest off to very early start in Somerset
While some areas have fared well, for others, harvest has started about three weeks ahead of schedule, according to the Maize Growers Association (MGA).
Due to the warm spring and early drilling, maize crops have been able to mature much quicker in some parts of the country, while others will need harvesting early due to drought stress, especially those on gravelly soil, the association said.
Jon Myhill, technical lead at the MGA, said: “The crop has dried down much faster than we would typically expect, with initial dry matters around 40%. But on a five-year average, yields are average to above average.
“Several growers have indicated they plan to begin harvesting by the end of the month, though we recommend closely monitoring crops on light soils and early-drilled fields, where heat and moisture deficits are likely to accelerate maturity and senescence.”
The MGA has advised growers to assess how much of the plant is still green and alive and look at what cob development and grain fill looks like, to help determine whether fields should be harvested early or if they can wait for the normal harvest window.
“In some cases, a field-by-field approach may be necessary,” added Mr Myhill.
Drought impact on yield
Sarah Hawthorne, head of arable at Deutsche Saatveredelung AG (DSV UK), said yields could be down by 10-15% overall, but the picture is mixed.
“In the East Midlands some plants are quite short and have looked like pineapples throughout the growing season,” she said.
Ms Hawthrone added that other parts of the country have seen better crops, depending on rainfall and drilling dates.
With little disease this year and the cobs having filled well, harvest should see good quality maize, though multiple cobs can be a concern for some growers, she said.
“We are seeing multiple cobs in the earlier varieties which could become a problem if they mature at different rates, ultimately impacting yields. However, this year could potentially favour slightly later yielding varieties.”Â
But she added that lower yields could potentially also be a problem for biogas plants.
“There are some concerns for biogas plants with yields potentially being down for maize, but the rye harvest has been good, which should help.”