About 50% of farmers using corn drills to plant maize are not doing it well enough, according to David Bright of

David Bright Seeds.

Speaking to Farmers Weekly at a recent forage maize trip to France, he said this could equate to a 2.5t/ha (1t/acre) difference at the clamp face or a £25/t difference between using a corn drill and a maize drill.

And with about one third of dairy farmers using corn drills, this could be a real problem. “We are seeing lower yields, bigger gaps and bunching of plants where farmers are not using corn drills correctly.

“The key is not to rush. Go slowly – when drilling is rushed, precision will be compromised.”