Wait for maize maturity before cutting
High temperatures have continued to push maize crops forward and growers are urged to hold back from cutting until full maturity is reached, according to Grainseed technical manager Neil Groom.
“Due to drought conditions earlier in the year, total bulk of crops is down in general.”
“Where there has been severe stress some cobs have aborted into smut balls, but this is a soil borne problem and will not be seen in years.”
FORAGE MAIZE HARVEST COUNTDOWN | ||||
Site | Drill date | Ht above sea level [m] | Crop dry matter 6 September | % increase |
Petworth, Sussex | 24 April | 50 | Harvested | |
Harleston, Norfolk | 27 April | 30 | 28.1 | 1.0 |
Crediton, Devon | 26 April | 118 | 29.9 | 2.1 |
Ticknall, Derbyshire | 25 April | 67 | 30.1 | 1.8 |
Hundlestone, Pembroke* | 26 April | 20 | 29.6 | 2.6 |
Leyburn, North Yorkshire* | 24 April | 140 | 29.0 | 3.0 |
SAC, Dumfries, Scotland | 26 April | 140 | 29.0 | 3.0 |
*Variety Nancis, all other sites are Es Agreement |