Dairy Event 2010: Assess maize crop early
Maize producers should ensure they assess their crops early this year, as harvest dates may be 1-2 weeks earlier than usual, according to Tim Richmond, maize product manager for Limagrain.
Speaking at the company’s Cob Clinic at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show, NEC Birmingham, Mr Richmond said the crop may look green, but cob maturity could be coming along well.
“It is important to get away from the headland and assess how cob maturity is progressing,” he said.
“In some areas harvest date may be earlier than average because we have had a reasonable amount of summer sun.”
The season may have had a dry start, causing variable germination, but most crops would have caught up well after a wet June.
“However, when farmers were hit with a dry spring and summer, they will see a drop in yields at harvest,” he said.
The Cob Clinic also highlighted that the advantages of growing maize under plastic will not be as marked this year compared to growing the crop outside.
“This should be a good year for growing maize outside, with most people seeing improved quality at harvest,” he said.