Farmer Focus: Finding cost-effective maize ground isn’t easy

It’s been a busy few weeks at Newlands. We had our annual TB test, which I’m pleased to say was clear.

It’s always a huge relief when the last animal goes through the crush.

It allowed us to have a clear-out of some beef animals – the ones that surprised me most were three 11-month old Friesian steers which we sent to Kivells, our local market.

They made £1,200 each, which is good considering they weren’t carrying much flesh, but they were big-framed animals.

See also: 5 ways to be more efficient at maize production in 2025

About the author

David Luxton

David Luxton farms with his partner Sarah Haworth on her family’s 101ha all-grass farm on the north Devon/Cornwall border. They run a 200-cow housed Holstein Friesian herd averaging close to 11,000 litres, milking through three robots on a guided system. A further 28ha are rented for growing grass and maize

Read more articles by David Luxton

I’ve struggled to find maize ground this year after a five-year agreement with a friend came to an end, and he took it back as agreed.

Being in a highly populated dairy area makes ground expensive and competitive.

So I got Tom at Kivells to advertise for me and he found 22ha (54 acres) – albeit 17 miles away.

I did the costings and it stacked up, even with running the dung down there (33 loads in total) although as I started, Trump managed to put up red diesel.

It’s now all spread, and the ground is prepped and ready to be drilled. Hopefully by the time you read this, the seed will be in and even poking through.

As for the cows, the mycotoxin binder has definitely helped increase yield.

We are nearly at 35 litres a cow, but more importantly we have exceeded the 2,000 litre/robot a day target we set at the start of our new dairy journey, consistently sending 2,100 litres/robot a day.

As for my “green fever”, I have managed to contain it – even with everyone around us cutting, but mainly down to the fact our ground was still too wet to travel on.

I have managed to get a grass fix though, as I go out with Moores of Froxton, our local contractor, helping them out with my tractor and trailer.

Off farm, the skittles season has come to an exciting end. We won the 2nd division and the champion of champions.

We have formed a really good team and become good friends; these Monday nights have helped keep me going through this winter.