Farmer fodder worries grow as maize crops struggle

With the UK having experienced several heatwaves and areas of the country in drought, concerns about fodder availability for the winter are increasing.

According to the latest AHDB grass growth data, grass yields are running 32% below the average for the same period between 2017 and 2023, and maize crops, according to farm supply company Wynnstay, are also struggling.

“Most of the country has endured wave after wave of extreme heat this season,” said Simon Pope, crop protection manager at Wynnstay.

See also: Drought hits North West as farmers warn of growing crisis

“That’s had a direct impact on grass and maize performance.

“Where rainfall has been scarce, we’re seeing real concern about forage shortfalls heading into winter,” he added.

Early drilling success

Maize is understood to be struggling in many parts of the country.

And while some early-sown crops that were drilled into well-cultivated seed-beds are doing well, late-drilled crops have been less fortunate, with poor root development resulting in severe drought stress.

“Some growers will see a good tonnage delivered to the silage clamp; others may not fare as well.

“The results are mainly down to soil type and drilling dates,” said Jon Myhill, technical lead at the Maize Growers Association (MGA).

Early drilling has proven to be the recipe for success, he said, with the harvest in September looking promising and some even reporting a surplus.

“Pollination has been good on maize and the dry matter yield from the cob is also looking promising.

“It’s now down to the weather in the coming month,” he said.

Mr Myhill added that some MGA members growing maize for grain are being approached by neighbouring farms to switch to silage production due to concerns over yields.

Grass too crisp

Shropshire dairy farmer Rob Higgins, who keeps 220 Holstein cows and 180 followers, said while he’s not panicking yet, feeding silage bales to in-calf heifers has started a month earlier than usual.

“We’ve not had any rain here since May and the grass is too crisp for the cows,” he said.

However, with three cuts of silage complete and a good maize crop, Mr Higgins said things aren’t looking too bad.

“We were lucky with the grass, and although there is less of it this year – down about 500t of forage dry matter to where we would like to be on the usual 1,500t – the maize is looking good.

“We’ve also added a wholecrop to extend the maize to make sure we’re OK,” he said.