Good increase in maize yields

5 October 2001

Good increase in maize yields

MANY contractors are reporting maize yields up by 10-15 %, due to excellent conditions this summer, writes Grainseeds Neil Groom.

Looking at samples taken on Sept 30, dry matters have remained static due to rain before sampling. Many crops in the south are now fully mature and corn crackers must be used at harvest to ensure all grains are bruised.

Maize crops harvested at Petworth, Sussex, and the Wiltshire College at Lackham reached 30% DM and yielded about 50t/ha (20t/acre) freshweight. These fields have been ploughed and the following crop of winter wheat drilled.

Our Norfolk grower reports that although samples of Soldier are mature on lighter areas of his unit, the crop on heavier land is about 10 days away from maturity.

It is vital for growers to continue walking all fields to assess plant maturity and let the contractor know when the crop will be ready for cutting. &#42

Maize dry matter Sept 30

Site Height DM% DM%

above rise

sea

level (m)

Petworth, Sussex 50 H –

Harleston, Norfolk 30 28.7 +0.5

Crediton, Devon 118 H –

Ticknall, Derbys 67 23.4 -0.4

Gelli Aur, Dyfed* 23 24.5 +0.1

SAC, Dumfries* 45 20.8 +0.6

&#42 – harvested.

*Variety Nancis, all other sites Soldier.