Most maize is done in south
Most maize is done in south
MOST maize crops in the south are clamped and contractors are now moving into crops on more challenging sites.
This weeks dry matter results show the rate of increase has slowed due to falling temperatures, writes Grainseeds Neil Groom. Weekly rises in crop dry matter are expected to fall to 1% by late October.
The crop in Norfolk is due to be harvested this week at a higher DM than normal, as it is stored in tower silos. Despite the small rise in dry matter for sites in Derbys, Dyfed and Dumfries, cob maturity has moved on with plants remaining green.
Samples have been taken from the Leyburn site, North Yorks, now Form D restrictions have been lifted. The crop has a DM of 26% and bumper yields are predicted, following the trend in crops already harvested south of York.
Similarly, maize at SAC Dumfries is approaching full maturity, but wet and windy weather has halted harvesting on other sites in west Scotland. *
Maize dry matter Oct 5
Site Height
above sea
level DM% DM%
(m) rise
Petworth, Sussex 50 H –
Harleston, Norfolk 30 31.8 +3.1
Crediton, Devon 118 H –
Ticknall, Derbys 67 24.4 +1.0
Gelli Aur, Dyfed* 23 24.5 0
Leyburn, N Yorks* 107 26.0 –
SAC, Dumfries* 45 21.5 +0.7
* — Harvested
*Variety Nancis, all other sites Soldier.