Success can still be achieved in the wet
Success can still be achieved in the wet
Maize grain, fertiliser and
reducing soil compaction
were just some of the topics
under discussion at the
Maize Growers Association
conference held at
the Royal Agricultural
College, Cirencester, Glos.
Marianne Curtis reports
DESPITE one of the wettest years on record, MGA trials in the South of England show that grain maize could be successfully produced in the UK.
Costing £6/t less than wheat to grow, MGA research and development committee chairman Tim Gue told delegates attending the MGA conference that grain maize is a viable option for home-grown feed on UK dairy farms.
"Obviously if we had known what a year it would be, we wouldnt have been so foolish as to try growing grain maize. But we have certainly tested it in the worst year any of us can remember."
Maize was sown in the first week of May, three weeks later than intended due to poor weather. Although two of the four sites in the trial were harvested in mid to late November, the other two were abandoned following flooding. "Lodging was also a problem with some varieties."
Highest yielding varieties tended also to be best standing and included Caviar, Justina, Loft and Noveta, according to Mr Gue. "Yield on my farm was 4.4t/acre at 30% moisture which is equivalent to 3.8t/acre at 15% moisture, after drying."
But with maize having such a high moisture content at harvest, drying is expensive. "Expect drying cost to be 85p for each 1% above 15% moisture. Cost can range from £10/t to £15/t depending on whether drying is done on or off farm."
Growing costs, including drying, work out at about £88/t, said Mr Gue. "Grain maize, therefore, will give similar yields to winter wheat but costs about £6/t less to grow."
When markets develop for UK maize grain, most will go for animal feed rather than human food, he says. "Currently feed grain maize is worth about £100/t, however, care over seed source means it may be possible to supply the GM-free market which commands an extra £30/t premium."
But Mr Gue fed grain maize from trials to his dairy herd following crimping and treatment with propionic acid. "We ensiled grain maize at about 30% moisture and cows have milked well on it, even though they are already receiving 80% of forage as maize." *
Is grain maize a viable option? Tim Gue believes so, even after poor growing conditions last year.
GRAINMAIZE
• Costs £88/t to grow.
• Yield similar to wheat.
• Useful dairy feed.