Agronomy

Agronomy

Growing economical and environmentally sustainable yields of top quality maize remain a key requirement of growers be that for grain, silage or biogas production.   MGA Agronomy resources continue to provide technical advice aimed at growing great crops at a cost that ensures members maximise returns. MGA agronomy advice includes information on variety choice, seedbed preparation, weed control and harvest etc.  MGA agronomist advice is available free to members.

 
 

Resources: Agronomy

MGA 1st choice varieties for favourable sites

Friday, December 23, 2011

Variety data is this year presented in a Favourable and non Favourable site list.  Data is generated from the independent NIAB trials programme supported by the British Society of Plant Breeders and the MGA.  Only first choice varieties are listed in the MGA tables.

 

2011 Northan Irish Maize Variety List (includes plastic)

Friday, December 2, 2011

 The Northern Irish Maize Variety list is a must read document for those growing maize with or without plastic in marginal areas.

 

2011 Southern Irish Maize Variety List (includes plastic)

Friday, December 2, 2011

 The southern Irish Recommended Maize Variety List includes data on varieties grown with an without plastic and should prove invaluable for those choosing varieties in marginal areas.

Organic Maize growing guide

Thursday, December 1, 2011

The MGA have produced an Organic maize growers guide.  There are several members successfully growing maize organically.

The Economics of Maize under plastic

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

John Morgan reviews the current economics of maize grown under plastic.  He looks at research work done in Ireland and Northern Ireland and compares the costs and benefits of maize with and without plastic.

Harvesting maize in wet conditions.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Simon Draper advises members on how to safely harvest maize in wet conditions and prevent soil erosion and run off.

Maize Ready to Go?

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Maize harvest is upon us, some MGA members have already harvested this year's maize crop, but many farmers are still waiting for the cobs to ripen.  Chris Savery gives members some excellent advice on dry matter, clamping and sheeting down the maize to get the best from what has been a difficult year for many maize growers. 

Maize Under Plastic -

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

John Morgans presentation at Marginal Maize Meeting, 20/9/2011

2011 Maize Variety Booklet/List

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Guidance on variety choice including MGA Variety selector.

MGA Harvest Guide 2011

Friday, August 19, 2011

An updated guide to maize harvesting in 2011  Includes: Dry matter at harvest, chop length, additives, salt, filling and sheeting the pit, post harvest cultivations, mycotoxins and control of eyespot, biogas maize, grain maize and corn cob mix.

Post emergence weed control 2011

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Useful tips for controlling weeds in this dry spring.

Weed Star Guide 2011

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Guide to spray options and what to choose for what weed.

Dry weather and drilling

Friday, April 1, 2011

Simon Draper has given some useful tips for drilling maize in these dry conditions.

MGA Conference Papers 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Full copy of the 2011 MGA conference held at Harper Adams University College in February 2011

  • Crimped maize grain for finishing beef cattle - Simon Marsh
  • Grain maize opportunities - Alistair House
  • MGA Research results - Simon Draper - Cultivation, starter fertiliser, drilling dates,seed size and dressings, variety type, slurry, nitrogen, foliar feeds, herbicides, pastic
  • Maize growing in Germany
  • Anaerobic digestion on my farm - Stephen Temple

 

MGA Harvest guide 2010

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

A guide to harvesting the 2010 maize harvest.

Corn Borer Identified in South West England

Friday, August 20, 2010

Following a postive identification of Eurpoean Corn Borer damage in the south west during 2010.  This update was mailed to members.

Stoke Bardolf Energy Crop AD (Anaerobic Digestion) - Biogas

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Biogas plant operator, MGA member and past MGA chairman John Jackson reviews the Severn Trent 2 MWe Energy Crop Digester

Storing and clamp management for maize

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Chris Savery talks through good clamp management.

Rat Problems in Maize

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Members will we hope, remember a recent request to take part on what is thought to be the first ever national study focusing on rat problems associated with maize. The study coordinated via BASF Pest Control Solutions has come up with both expected and surprising conclusions. 

Post emergence weed control

Friday, May 21, 2010

Simon Draper advises members on the correct use of herbicides.

Herbicide Star Guide

Friday, May 21, 2010

A useful guide to the best hebicide to use on specific weed problems.

MGA Nitrogen Predictor input form

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Fill in form and send to MGA office for results.

Review of 2010 Trials

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Simon Draper's review of the 2010 MGA trials.

Variety choices 2010

Monday, February 1, 2010

Simon Draper passes on tips for choosing the right maize variety for 2010.

European Maize meeting report

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

John Morgan reports on the N & P requirements on European maize crops.

Eyespot and what to do.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Good advice from Simon Draper on Eyespot

Weed control in 2009

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Simon gives useful tips for spray options this year.

Weed control in 2009

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Simon gives useful tips for spray options this year.

Planting maize in 2009

Monday, April 20, 2009

Simon has given members useful tips for planting maize this spring.

Getting ready for the 2009 maize crop

Friday, March 6, 2009

Simon Draper prepares MGA members and the ground for the new, hopefully easier maize growing season.

Getting ready for Maize in 2009

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Simon Draper gives us tips for establishing maize after the difficulties of this year.

Harvesting maize under wet conditions

Friday, October 17, 2008

Simon gives good advice on best practice to get maize into the clamp safely this Autumn.

Maize eyespot update

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Simon warns farmers in the South West to look out for eyespot.

Maize dry down rates

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Briony Lennox summarises the results of NIAB/BSPB trials studying differing dry down rates in maize varieties.

Maize under plastic - Progress so far

Monday, August 25, 2008

MGA Council member John Whitby reviews his first attempt at growing maize under plastic. This will be followed by other articles on harvesting and feeding.

Maize Under Plastic

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

John Morgan writes about growing maize under plastic.

Weed control now the maize is up

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Simon has some useful tips for spraying maize this spring.

A quick note about slugs

Friday, May 16, 2008

Getting ready for maize in 2008

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Simon Draper gives good advice on establishing maize in yet another unusual spring.

MGA Recommended Variety choices 2008

Thursday, November 22, 2007

The new Variety tables for 2008.

Crop comparison costs

Monday, November 19, 2007

Grain maize costs compared to other arable crops.

Choosing maize seed dressings

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Simon explains the reasons for choosing seed dressings and seed rates.

Maize Eyespot - An unwelcome return

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Maize eyespot update from Simon Draper

Weed control update

Friday, June 1, 2007

Simon Draper keeps members up to date with weed control this June.

Post emergence weed control for a dry spring

Friday, May 11, 2007

Timely advice from Simon Draper for post emergence weed control in this dry spring.

Maize drilling tips

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Simon Draper gives us some timely advice on maize drilling.

MGA Weed spray star chart

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

A very useful tool for identifying weeds and the best control sprays.

The MGA N Predictor explained

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

John Morgan explains the reasoning behind the N predictor.

Seed dressings and seed rates.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Simon reviews the last three years seed dressing trials run by the MGA.