Grain Maize
Gradual climate change alongside a more focused UK maize variety breeding program has enabled Grain Maize to be grown consistently in much of the UK. Grain maize economics compare well with small grain alternatives and the crop provides a great break crop opportunity both agronomic ally and machinery/labour wise. MGA grain maize resources focus on agronomy and post harvest management of the crop.
Resources: Grain Maize
Grain Maize - By Jon Myhill
Friday, October 27, 2023
Why Grain Maize is the Crop for Me - By Will Oliver
Friday, October 27, 2023
Groundswell
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Drilling Trial Summaries, East of England
Thursday, April 7, 2022
Drilling Trial Summaries South West England
Thursday, April 7, 2022
MGA Conference Review
Thursday, April 7, 2022
The Potential of Additional Available Nitrogen Testing
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Preparing for Drilling 2022
Thursday, February 24, 2022
N Predictor Form Excel Version
Thursday, February 24, 2022
2022 MGA Maize Variety Booklet
Monday, December 20, 2021
Status of the UK Maize Crop
Sunday, November 21, 2021
Farming Rules for Water Update
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Harvest Planning
Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Late Drilled Maize
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Drilling and Pre-Em Herbicides
Monday, March 22, 2021
N Predictor Form
Monday, March 22, 2021
Alternatives to Forage Maize
Monday, February 15, 2021
Maize Strip Till Case Study
Monday, February 15, 2021
Field Losses and Harvesting and Uneven Crop
Friday, August 7, 2020
Maize at Different Stages
Friday, June 26, 2020
Simon's latest article on the next step for maize crops around the country that, at present, are at a variety of stages due to the weather pattern seen so far this year.
Weed Control for 2020 Season
Monday, May 11, 2020
Growing Maize Right
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
An article from John Morgan on best practice maize drilling for 2020.
Seed Dressings Going into 2020
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
A paper by Simon on the seed dressings available for 2020 drilling and a prediction as to what options there may be going forward
Danish Research Original
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
The original Danish research paper used in John's research review in the mid-December mailing.
Things to Think About for Next Year
Monday, September 30, 2019
Simon's report on things that the grower should be thinking about once harvest is over ready for next year.
European Maize Meeting Review
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Sarah's report on this year's European Maize Meeting held in Nottingham at the beginning of September. If you have any questions, or would like to request copies of the papers presented, please email or phone the office.
Determining Dry Matter Content
Thursday, July 25, 2019
A technical note from Sarah detailing methods of determining DM in the run up to harvest
Effects of Weather on Maize Yield
Thursday, July 25, 2019
A technical article from Mike Wilkinson on the effects of different weather patterns on maize yield
Maize Eyespot
Friday, June 14, 2019
A technical note from Simon explaining how to manage maize eyespot
Post-Harvest Cover or Catch Crops
Friday, June 14, 2019
A technical note from John on choosing and implementing cover crops
Nitrogen Predictor Form
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Our N Predictor Data Entry Form has had a revamp - hopefully it is a little more user-friendly and now allows for more options when recording organic nitrogen that has previously been applied.
Please print off or fill in a copy and post or email to Sarah in the office; we will aim to respond to you quickly as we can.
Urease Inhibitors Factsheet
Friday, March 29, 2019
Placed Phosphate
Friday, March 29, 2019
Navigating Brexit Conference Paper 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Have a read of the NFU's actions and outlook with regards to Brexit and find out what it all means for farmers with Tori Morgan's presentation.
European maize meeting report
Thursday, November 1, 2018
In early September John Morgan and Simon Draper attended the European Maize Meeting (EMM), this year held in Belgium, on behalf of the MGA. The meeting, hosted jointly by the Belgian maize organisations, Uclouvain and CIPF, was held in Gembloux, approximately 50 km south east of Brussels and as in the past consisted of three elements.
A classroom-based session when the Status of the Maize Crop in different countries was outlined by our hosts.
This year’s chosen subject was Undersowing and the Impact of Undersowing on Nutrient and Soil retention.
Costs of production
Monday, August 20, 2018
The latest in the Costs of Forage Production series is based on average yields and quality. Costs of production are assume contractors undertaking establishment and annual management tasks with crop nutrients being supplied by straight inorganic (bagged) fertiliser. No feed out costs or waste are included.
Westerwolds offer a real opportunity
Monday, August 20, 2018
The hot, dry conditions have hit/ obliterated most second and third cut silages, as well as impacting on many maize crops, to the point that many growers are currently short of grazed grass as well as being down on forage stocks for the winter. The likely early harvest of maize this autumn and recent rain does offer some opportunities to fill the forage gaps, as do extending grazing in the autumn and hopefully next spring.
Maize Heat units 2018
Monday, August 20, 2018
Data received from MGA corporate members Grainseed ltd this week makes fascinating reading. Using metrological office data, the team have completed Maize Heat Unit (MHU) calculations for different regions of the country, which along with sunshine and rainfall data the MHU data goes a long way to explain the huge variation in maize crops across the country.
Maize heat units attempt to quantify the “useful growing units” for maize and are based on average daily temperatures (minus 6 degrees) for each month. The 2018 MHU’s, sunshine and rainfall data have been compared with the 30 year averages.
Droughted maize - Don't panic yet
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Getting ready for maize 2018
Monday, April 16, 2018
Producing a seedbed
As a result of the wet, cold and snowy conditions throughout so much of the country during February and March, establishing this year’s maize seed bed will inevitably be a challenge for many. The good news is that if fields have been ploughed there should have been sufficient frost action to enable the generation of a seedbed without resorting to the power harrow. The aim has to be to develop a seed bed that allows roots to get down to depth quickly, without hindrance of pans which can result, as a consequence of using power harrows in the wrong circumstances.
MGA Trials programme 2018
Monday, April 16, 2018
Last week saw the approval of the 2018 MGA research programme, the field work of which will take place during the upcoming growing season. Results will be presented at the next MGA conference (2019). The results for the 2017 trials are now on line.
What and why? – Using data from last summers membership survey and consultation within the MGA council, Simon Draper has coordinated the production of a set of Research Proposals which have been sent to contractors for quotations. Quotes are now in and tenders offered.
During 2018 we propose to run trials ranging from weed control to crop nutrition. The MGA research programme runs alongside work being undertaken on behalf of the British Society of Plant Breeders BSPB (partly funded by the MGA) into maize variety testing and disease tolerance.
Nitrogen Predictor Form
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Nigtrogen Predictor Form - Download and return to the MGA office
Eyespot & cover crop report 2017
Monday, March 12, 2018
MGA Herbicide trial report 2017
Monday, March 12, 2018
Fertiliser trial report 2017
Monday, March 12, 2018
Undersowing Maize - CSF Case Study No2
Sunday, February 25, 2018
With support from Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) we have revisited research, demonstration and advisory work done along with CSF over recent years and produced case studies summarising the key lessons learnt.
This Case Study focuses on undersowing maize to retain nutrient and soil over the subsequent winter period.
MGA Eyespot update
Friday, July 21, 2017
Eyespot can be identified on the crop in the initial phases as nail head sized, circular brown spots surrounded by a yellow halo. The spots coalesce and join up with adjacent lesions, to eventually cause the whole leaf to turn brown and die.
MGA Cover crop trial results
Friday, July 21, 2017
With whole crop barley and rye harvest completed and wholecrop wheat underway for many growers there is a good opportunity to grow a catch or cover crop and benefit from extra grazing or improvements to soil organic matter and nutrient retention.
Key to success is treating the cover as a crop and drilling it properly rather than spinning it on and hoping that it rains and the seed chits and grows. Some early nitrogen can also kick the crop on and ensure good early growth if field nutrient status is low.
MGA weed star chart 2017
Friday, May 5, 2017
