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
Post-Harvest Cover or Catch Crops
Friday, June 14, 2019
A technical note from John on choosing and implementing cover crops
Drilling Maize in 2019
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Some top tips for drilling maize this year from Simon Draper
Silage Additives
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Some background from Mike Wilkinson on the use of silage additives
Trials Update
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
An update on the status of the MGA small plot trials so far by Sarah
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
Trial Results Conference Paper 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Neil Groom and Oliver Knowland explored the results of the 2018 trials in this presentation. Take a look at what we found out.
Drone Agronomy Conference Paper 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Take a look at what our speaker Craig Green thought about the use of drones in maize agronomy.
Precision Nutrient Application Research Conference Paper 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Take a look at the research results from Denmark for different methods of precision nutrient application presented by our speaker Leif Knudsen.
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.
Moving silage
Thursday, November 1, 2018
In his latest Technical Note for MGA members, Mike Wilkinson outlines procedures for moving silage from one place to another prior to use. Mike can be contacted via the MGA office.
Silage is in short supply and may have to be moved from one site to another before use. The material may have been stored in a bunker or temporary unwalled heap (field clamp or pile) some distance from place of use because existing silo capacity was inadequate, or because insufficient silage was made on site to meet demand.
Short maize - What feed value will it have?
Friday, August 31, 2018
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
Costs of Forage Production (June 2018)
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Average growing costs for Grazed Grass, Silage, Maize with and without film, Wholecrop, Fodder Beet, Kale, Stubble Turnips can be viewed and downloaded.
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
Maize Charter - CSF Case Study No1
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 the Dorset Maize Charter
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
Getting ready for maize 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Over 50% of a good crop of maize is to do with having good soil structure and no matter what variety or fertiliser options are chosen, if the soil structure is poor, a poor yield will result.
To read Simon's latest thoughts on the 2017 maize season, please see attached pdf.
2016 MGA Trials report
Monday, March 27, 2017
Main sponsor Syngenta
Friday, March 3, 2017
Main Sponsor BOCK UK
Friday, March 3, 2017
Poul Hovesen - My Farming system with a focus on Catchment Management
Friday, March 3, 2017
Dr Katrin Gerlach - Practically improving the feed value of your maize silage
Friday, March 3, 2017
John Morgan - MGA's role in promoting sustainable maize growing & MGA Maize Charter
Friday, March 3, 2017
MGA Herbicide trial results
Friday, March 3, 2017
Gayton trial results
Friday, March 3, 2017
Gayton trials - Foliar applications, digestate, row width and plant population
Friday, March 3, 2017
Tim Stephens - Wessex Water - Making the case for Overwintered Cover Crops
Friday, March 3, 2017
Reducing the risk of runoff from autumn wheelings
Friday, September 16, 2016
An email back in the spring from ADAS senior researcher Dr Martyn Silgram was the catalyst for this short technical note on the potential to reduce soil compaction and the resultant water, sediment and associated agro chemicals runoff from tractor and trailer wheelings in the autumn, by using the right tyres and some innovative kit.
Key Maize harvest tips
Friday, September 16, 2016
The warm dry weather means that the maize crops continue to romp through their growth stages and that harvest will soon be upon us. With this in mind I have had a quick scan through past harvest guides to come up with what I hope will be some useful timely reminders.
Cover crops for water protection
Friday, September 16, 2016
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MGA Introduction
As part of the MGA on-going attempts to further increase the sustainability of maize growing we have asked Tim Stephens of Wessex water to set out and explain the on farm research/demonstration work he and the company are doing.
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Introduction
In response to rising levels of nitrates and pesticides in surface and ground waters, Wessex Water has been working with farmers in high-risk catchments across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset for the past 11 years. The aim of this is to make sure that drinking water and environmental standards are not breached. A team of Catchment Advisers carry out a range of activities including free soil, water, crop and manure sampling, provision of agronomic advice and in some cases, funding for farmers to adopt practices that improve water quality. Nitrate (N) leaching during the winter period is a major issue across many catchments. One of the most common practices promoted by Wessex Water to reduce this is the growing of cover crops as an alternative to bare overwinter maize or cereal stubbles.
Report on the MGA trip to France
Monday, August 1, 2016
Grower and commercial members teamed up recently to head to Picardy in Northern France with Simon Draper, MGA agronomist, to learn what is new from French researchers and growers.
Attached is a summary of the points picked up by the travellers. We hope the summary proves useful to members and would ask that questions you have be channelled to Simon, via the MGA office.
Maize eyespot in 2016
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
The maize crop is potentially at risk from Maize eyespot, a foliar disease which can desiccate the crop and reduce yields by up to 60% this year. Maize eyespot is noted by the circular lesions on the leaf which can quickly join together to cause death of the whole leaf and eventually the plant. Please see attached note for advice.
MGA Weed Star Chart
Monday, May 16, 2016
Maize weed control 2016
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Normally I would (and still do) recommend a two spray programme for weed control in maize but with the later drillings it is likely that the maize will emerge and grow quickly (unless it is being drilled under cold conditions). if this is the case then a good long lasting pre-emergence may achieve season long control on its own this year.
