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
The Common Agricultural Policy Reforms
Thursday, August 28, 2014
The reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will bring about change in many areas of farming in 2015. There will be the transfer from the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), with its new Greening rules, as well as changes to Cross Compliance. While the fine details have yet to be finalised we thought it may be useful to have a summary of what we know so far.
The summary has been produced by Laura Gude who works with John at Creedy Associates. The information presented is to the best of our knowledge correct. That said, we would urge you to seek individual advice to clarify the facts as they relate to your business.
Maize eyespot
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
With the window for spraying rapidly closing, (the maize crop being waist high) now is the time to decide whether maize eyespot control should be undertaken.
Post emergence weed control for maize 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
With the maize now emerging it is vitally important to ensure good weed control at the early stage of the crops life and any tiny weeds should be controlled - do not wait until the weeds are as big as the maize as yield losses will have already been caused.
Simon Draper lists the herbicides available and the weeds they kill.
Cover crops for maize
Thursday, May 29, 2014
John Morgan has written a useful article for anyone contemplating over sowing their maize this year.
With June fast approaching, now is the time that growers should start thinking about oversowing their maize with a green cover crop, that will soak up nitrogen, which if left may well leach to the groundwater.
Useful work in this area continues to be undertaken; both in the UK where DEFRA funded work being undertaken by ADAS, Rothamsted, North Wyke and the MGA on two sites and across Europe. Leading this oversowing work are the Danes, who as a consequence of the greening options associated with the agricultural support, have legal obligations to oversow much of their maize ground.
How much maize have I got?
Thursday, May 29, 2014
During the summer of 2012, the tough year that most of us will want to forget, the MGA produced a mailing which enabled growers to better quantify the volumes of maize they would harvest and as a result make them better able to think about alternatives to fill the clamps, sooner rather than later. The technical note proved very useful and for this reason we have reproduced it here to aid those keen to better monitor crop performance as this year progresses.
update No 6 - Post emergence applications of nitrogen to the maize crop
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Simons latest update on fertiliser applications to the growing maize crop.
14th May Maize Agronomy Update
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Simon Drapers 14th May Maize Agronomy Note is now avaiable.
Maize Agronomy update No. 4
Friday, May 9, 2014
Agronomy update 30th April 2014
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Simon Draper's latest update on drilling maize this Spring.
17th April 2014 Agronomy Update
Monday, April 21, 2014
Simons latest update is available by clicking on the link.
14 April Maize Agronomy Update
Monday, April 14, 2014
Follow the link to download the latest update from Simon Draper MGA agronomist.
Ten tips for growing maize in 2014
Friday, April 4, 2014
Neil Groom, MGA Council member and director of Grainseeds Ltd has written a very topical and helpful article listing 10 top tips for growing maize this year.
Key maize growing issues
Friday, April 4, 2014
Simon Draper gives us an update on maize growing issues this year, including whether to plough or not, what sprays are available, seed rates and fertiliser requirements.
MGA Weed Star Chart 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Simon Draper has updated the MGA weed star chart, which is included in the mailing, its a very useful, easy to use guide.
Weed control in maize 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Maize drilling has been moving on a pace and with the slightly warmer temperatures in some parts of the country; maize has already germinated and has reached the 1 - 2 leaf stage.
Get out and take a look!
Maize under plastic in South Devon
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A visit to Graeme and brother Patrick Cocks farm nr Ashburton in Devon confirmed one of the key benefits of establishing maize under plastic.
Graeme and his team were cultivating and drilling maize on the April 5th being able to take advantage of the dry if not cold conditions to get crops in the ground almost a month before many would consider establishing maize without film cover.
Drilling maize this spring
Monday, March 25, 2013
As you all know maize does not like compaction of any sort and so it is going to be a challenge to try and get a reasonable growing medium in many fields. This technical note will, hopefully give you some ideas as to how to go about producing a viable seedbed for this year’s crop. Finally, a word of caution as each field should be treated individually, please take the enclosed suggestions as general rather than definitive advice.
Costs of forage production
Monday, March 25, 2013
John Morgan has updated the costs of forage production for grazed grass, grass silage, maize wholecrop, fodder beet kale and Italian ryegrass.
Lessons learnt from 2012
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
John Morgan reviews the maize season of 2012 and discusses the lessons we can learn from a bad maize growing year.
Nitrogen Predictor form
Monday, January 14, 2013
Variety choice made, the next thing on the maize 2012 list will be how much fertiliser will the crop need? With this in mind, we would encourage members to use the MGA Nitrogen Predictor to calculate their bagged fertiliser nitrogen requirements.
The Nitrogen predictor, originally designed ten or so years ago takes into account location, soil conditions, target drilling and harvest dates, as well as the nutrient content of any manures applied, to come up with a bagged nitrogen requirement for the crop. The predictor is well proven over time, with farmer feedback over the years being used to update the original research based systems.
The predictor has also been used by farmers to justify their nitrogen applications to NVZ inspectors and therefore, goes some way to meet the NVZ record keeping requirements. Fill in and return the enclosed N predictor input form to get the ball rolling.
Irish Recommended Forage Maize Variety List 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
The 2012 Irish Recommended Forage Maize Variety List provides independent guidance on variety choice for maize grown with and without plastic. The list should form a key part of UK growers variety choice for 2013 as no maize independent under plastic variety trials are undertaken here.
Harvesting maize in a difficult season
Monday, October 22, 2012
Maize in the drier and warmer eastern half of the country is generally average /good and harvest is now underway. In the west a different story has developed, with many crops having struggled for a multitude of reasons from drilling.
With such a contrast in conditions and crop growth stage, working out the right date for harvest will be very difficult. This task will be particularly difficult for growers with stunted crops, which may or may not have a viable cob.
The good news is that the warmer weather of September has advanced crop maturity in all areas and even many of those with stunted crops now have cobs, which given time will lay down starch. Ironically if the starch is laid down in these stunted crops, then overall maize quality could be good. Yields will of course be down considerably.
The advice here is to 'wait as long as you dare' to ensure that the cobs have as much starch in as possible. That said, it cannot be forgotten that delaying harvest is not generally a good idea, as poor harvest conditions and frost can cause as much of a yield loss as is trying to be gained by delaying the harvest for maximum starch yield.
Maize crops turning yellow?
Friday, August 10, 2012
How much maize have I got
Saturday, July 7, 2012
John Morgan has produced a "guide" to working out what yield to expect from your maize this year. This involves counting plants and estimating the yield.
Maize and the weather in 2012
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Simon Draper gives us some useful advice on what to do and expect from the maize this year.
How much maize have I got?
Saturday, July 7, 2012
The cold and wet weather during the spring and summer has put many maize crops under pressure with concerns now being raised as to the yield and quality of the forage that will be harvested. With options of home grown or even purchased wholecrop still available now is the time to work out where you stand.
How much maize will I get?
This year’s maize yields are under threat due to the cold and wet conditions. Early drilled maize, where it got away before the rain, has to a large extent stalled. That drilled early into soils that have subsequently capped has struggled to breakthrough with plant populations severely hit in some cases. Later drilled maize has avoided the early pitfalls but it is also struggling to grow in far from ideal conditions. All the above will at best delay maize harvest but in many cases will also impact on crop yield.
Maize not germinating - time to panic?
Thursday, May 3, 2012
With a lot maize drilled into the good conditions in early April and with the following wet and cold weather, the maize unsurprisingly is very slow to get going.
Simon Draper gives us some useful advice for drilling in these wet conditions.
Cold & Wet - Ideal conditions for maize?
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Simon Draper talks about the conditions this spring and gives advice on what we should be doing, whether we have already drilled or are waiting for conditions to improve.
MGA Herbicide Guide 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Each year Simon Draper updates the popular herbicide star chart. This chart lists all the relevant sprays used in the control of weeds and their effectiveness in controlling the most common grass and broad leaved weeds found in maize crops.
Early drilling in 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Simon gives us some useful tips for earluy planting of maize this year.
MGA Conference - Agrinexus Ltd: Crop and Condition Specific Forage Inoculants
Friday, March 16, 2012
Andrew May from Agrinexus talks about crop and condition specific forage inoculants Lactisil and silosolve brands
MGA Conference - Envirosystems: Back to Basics
Friday, March 16, 2012
Liz Russell from Envirosystems discusses a whole farm approach to growing your profit from every litre of slurry
MGA Conference - Plantsyence: Advance66
Friday, March 16, 2012
Edmund Stevens of Plantsyence talks about Advance66 and the importance of Phosphorous for a good maize crop.
MGA Conference - Syngenta: weed control
Friday, March 16, 2012
Gary Jobling from Syngenta discusses the importance of early season weed control for increasing yield potential.
MGA Conference - Grainseed Ltd: fertilisers
Friday, March 16, 2012
Neil Groom of Grainseed Ltd talks about the different options available from his firm for fertilisers.
Results of the Grain Maize Trials 2008-11 published
Friday, March 16, 2012
Click to see full results of all varieties.
Growing Maize for Bioenergy
Friday, March 2, 2012
John Burgess from KWS gives us an objective view on the maize crop options, be they breeding, agronomy and or quality for biogas production in the UK.
Maize within my low cost milk production system
Friday, March 2, 2012
Gavin Fowler ( 2011 Dairy Farmer of the Year, Farmers Weekly) explains his farming system and how maize continues to play an important role on his North Devon farm.
MGA Herbicide Trial Research results 2011
Friday, March 2, 2012
Simon Draper reports on the herbicide trials done by the MGA in 2011.
MGA Research 2011 - Cultivation options, maize cut at different heights, organic manures.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Neil Groom from Grainseeds organised the trials that included cultivation options and fuel costs, the quality of maize cut at different heights and organic manures on growing crops. His report is included in the agronomy section and environment.
MGA 1st choice varieties for less favourable sites
Friday, December 23, 2011
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.
