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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.