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 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.
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.
Drying grain maize
Friday, December 1, 2006
Neil Groom from Grainseeds explains the methods for drying grain maize.
Top tips for after harvest field management
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Advice from Simon on post harvest cultivations.
Late season weed control
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Simon Draper discusses useful tips for late spray applications.
Weed control in forage maize 2006
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
Simon reviews the chemicals available to combat weeds in maize.
Minimising Soil Management problems
Friday, March 31, 2006
Professor Gordon Spoor discusses how to achieve suitable soil structure and condition for maize.
Watch the manure & fertiliser inputs
Monday, February 20, 2006
Simon Draper discusses the requirements of nutrients for the maize plant.
Maize Variety choice for 2006
Friday, December 23, 2005
This sets out to help you make important choices of variety for 2006.
Grain maize - Whats it all about?
Friday, October 21, 2005
Agronomy of variety choice for grain maize.