Farmers keen to learn more about grain maize production are being given the opportunity to discuss harvesting and drying techniques along with other agronomy issues at a free afternoon meeting on Tuesday October 16. The event, run by the Maize Growers Association and organised by ADAS, will be held at the Catchment Sensitive Farming Grain Maize Demonstration site close to junction 29 of the M5 near Exeter.
Speakers from the Maize Growers Association will discuss a range of topics including variety selection, recognising the signs of grain maize maturity, harvesting issues including combine set-up and post-harvest handling as well as post-harvest cultivations and over-winter maize stubble options.
"Grain maize production offers arable and mixed farmers the option of an a very profitable crop that spreads annual workload and extends the working season of arable machinery," says John Morgan of the Maize Growers Association. "However being a late harvested, spring sown crop, maize fields do need to be managed appropriately to avoid soil erosion and run-off," he explains.
To protect the environment soil, and the nutrients and pesticides it contains, must be kept out of streams and other watercourses. However, soil is also the farmer's basic raw material so it is in everyone's interests to keep it where it belongs, in the field.
Plots have been established at the purpose-drilled site near Exeter to help growers exploit the potential of the maize crop be it as forage or grain maize, as well as to improve their management of the environmental challenges associated with maize production.
This event will be the third in a series of five planned for the current cropping year. Future meetings will take place in November and February.
For further details or to book a place at the event, please contact ADAS on 08456 023864 or email ecsfdi@adas.co.uk