Harvesting maize in a difficult season.
Thursday, October 4, 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.
