Environment
Maize is more water efficient and stores more carbon than many other crops. Maize is also an excellent target crop for the efficient use of organic manures Such positives must be balanced with the soil structure, nutrient overload and biodiversity challenges associated with the crop. The MGA environment publications, being free to all, attempt to inform growers of the positives and potential negatives of growing maize and other wholecrop forages.
Resources: Environment
Late Harvested Maize
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Mike Wilkinson's January article on things to look out for in late-harvested maize.
Things to Think About for Next Year
Monday, September 30, 2019
Simon's report on things that the grower should be thinking about once harvest is over ready for next year.
European Maize Meeting Review
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Sarah's report on this year's European Maize Meeting held in Nottingham at the beginning of September. If you have any questions, or would like to request copies of the papers presented, please email or phone the office.
Case Study: Stephen Temple
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Case study of council member Stephen Temple in Norfolk focusing on his conversion to Conservation Agriculture.
Effects of Weather on Maize Yield
Thursday, July 25, 2019
A technical article from Mike Wilkinson on the effects of different weather patterns on maize yield
Post-Harvest Cover or Catch Crops
Friday, June 14, 2019
A technical note from John on choosing and implementing cover crops
Nitrogen Predictor Form
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Our N Predictor Data Entry Form has had a revamp - hopefully it is a little more user-friendly and now allows for more options when recording organic nitrogen that has previously been applied.
Please print off or fill in a copy and post or email to Sarah in the office; we will aim to respond to you quickly as we can.
Navigating Brexit Conference Paper 2019
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Have a read of the NFU's actions and outlook with regards to Brexit and find out what it all means for farmers with Tori Morgan's presentation.
Clean Air Strategy
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
Observant members amongst you will have noticed that there are changes in how we manage ammonia emissions being proposed in the Clean Air Strategy 2018 recently published by the government.
While the strategy has yet to be finalised, several key principles have been established and should be considered by growers when planning their organic manure, including digestate, and manufactured nitrogen applications in future.
See John's article in Environment section of the website.
European maize meeting report
Thursday, November 1, 2018
In early September John Morgan and Simon Draper attended the European Maize Meeting (EMM), this year held in Belgium, on behalf of the MGA. The meeting, hosted jointly by the Belgian maize organisations, Uclouvain and CIPF, was held in Gembloux, approximately 50 km south east of Brussels and as in the past consisted of three elements.
A classroom-based session when the Status of the Maize Crop in different countries was outlined by our hosts.
This year’s chosen subject was Undersowing and the Impact of Undersowing on Nutrient and Soil retention.
Moving silage
Thursday, November 1, 2018
In his latest Technical Note for MGA members, Mike Wilkinson outlines procedures for moving silage from one place to another prior to use. Mike can be contacted via the MGA office.
Silage is in short supply and may have to be moved from one site to another before use. The material may have been stored in a bunker or temporary unwalled heap (field clamp or pile) some distance from place of use because existing silo capacity was inadequate, or because insufficient silage was made on site to meet demand.
Costs of production
Monday, August 20, 2018
The latest in the Costs of Forage Production series is based on average yields and quality. Costs of production are assume contractors undertaking establishment and annual management tasks with crop nutrients being supplied by straight inorganic (bagged) fertiliser. No feed out costs or waste are included.
Westerwolds offer a real opportunity
Monday, August 20, 2018
The hot, dry conditions have hit/ obliterated most second and third cut silages, as well as impacting on many maize crops, to the point that many growers are currently short of grazed grass as well as being down on forage stocks for the winter. The likely early harvest of maize this autumn and recent rain does offer some opportunities to fill the forage gaps, as do extending grazing in the autumn and hopefully next spring.
Droughted maize - Don't panic yet
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Costs of Forage Production (June 2018)
Thursday, June 14, 2018
Average growing costs for Grazed Grass, Silage, Maize with and without film, Wholecrop, Fodder Beet, Kale, Stubble Turnips can be viewed and downloaded.
Getting ready for maize 2018
Monday, April 16, 2018
Producing a seedbed
As a result of the wet, cold and snowy conditions throughout so much of the country during February and March, establishing this year’s maize seed bed will inevitably be a challenge for many. The good news is that if fields have been ploughed there should have been sufficient frost action to enable the generation of a seedbed without resorting to the power harrow. The aim has to be to develop a seed bed that allows roots to get down to depth quickly, without hindrance of pans which can result, as a consequence of using power harrows in the wrong circumstances.
MGA Trials programme 2018
Monday, April 16, 2018
Last week saw the approval of the 2018 MGA research programme, the field work of which will take place during the upcoming growing season. Results will be presented at the next MGA conference (2019). The results for the 2017 trials are now on line.
What and why? – Using data from last summers membership survey and consultation within the MGA council, Simon Draper has coordinated the production of a set of Research Proposals which have been sent to contractors for quotations. Quotes are now in and tenders offered.
During 2018 we propose to run trials ranging from weed control to crop nutrition. The MGA research programme runs alongside work being undertaken on behalf of the British Society of Plant Breeders BSPB (partly funded by the MGA) into maize variety testing and disease tolerance.
Nitrogen Predictor Form
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Nigtrogen Predictor Form - Download and return to the MGA office
Eyespot & cover crop report 2017
Monday, March 12, 2018
MGA Herbicide trial report 2017
Monday, March 12, 2018
Fertiliser trial report 2017
Monday, March 12, 2018
Maize Charter - CSF Case Study No1
Sunday, February 25, 2018
With support from Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) we have revisited research, demonstration and advisory work done along with CSF over recent years and produced case studies summarising the key lessons learnt.
This Case Study focuses on the Dorset Maize Charter
Undersowing Maize - CSF Case Study No2
Sunday, February 25, 2018
With support from Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) we have revisited research, demonstration and advisory work done along with CSF over recent years and produced case studies summarising the key lessons learnt.
This Case Study focuses on undersowing maize to retain nutrient and soil over the subsequent winter period.
MGA Eyespot update
Friday, July 21, 2017
Eyespot can be identified on the crop in the initial phases as nail head sized, circular brown spots surrounded by a yellow halo. The spots coalesce and join up with adjacent lesions, to eventually cause the whole leaf to turn brown and die.
MGA Cover crop trial results
Friday, July 21, 2017
With whole crop barley and rye harvest completed and wholecrop wheat underway for many growers there is a good opportunity to grow a catch or cover crop and benefit from extra grazing or improvements to soil organic matter and nutrient retention.
Key to success is treating the cover as a crop and drilling it properly rather than spinning it on and hoping that it rains and the seed chits and grows. Some early nitrogen can also kick the crop on and ensure good early growth if field nutrient status is low.
MGA weed star chart 2017
Friday, May 5, 2017
Getting ready for maize 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Over 50% of a good crop of maize is to do with having good soil structure and no matter what variety or fertiliser options are chosen, if the soil structure is poor, a poor yield will result.
To read Simon's latest thoughts on the 2017 maize season, please see attached pdf.
2016 MGA Trials report
Monday, March 27, 2017
Feed to Faeces Report
Thursday, January 5, 2017
As a follow on from the two very successful MGA feeding days held in Cheshire and Dorset on the 13th and 14th December, trainer and MGA Ruminant Consultant Mike Wilkinson has put together a summary of the lessons learnt. He and we hope the attached notes prove useful during what remains of this winter and the 2017 growing season.
Diets to reduce grenhouse gases
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
In his second article for the MGA, Mike Wilkinson describes ways of reducing livestock greenhouse gas emissions through diet formulation.
European maize meeting - Feeding value of maize silage
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
The chosen subject for this year’s European Maize Meeting, held at the Arvalis Research Station, near La Chepelle St Sauveur in North West France in early September, was “The Feed Value of Maize Silage”. As has historically been the case, participating countries address the subject focused on related research being undertaken in their home states and as a consequence, the papers provide a useful reminder of what is going on in Europe.
Cover crops for water protection
Friday, September 16, 2016
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MGA Introduction
As part of the MGA on-going attempts to further increase the sustainability of maize growing we have asked Tim Stephens of Wessex water to set out and explain the on farm research/demonstration work he and the company are doing.
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Introduction
In response to rising levels of nitrates and pesticides in surface and ground waters, Wessex Water has been working with farmers in high-risk catchments across Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset for the past 11 years. The aim of this is to make sure that drinking water and environmental standards are not breached. A team of Catchment Advisers carry out a range of activities including free soil, water, crop and manure sampling, provision of agronomic advice and in some cases, funding for farmers to adopt practices that improve water quality. Nitrate (N) leaching during the winter period is a major issue across many catchments. One of the most common practices promoted by Wessex Water to reduce this is the growing of cover crops as an alternative to bare overwinter maize or cereal stubbles.
Reducing the risk of runoff from autumn wheelings
Friday, September 16, 2016
An email back in the spring from ADAS senior researcher Dr Martyn Silgram was the catalyst for this short technical note on the potential to reduce soil compaction and the resultant water, sediment and associated agro chemicals runoff from tractor and trailer wheelings in the autumn, by using the right tyres and some innovative kit.
Key Maize harvest tips
Friday, September 16, 2016
The warm dry weather means that the maize crops continue to romp through their growth stages and that harvest will soon be upon us. With this in mind I have had a quick scan through past harvest guides to come up with what I hope will be some useful timely reminders.
Report on the MGA trip to France
Monday, August 1, 2016
Grower and commercial members teamed up recently to head to Picardy in Northern France with Simon Draper, MGA agronomist, to learn what is new from French researchers and growers.
Attached is a summary of the points picked up by the travellers. We hope the summary proves useful to members and would ask that questions you have be channelled to Simon, via the MGA office.
Maize eyespot in 2016
Wednesday, July 13, 2016
The maize crop is potentially at risk from Maize eyespot, a foliar disease which can desiccate the crop and reduce yields by up to 60% this year. Maize eyespot is noted by the circular lesions on the leaf which can quickly join together to cause death of the whole leaf and eventually the plant. Please see attached note for advice.
MGA Weed Star Chart
Monday, May 16, 2016
Maize drilling tips
Monday, April 18, 2016
Now is the time to start thinking about the detail of getting your crops off to a great start. I have, based on experience and the latest MGA trial results, put together my tips for establishing your 2016 maize crops. I hope the year goes well for one and all.
MGA Conference Paper 2016 - John Morgan - The Positives, Challenges and Best Practice of Growing one of the Worlds Most Popular Crops
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
John Morgan's paper to the February 2016 MGA conference in Peterborough.
MGA Conference Paper 2016 - Oliver Knowland - MGA/Future Biogas Research and Development Trials Report
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
MGA council member and Future Biogas consultant Oliver Knowland reviews the Later Maturing Variety, Starter Fertiliser and Foliar Nitrogen Trials carried out with Biogas Production in mind.
MGA Conference Paper 2016 - Simon Draper, MGA Research and Development Results
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Simon Draper reports the results of MGA Research and Development to Members. Trials reviewed include - Seedrate/row width, Starter Fertiliser Undersowing and Herbicide options with and with out film.
MGA Conference Paper 2016 - Neil Groom - MGA Research Results Review - Sulphur for Maize and Maize Under Film Variety Trial
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Neil Grooms review of two MGA Research Projects presented to the February MGA Conference in Peterborough. Sulphur for Maize and Maize Under Film Variety Trials.
MGA Conference Paper 2016 - Tim Charmen - Perspectives on Soil Management of Maize
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Tim Charmen's Paper to the February 2016 MGA Conference in Peterborough
MGA Conference 2016 Paper - Joe Foot - Why we farm the way we do?
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Dorset farmer Joe Foot outlines the key elements of the maize growing on the family farm.
MGA Conference Paper (written text) 2016 - Bridget Lynch - Agronomy and Dairy Nutrition Research Trial Update
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Bridget Lynch from University College Dublin, Lyons Research Farm's paper to the MGA conference in Peterb0rough during February 2016
MGA Conference Paper 2016 - Philip White, Trace Element Nutrition of Maize
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Philip White, from The James Hutton Institute's paper to the 2016 MGA Conference in Peterborough
