How maize craze threatens future of West Country land

[Will Wilson]

I think we should all go and work for the Soil Association.

http://www.soilassociation.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=EmKTaODy7-E=&tabid=303

 

[Pasty]

TBH I don't know. Would you have to compare how much carbon is used by a range of plants to grow the same weight of biomass in a year. Say a comparison between maize wheat and grass or perhaps an oak tree as an extreme.

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The point is that as soon as it's harvested and processed, all the carbon is released again. It's only locked up for the time the plant is living isn't it? I dunno.

 

[Boysground]

The point is that as soon as it's harvested and processed, all the carbon is released again. It's only locked up for the time the plant is living isn't it? I dunno.

Does the maize silage have a high carbon content and does it then enter whatever eats it. Confusion is starting to set in.

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[7610 super q]

What's maize growing for AD got to do with the soil association ?
Perhaps they should spend their time lobbying to stop supermarkets screwing the a*ses off organic producers.

 

[Brisel]

I believe Germany has already learned this lesson. Too much maize in the rotation (for AD, as I think they aren't allowed to put animal waste in) and now have a big build up of crop disease

Which diseases? Eyespot & fusarium?

According to my figures 375 million litres running of 10 hectares is equivalent to 3.75 metres of rainfall.
Where in the UK do we get that in a year , yet alone winter season?

What are your maths on this? 1mm rain = 1litre of rain water on 1 sqm? That's what I work on so on that basis you are right. The SA think that every bit of the annual 3750mm (148 inches!) of rainfall runs off. Hmm.

 

[llamedos]

Mr Monbiot had his say on the subject this morning

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06jtxbl
fwd 07:35

 

[sjt01]

And so did I!

Stephen

 

[Boysground]

Mr Monbiot had his say on the subject this morning

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06jtxbl
fwd 07:35

I know I should but I don't think I will listen. I will just get unnecessarily annoyed and spoil a good day.

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[Boysground]

And so did I!

Stephen

Does this mean I should listen

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[sjt01]

Of course. Also good input from George Gittus

Stephen

 

[Boysground]

I'll have tea first.

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[Bury the Trash]

Only ever grown here for cattle. Impressive crop love watching it grow in June./july the dam stumps dont rot down very quick though............hope they go on to develope earlier maturing plant would grow corn then.In Africa they make bread out of that.

 

[spin cycle]

wonder what the SA's and monbiot's position is on nuclear and fracking?

 

[Vernon]

Which diseases? Eyespot & fusarium?



What are your maths on this? 1mm rain = 1litre of rain water on 1 sqm? That's what I work on so on that basis you are right. The SA think that every bit of the annual 3750mm (148 inches!) of rainfall runs off. Hmm.

Eyespot seems to be a big problem in maize round us this year, even in varieties with good eyespot ratings.

Vernon

 

[Osca]

What are your maths on this? 1mm rain = 1litre of rain water on 1 sqm? That's what I work on so on that basis you are right. The SA think that every bit of the annual 3750mm (148 inches!) of rainfall runs off. Hmm.

I thought they were just talking about "additional run-off"...So I suppose it must rain more over maize fields than anywhere else.

They've got a damned cheek to blame farming of any sort for the flooding of the levels when the issue there was surely mismanagement of the drainage / river systems on horrendously ill-conceived ecological grounds.

 

[Filthyfarmer]

I believe Germany has already learned this lesson. Too much maize in the rotation (for AD, as I think they aren't allowed to put animal waste in) and now have a big build up of crop disease

German mono culture in maize is one of the main reasons for the new 3 crop rule I believe.

 

[Surgery]

Surprised the extreme rents some of these ad plants etc pay for land has not been mentioned , personally this is where it's all wrong and anyone with a plant using maize near them will know this.

Maybe it should be the case yes you have planning for the plant but you use your own land and not to rent as these distorts the rent for everyone else nearby

 

[Exfarmer]

Actually Monbiot has a point. Pulling maize off waterlogged fields in some years is going to cause run off. We see the same in Sugar beet and Potatoes in East Anglia, in a wet back end.
The growing of the crop itself is not a big issue it is harvesting in unsuitable conditions. Some years this cannot be helped even if it contradicts all soil management plans etc.
This part of the world most fields are flat or near enough, so rutting etc is not a huge problem to anyone but the farmer establishing the next crop.
However the steeper fields can be a nightmare for run off. I have seen a house completely flooded and a garden washed away thanks to Beet lifting by the neighbour in relatively flat Norfolk

 

[spin cycle]

Actually Monbiot has a point. Pulling maize off waterlogged fields in some years is going to cause run off. We see the same in Sugar beet and Potatoes in East Anglia, in a wet back end.
The growing of the crop itself is not a big issue it is harvesting in unsuitable conditions. Some years this cannot be helped even if it contradicts all soil management plans etc.
This part of the world most fields are flat or near enough, so rutting etc is not a huge problem to anyone but the farmer establishing the next crop.
However the steeper fields can be a nightmare for run off. I have seen a house completely flooded and a garden washed away thanks to Beet lifting by the neighbour in relatively flat Norfolk

good point......of course outdoor pigs are even worse

 

[SilliamWhale]

There is an AD plant near here, where they are growing maize using subsidised red diesel, getting the BPS, then they are getting a FIT to produce electricity and using the heat to dry wood for pellets for the RHI.

The whole system is bonkers!

Is red diesel subsidised or not taxed?