Maize drilling

[ploughman1963]

Just how important do people think it is to drill your maize with a dedicated maize drill. We have drilled several crops of maize successfully with a ph/combination and I know others have as well. I can see that if using a starter fertiliser then fert placement is a good reason but if I have a drill with two seed boxes - one for seed, one for fert (Duncan) - then is the specialist drill justified? If using a Kemper then no need for rows. Considering doing a couple of trial plots on another farm this year - interested in your thoughts.

 

[Elmsted]

Do it it works for silage

 

[ploughman1963]

This is for silage rather than grain - I assume that is what you meant?

 

[rob1]

Went on farm walk years ago and farmer was drilling with his massey drill with coulters blocked to get the right row width, looked good in late may when we were there

 

[Elmsted]

This is for silage rather than grain - I assume that is what you meant?

Yes for silage just get on with it. A mantra of mine is 10C at 10CM on a rising heat plain. Advice worth what you paid for it. In Joky way

 

[MF565]

My uncles drilled his maize for the last few years with his cereals drill with no rows blocked off. He doesn't apply any fert while drilling so doesn't need a specialist drill for it. The only issue I have seen is the odd plant gets knocked down when harvesting if it hits the divider square on but its only the odd plant possibly 1-2 an acre if that sometimes. He now drills with a weaving tine drill and there doesn't seem to be much of an issue with germination or growth.