Moving into Maize

[GarethJ]

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I need some help.

I got told today that more arable farmers are moving into maize instead of OSR.

I cant find anything about this, so wondered if you could help me with your knowledge please?

 

[Spencer]

Sorry if this is a silly question, but I need some help.

I got told today that more arable farmers are moving into maize instead of OSR.

I cant find anything about this, so wondered if you could help me with your knowledge please?

Who told you?

 

[deleted user 837354]

You can't grow maize everywhere, it harvests late and has specific and very hard limits on area because of it's temperature requirements to reach maturity.

It is not an automatic switch, either, given that you need a definite market for it.

 

[Boysground]

I buy maize from arable guys, actually my regulars are all still growing osr. It is another break crop and very useful for them. My key rule is don’t get involved in the peaks and troughs in price each year, pay a sensible price so that the deal will last a few years. Dairy farms need continuity of supply often with feed bought long into the future, maize supply for the cows is not something that can just be turned on and off.

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[Grass And Grain]

Rule of thumb. Maize likes lighter land. Osr likes heavier ground. Both will grow on medium loams.

 

[Clive]

you need a direct market for maize - either a livestock farmer buyer or AD plant

not really an option for most arable growers as a result

SFI is the big replacement for OSR in reality and absence of other consistent and viable uk break crops

uk suitable Soya varieties were promised as the messiah over a decade ago ………….

 

[Phil P]

I’ve let a local dairy farm have some land for maize this year for the first time, getting a fair rent plus the option to get some muck. We usually have to buy in over 1000t so this deal should help with that plus he’s putting a good amount under the maize.
Local big arable farm has just put 700ac of maize in after failed OSR, it’s his first year growing it.

 

[Mixedupfarmer]

I’ve let a local dairy farm have some land for maize this year for the first time, getting a fair rent plus the option to get some muck. We usually have to buy in over 1000t so this deal should help with that plus he’s putting a good amount under the maize.
Local big arable farm has just put 700ac of maize in after failed OSR, it’s his first year growing it.

Is he going to dry it or crimp it for a local home?

 

[Phil P]

Is he going to dry it or crimp it for a local home?

I’ve been told he has a buyer for around 250ac up to now (a dairy farm) then the rest he’s going to clamp and market to whoever. He has the recourses to transport it etc as he runs a lot of hgv’s as well.

 

[deleted user 837354]

If you are going to allow someone to grow maize on your arable land you must must must insist that they apply a pre-emergent herbicide to it rather than the one whack and shut the gate type of approach because it will considerably add to grass and broadleaf weed pressure over time as it allows trash to grow under the canopy.