Untreated maize seed

[Demolition Man]

I believe Mesurol is going this year, am I right in thinking that maize seed will be cheaper this year without it? Why is maize seed more expensive than barley anyway, how much per tonne is a tonne of feed maize?

 

[Demolition Man]

Also out of interest where do they grow the seed for early silage varieties for silage? Anywhere South UK perhaps, probably not though.

 

[DRC]

Some varieties still have mesurol on for this season. I ordered mine this week to secure it. There is an alternative ( can’t remember the name), but my supplier said it was nasty stuff and anyone handling it would need to be well protected when filling the drill up. He also said it had to go from France , where the seed is grown, into Belgium to be dressed, then back again for some reason.
@Wilberforce . There is some Mesurol seed about if your quick, as I know this was a reason you said you might not grow maize this year.

 

[Wilberforce]

Some varieties still have mesurol on for this season. I ordered mine this week to secure it. There is an alternative ( can’t remember the name), but my supplier said it was nasty stuff and anyone handling it would need to be well protected when filling the drill up. He also said it had to go from France , where the seed is grown, into Belgium to be dressed, then back again for some reason.
@Wilberforce . There is some Mesurol seed about if your quick, as I know this was a reason you said you might not grow maize this year.

Thanks for the tag! Most of the local merchants have a limited stock of Mesurol. The main seed merchant on here won't have any, so it is hit and miss with whos got any. Could create a two tier maize crop if the potential bird problems materialise.

Anyone thinking maize seed is going to get cheaper without Mesurol is in for a stock. Alternative treatments are more expensive and less effective. Off all the change coming, none is progress and little will be cheaper apart from our produce.

 

[deleted user 837354]

The seed dressing is not that expensive. The main reason maize seed is expensive is because: A the breeder says so and B the varieties are hybrids meaning each seed crop has to be grown from scratch.

Much maize is grown for seed in Europe, particularly France and Switzerland, and in Brazil. Some is grown in the USA.