It was great to see 90 people at our NCRS maize field day last week. This day, along with a series of field events across the central North Island, introduced around 150 growers and industry reps to Jon Myhill and Kate Baker from the UK Maize growers Association.
A brief summary of UK maize scene from Jon Myhill and Kate Baker
Around 245,000 hectares of maize is grown in the UK, so it plays a vital role in UK agriculture. Primarily it serves as a feed source for cattle and an input for anaerobic digestion plants. While the majority of UK maize is utilised as silage, there's a notable and steadily increasing trend in grain maize production, with around 10% of the total area now dedicated to this purpose. The UK MGA provides a platform for growers to share best practices, access the latest research and technical advice, and collectively address the challenges and opportunities within the maize sector.
Currently, UK maize growers face a range of pressing issues. Environmental concerns surrounding soil erosion and nutrient run-off are paramount, particularly given the crop's late harvesting period. The MGA promotes sustainable farming practices to mitigate these impacts. A significant concern is the increasing difficulty in managing bird damage, with growing restrictions on available seed-applied bird repellents and a lack of new effective alternatives coming to market. This leaves crops vulnerable during establishment, impacting yields. Furthermore, climate change is exacerbating several challenges. Increasingly erratic spring weather patterns make achieving timely planting and subsequent early autumn harvests more difficult. This compressed growing season puts pressure on yields and quality. Climate change is also contributing to the arrival and establishment of new pests, such as the European Corn Borer, which could pose a threat to maize crops.