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Tips for successful maize cultivation in 2019
After a challenging growing season for many growers, it is now time to prepare well for the coming growing season. With these 10 practical tips, at least the basics are in order.
1. Lime for optimal pH
Figures from Eurofins Agro show that a lot of maize land has a pH that is too low. This costs 10% to 20% yield. Lime fields with a pH that is too low therefore quickly pay for themselves.
2. Analyze the manure
Measuring is knowing. This certainly applies to animal manure. Analyze the fertilizer so that you know how much N and P you are actually applying.
3. Invest in organic matter
Organic matter is the engine of the soil. It ensures binding and delivery of nutrients, good moisture management and is crucial for the resilience, health and workability of the soil. In times of more extreme weather and less fertilizer application, organic matter in the soil is vital for successful maize cultivation.
A cultivation of silage maize extracts an average of 2.500 to 3.000 kilos of organic matter from the soil, more than crop residues and organic fertilizers are supplied. Rotational cultivation and a successful catch crop eliminate the shortage.
4. Provide enough potassium
Kali is of great importance for the moisture balance in the maize plant. Successful maize cultivation extracts more than 300 kilos of potash per hectare. After sowing (if necessary), give an additional potash for vital plants and a high yield.
5. Fertilize to measure
Make a smart fertilizer plan in which you fertilize each plot to measure. Adjust the fertilization to the soil subsequent delivery and the expected extraction. An over-fertilization on maize land results in a lot of nutrient loss, use this manure on grassland.
6. Make a smart variety choice
Choose the most suitable variety for each plot: select a variety in the earliness group that scores well on VEM yield. The total kVEM per hectare, the result of the dry matter yield, starch and cell wall digestibility, determines the actual yield of each hectare of silage maize.
View the recommended maize varieties for the coming season.
7. Grow a good catch crop
A successful green manure is a must in cultivation, for the application of organic matter and for the retention and delivery of nutrients.
8. Work with a sense of the ground
Structural damage during the harvest or during fertilization or tillage in the spring results in loss of yield in maize cultivation. Working in dry conditions, make a tight and flat seedbed that is neither too coarse nor too fine.
9. Customized weed control
Optimal weed control ensures a clean field, with a minimum dosage and without damage to the maize. Think about your system: in practical trials of PPO, compared to 1 spraying in the 5/6 leaf stage, an additional yield of 5% dry matter is measured when using a soil herbicide and 10% when spraying 2 times 1/3 dose.
10. Harvest at the right time
When harvesting, growers still leave a lot of money behind. Much maize is harvested too late, which means that more nutritional value is lost in the silage due to fusarium and overheating. Keep a close eye on the ripening and call the contractor on time.
For more practical tips for your roughage cultivation:
- Go to www.roughfeedforum.nl.
- Contact you LG roughage specialist.
