First plots of silage maize sown in dry soil

So far, four participating livestock farmers of the Boerenbusiness Roughage tour sown maize fields. Most plots look very tidy, but the effects of the drier weather are clearly visible.

The first plot of the Roughage Tour to be sown was the plot in Udenhout (North Brabant). This plot was sown on April 20 with silage maize of the variety LG 31.205. The tillage required to sow the maize was done on the same day to keep the soil moist. On April 22, this farmer also sown his fodder beets. 

Noord-Holland
The second plot that was sown is in Aarstwoud, this plot was sown on April 21 with silage maize of the LG Asgaard variety. The soil was fertilized the week before sowing with 40 cubic meters of cattle slurry, worked with a rotary harrow the day before sowing and rolled with a Cambridge roller after sowing. According to the farmer, the soil was easy to work with except for a number of places. 

Drain before sowing
The participating livestock farmer from Jelsum (Friesland) has a plot of maize drained before the maize goes in. A number of other plots of maize were sown on April 22 with silage maize of the variety LG 31.205. Photos supplied by the participant show that the soil is dry and that it dusts well, while a photo shows that the soil temperature on the plot is 15 degrees Celsius. 

Soil still moist
The participant from Overloon (North Brabant) plowed his plot on 21 April and rolled it up with a furrow packer on the plow. The plowed soil initially still looks nice and moist and is very fine. The maize was sown here on April 22. 

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