The spotlight will fall on the cultivation and nutrient needs of forage and grain maize at a free demonstration event for farmers and growers on Tuesday 18 March.

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The afternoon event will be held largely ‘in-field’ at the Catchment Sensitive Farming Forage and Grain Maize Demonstration site close to junction 29 of the M5 near Exeter. Delegates will be asked to meet at the Clyst St Mary Village Hall at 12.00 am for a light lunch and introduction prior to going to the field site. The event should end no later than 3.30 pm.

Speakers from the Maize Growers Association (MGA) will demonstrate the importance of conducting a soil profile examination to identify if subsoiling is required prior to cultivation. “There are a number of tell tale signs to look out for,” says the MGA’s John Morgan. “For example, horizontal plating in the soil, soil packed solid with little evidence of sponginess, layers of wetness in the soil and, last but by no means least, an unpleasant odour as plant remains rot in anaerobic conditions.”

Time will also be spent on how to calculate bagged fertiliser requirements for maize taking account of soil analysis and the NPK supplied by slurry and manure applications. Maize fields are a great place to use muck but care has to be taken to prevent run-off and water pollution. “With fertiliser prices continuing to rise it is more important than ever not to waste this valuable resource and to take full account of the nutrients it contains,” adds Mr Morgan.

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