Follow the Maize – preparing for harvest

11 September 2024

Welcome to ‘Follow the Maize’ – a series of Volac advertorials looking at maize through the season. This first advertorial introduces Shropshire grower, Mark Fitton, and his harvesting approach.

Forage maize is an important crop for Mark Fitton. 

Farming nearly 400 acres with partner Lucy Pye, near Whitchurch, maize and grass silages are fed in a 50/50 ratio in the winter TMR, along with a concentrate blend – although maize inclusion can reach 60% or even 70% in some years.

With some of the milk from the farm’s 250 year-round-calved Procross Swedish Red x Montbéliarde x Holstein cows sold into the powdered market, maize is good for pushing up butterfats, says Mark. The farm achieves up to 5.3% fat and 3.8% protein, with yields averaging 9,000 litres/cow and up to 4,000 litres of this coming from forage.

“We’ve grown maize for 20 years or more,” Mark explains. “The cows thrive off it. They’re in good condition and the butterfat does well on it.

Maize yields vary with the weather. In a good year we can get at least 28 t/acre, or down to 18-20 t/acre in a poor year. You’ve got to get maize and grass right, so that you’re not buying as much concentrate.

Additive protection

With this in mind, close attention to detail is paid to maize harvest, including: cutting at the optimum time; leaving a sensible stubble length to avoid soil contamination; consolidating and sealing the clamp well; and protecting with a suitable additive. 

After trying Ecosyl on some multi-cut grass silage, sister additive, Ecocool, is being used on maize this season. This contains the same fermentation-boosting ‘MTD/1’ bacterial strain as Ecosyl, plus a second strain, ‘PJB/1’, targeted at preserving maize by keeping it cool.

With the money you spend on growing maize, why skimp on the last part?” says Mark, as to why he views an additive as an integral step. Ease-of-use is also an important criteria in his additive decision.

The farm’s target for harvesting maize is 32-35% dry matter, when the cobs are ready, but before the crop has started dying off.

“We harvest around the end of September or early October. People are often focused on not harvesting maize while it’s still green. But the worst thing you can do with maize is get it too dry; the cows will sort out the stalks. If the cobs are ready, then go while it’s green. If you get it early, before rains arrive, you also leave less mess in the field.”

In the clamp, the crop is rolled with two machines. No side sheets are used. Instead, clamp walls have been sealed with resin. Mark also prefers a combined multi-layered top sheet, topping off with gravel bags for weight and netting to prevent damage from birds.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming advertorials as we continue to explore the journey of maize throughout the season.