Farmers can maximise the value of maize by focusing on crop nutrition, clamp management and feed utilisation, according to experts speaking at a recent forage symposium.
The importance of protecting the investment made in maize production was a key message from Volac’s Maize Symposium, held at Exeter Sandy Park and Harper Adams University College.
Global product manager for Volac Forage Additives, Jackie Bradley told delegates that maize remained an important part of many dairy diets due to its high yields of energy-rich, palatable forage.
“Maize delivers high yields of energy-rich, palatable forage which makes it an important part of many dairy diets and a valuable tool for increasing milk from forage,” she said.
“However, it is an expensive crop to grow so protecting that investment is essential.”
Speakers highlighted six key areas where farmers could improve maize production and utilisation.
Prioritising crop nutrition
KWS technical advisor and regional sales manager, Thomas Turner said treating maize in a similar way to a cereal crop could help improve performance.
He advised farmers to use sap testing throughout the season to identify nutrient requirements and avoid relying on a single fertiliser application.
Nitrogen and sulphur were particularly mobile in the soil and could be lost before the crop needed them, he warned.
Reducing clamp losses
Head of R&D and technical at Volac, Dr Mark Leggett highlighted the impact of aerobic spoilage once maize silage was exposed to air.
Yeasts and moulds could multiply after clamp opening, causing heating, dry matter losses and reduced feed quality.
He said using an effective silage additive containing Lactobacillus buchneri could help improve aerobic stability by reducing yeast and mould activity.
Using technology to monitor clamps
Drones could also play a role in improving clamp management, according to Cody McCary, forage account manager for Vita Plus in the US.
He said aerial images could help identify problems on top of clamps which might not be obvious from ground level, including areas where covers were not properly secured.
“If you have a drone, it’s something you can do if you can’t see the top of your plastic,” he said.
Rising mycotoxin concerns
Changing weather patterns could increase the risk of mycotoxins affecting livestock, delegates were told.
Global technical manager for feed additives at Volac, Dr Hsueh-lui Ho said mycotoxins produced by moulds could affect yields and fertility.
She highlighted that hotter temperatures and imported feed could increase the risk of aflatoxins, which can lead to residues of aflatoxin M1 in milk.
Farmers were advised to regularly analyse feeds for mycotoxin risks and consider management strategies to protect herd performance.
Improving starch availability
Emeritus professor Limin Kung Jr from the University of Delaware said farmers should pay close attention to maize processing at harvest to maximise starch digestion.
He recommended checking kernel processing in freshly chopped maize, with the aim of ensuring the majority of kernels were cracked or crushed.
He also advised allowing maize silage to ferment for four to six months where possible to improve starch availability.
Getting the ration balance right
Ruminant nutritionist at Dairy Diagnosis, Iwan Vaughan said balancing fibre levels was essential to getting the most from maize in the diet.
He explained that maize worked well alongside quality multi-cut grass silage, helping to increase forage dry matter intake while balancing rumen function.
“Maize has a higher percentage of undigestible NDF to balance passage through the rumen and optimise forage utilisation,” he said.
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