Consider maize this summer

BOWDEN Agricultural Contracting in Yarram has developed a strip tillage machine for planting maize, which means it can cultivate, fertilise and sow in one pass.
Owners Wayne Bowden sevices South Gippsland and beyond and said the system helps to maintain moisture in the soil, which is vital in the lead up to summer.
“One issue we have had growing maize in this area in particular is that by the time you have got it cultivated, a lot of moisture has been lost from going over the area so many times,” he said.
“With our machine, we go over it once.”
Mr Bowden said the machine cultivates 250mm in 750mm, which saves moisture as well.
“At the same time we are ripping down to 400mm to put in urea for root growth and we add DAP and sow at the same time,” he said.
“One of the things that might show up in a dry year like this one is a lack of feed; therefore maize is a good option for farmers to consider.
“Maize is one of the best crops at utilising moisture in terms of kilograms of dry matter.”
Mr Bowden said if farmers target their maize crop to produce 13 tonnes and it grows seven or eight, it works out at the same price as buying in grain.
“There is also the added benefit of having the fertiliser already in the soil, which makes for awesome after crops,” he said.
“We have done some interesting experiments over the last year to show people how much they are paying per kg/DM to grow maize, compared to buying in hay or grain.”
Mr Bowden said now is time to start thinking about sowing a maize crop.
“Farmers should be deciding now if they want to put in a maize crop, to help conserve as much moisture in the paddocks as possible before sowing,” he said.
“It is best to prepare now to make the most of any spring rain that falls.”
Mr Bowden said if planted in the right conditions, maize will grow well even with minimal rain.
“Preparation is the key. If nothing else is going to grow, farmers may as well be growing something that is good at utilising the available moisture,” he said.

A-maize-ing: Hayden Bowden from Bowden Agricultural Contracting in Yarram with the strip tillage machine that cultivates, fertilises and sows maize with one pass.

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Posted by Tayla Kershaw on Oct 6 2015. Filed under Rural News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry