Maize crop suffers lack of summer sun (From Western Telegraph)

Maize crop suffers lack of summer sun

Acres of Pembrokeshire's maize crop are still standing as growers delay harvesting in an attempt to negate the impact of a poor ripening season. Crops starved of summer sunshine have yet to ripen and starch levels are poor.

Agricultural contractor Peter Rees, of Rees Brothers, St Florence, still has hundreds of acres left to cut, but his customers are holding out until the last possible moment. But they could pay a price as crops are damaged by heavy rainfall.

"They are still waiting for the crop to ripen,'' said Peter. "Although we had an excellent September, the crop was late to establish in the summer.

This time last year we were a good two-thirds of our way through the harvest.''

One of the first farmers to clear his fields was David Phillips, of Windsor Farm, Lamphey. He grew maize for the first time this year and achieved an average yield of 18 tonnes an acre. He pressed ahead because his crop was fit to harvest.

He was pleased with the results but admits growers in the south of the county have been luckier than those on higher, colder ground in the north. "Until this year farmers were getting away with growing maize everywhere, but the weather conditions this summer were such that it has only done well on the more favourable sites.''

David used one variety, Hudson, and has been pleased with the results. "I was told it wouldn't give the heaviest crop but that it was the most reliable crop year in year out.''

He planted 62 acres to feed to his beef cattle. The herd was previously fed a grass-based ration. He has invested in a feeder wagon this year and has changed to a mixed ration system.

Although the crop can be expensive to grow it is offset by harvesting costs. "It is only one cut instead of two or three cuts of silage,'' reasoned Mr Phillips. He also has more land available for grazing.

The acreage of the Pembrokeshire maize crop is as high as it has ever been. Farmers are using it to boost winter milk production and the £80-an-acre arable aid it commands makes it an attractive option.