Opinion
If cattle had pocket money, they would buy fodder beet with it. This was a view expressed at a farmers’ meeting some years ago.
Tillage
The 2026 forage maize harvest is now complete with only very small parcels of land left to be cut in parts of the country.
N.Ireland
Forage maize crops harvested over recent days on the South Antrim dairy farm of Robert Duncan have yielded up to 18t/ac on fresh weight basis.
The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has introduced a new approach to its forage maize descriptive lists.
This year’s forage maize harvest could well be one of the earliest on record. In contrast to cereals, maize is a deep rooting crop.
Forage maize could well be the tillage success story of 2026. A September harvest is now very much on the cards.
Irish dairy and livestock farmers are being encouraged to grow between five and ten acres of forage maize on an annual basis
While some forage maize crops have been impacted by heat stress those in the Mid-Ulster area are on track to produce record yields
Downpatrick cereal grower Neill Patterson is gearing up to cut 200ac of winter wheat over the coming days, assuming the rain holds off
Co. Down cereal grower Allan Chambers is confirming that the 2026 winter barley harvest is almost over, with crops topping out at 3.75t/ac.
Teagasc confirmed that the species causing damage in fodder beet, fava beans and forage maize across the south-east is the Silver Y moth.
According to the Potash Development Association (PDA),forage maize is a uniquely responsive crop when it comes to nutrition.
A debate is fast evolving on how best to secure optimal weed control in forage maize crops grown under Irish conditions.
Co. Down arable farmer, Allan Chambers, dedicates one third of his 360ac farm to forage maize production on an annual basis.
The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) is confirming that world grain markets are continuing to gather momentum.
The Potash Development Association (PDA) is advising that early crop nutrient availability will maximise forage maize final yields
A combination of factors are fast aligning, which will see the Irish forage maize area planted out in 2026 reach record levels.
A late start to the spring planting season is expected to encourage further growth in the area of forage maize grown in Ireland.
Late harvested fodder beet crops are yielding well, according to Co. Kilkenny grower and contractor: Edward Delahunty.
There is growing concern that the spring planting options available to tillage farmers in 2026 could prove problematic.
A strong case can be made for forage maize to be officially considered a bona fide tillage crop; it ticks so many boxes in this regard.
Starch contents of up to 40% have been secured by forage maize crops grown in Ireland this year: these are record values.
Co Kilkenny tillage farmer, Edward Delahunty, is confirming that fodder beet will be available over the coming days at around €70/t
