Dairy Technical
The harvesting of maize crops is underway on farms, but caution is advised with sticky conditions leading to muck being brought onto roads.
The harvesting of maize silage crops has been getting underway in many parts of the country in recent days.
Maize silage is a high-energy and starch forage that is often used to improve production and maintain condition during winter milk production.
Tillage
Maize is an expensive crop to grow and the high-energy feed needs to be harvested at the appropriate time to get the most from the crop.
Dairy
Increasing the proportion of maize silage in the dairy cows' diet will result in increased intake, milk yield and alter milk composition.
Machinery
A Manitou telehandler was crushed recently when an articulated lorry overturned on a farm in the north-east of the country.
Mark Hosford, of Southern Fuel and Farm Supplies, expects farmers to be cutting maize in east Cork in the last week in September.
The acreage of land sown to maize across the country has increased massively according to Maizetech's John Foley.
Tillage farmers are being encouraged to grow maize for livestock farmers. AgriLand asked Maizetech's John Foley how best to go about this.
Storm Ophelia reeked havoc in the maize fields across the country on Monday. Crops were just coming ripe when Ophelia hit.
To ensure that maize silage is preserved properly and to avoid spoilage the pit should be covered in plastic.
The outlook for maize is positive for the future; many of this year's crops are now approaching maturity.
Maize harvesters have taken to the fields early this year. The early harvesting conditions should allow for good quality in the pit.
More and more farmers are now looking to feed their maize crop while at spring grass, as a buffer feed, according to Gordon Shine
After a slow start up to June 1, maize crops have caught up now, having "jumped out of the ground", according to John Foley of Maizetech.
The Maize Industry Group hopes to bring tillage and dairy and beef farmers together with the introduction of a new maize contract.
Maize crops yielding between 20t to 25t/ac will be common place in Ireland this year
An extraordinary growing season will see maize yields increase by 20-25% compared to last year, Maizetech's John Foley has said.
Maize crops have got off to a good start following the good weather during the month of May, according to Teagasc's Tim O'Donovan.
Beef
There are a number of alternative feed sources available, but Irish farmers must be aware of each feed sources cost.
