Sustainable silage maize farming requires earlier varieties
Thursday, February 4, 2016 - 08:10
in Earth & Climate
Dutch silage maize farmers can increase their yield in the long term by using earlier varieties. This was the conclusion reached by maize scientists at Wageningen UR based on many years of practical cultivation tests. The use of earlier varieties increases the chance that the maize will ripen properly and ensures better (soil) conditions for harvesting. Moreover, it would provide more space for growing a full-value after-crop, such as green manure crops or the creation of new grassland. A well-developed after-crop prevents minerals from leaching out of the soil and deposits organic material in the soil. This is important for maintaining soil fertility and, therefore, yields.