Teagasc Runs Open Day on Maize Growing

Issued 20 September, 2002

The impact of the wet summer of 2002 on maize growing in Ireland will be the key focus of a special open day being run by Teagasc at its research farm at Knockbeg, outside Carlow town, on Wednesday, 2 October from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm.

Announcing details of the event, Dr Jim Crowley, who has conducted research on maize at the Teagasc Research Centre at Oak Park, Carlow for many years, said forage maize was one of the bigger tillage casualties of the unprecedented bad weather in May, June and July. While the crop has recovered well since early August, yield and quality is expected to be down significantly on last year.

The open day will feature advice from Teagasc on best harvesting dates and on other ways of maximising the value of this year's crop. There will also be guidance on effective ensiling, effluent control and feeding strategies for maize silage.

The acreage of maize grown for animal feeding has increased dramatically in recent years. A total of 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres) was grown this year.