THE ACTIVITIES OF THE MGA OFFICE TEAM AND OUR ONGOING ROLE IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE MAIZE GROWING John Morgan MGA Office Team MGA Council - 10 members, 9 farmers and 1 from industry MGA Office Team John Morgan and Jean Howard Provide Technical and Administration support via mailings, web site and over the phone Nutrition Consultant – Prof Mike Agronomy Consultant – Simon Draper Wilkinson Maize is a Great Crop Maize is a great crop Strengths • Less Nitrogen Needed - Pattern of nutrient uptake ties in with N release from soil and organic manures. • Low agrochemical – Herbicide – Fungicide • C4 crop – drought tolerant • Agronomic Strengths – Break crop, spreads workload Challenges • Old chestnuts – Soil compaction at harvest leading to soil wash/runoff – Nutrient overload leading to surface runoff • New pretenders – Nitrogen leaching – Phosphate • Negative PR Source Environment Agency Source Environment Agency Source Environment Agency Nutrient Overload Avoiding the issues Growing Maize Appropriately • Suitable site/variety – MGA Maize Charter • Drilling date • Use of film • Minimising/avoiding compaction • Nutrient planning • Undersowing or Cover Crops • Harvest at correct time • Post harvest cultivation