Game Maize
Game Maize is still one of the most popular crops used for cover and feed. Nearly all maize varieties used for game cover have at some stage been commercial forage or grain varieties. As these varieties are superseded by newer hybrids, stocks of those being replaced diminish and we carefully select the most suitable of these for our game cover purposes.
The selection criteria a breeder would use for a new forage maize are:
- High yield potential
- Maturity
- Resistance to lodging
- Very good early vigour
- Resistance to disease
Most of these attributes are just as important for our game cover crops and as breeding evolves the varieties we supply will continue to improve.
Every year seems to be difficult for growing maize for one reason or another and 2011 was no exception! Most areas experienced very dry conditions causing various degrees of plant stress, with some counties such as Shropshire suffering from drought so badly that the plants resembled brown cardboard. However, in those areas where rain finally did fall, the crops compensated remarkably well.
The brand 'Late Shot' has increased in popularity, producing an immature crop with unripe cobs at harvest, therefore not suffering from the damaging attentions of badgers and rodents.
For game cover purposes, a crop of maize can always be relied upon to provide the perfect hiding cover for game; birds can move easily through it and the cob will provide valuable feed.
Variety selection is as important a factor as when and where to sow and we have five brands to suit all locations and requirements.
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