Wet Winter Demands Urgent Soil Repair for Maize Success

Farmers face an urgent task of soil remediation following an exceptionally wet winter that threatens to compromise maize crops, warns ProCam’s Simon Montgomery. Excessive rainfall has led to extensive soil compaction, silting, and nutrient loss, hindering optimal growing conditions for maize.

“Soils will need substantial work to regain a healthy state prior to drilling,” Montgomery explains. “Field inspections with a spade and soil sampling are crucial to assess the extent of the damage and determine nutrient deficiencies. “

The focus now shifts to restoring soil health. Mr. Montgomery recommends aerating the land to reverse anaerobic conditions and incorporating manure to improve soil structure. Badly affected fields may require additional cultivation passes to address severe compaction or silting.

Growers are cautioned against rushing into fieldwork on unsuitable, wet soils to avoid further damage. The damp winter has already strained workloads, potentially complicating cropping schedules and causing delays in maize drilling.