Maize growers urged towards forage area

By Paul Mooney

Maize growers should declare this year's crops as forage area on their Area Aid Applications, even if that means amending applications that they have already submitted, according to the Maize Growers Association.

After meeting with the Department of Agriculture and other interested bodies this week, it stated that the national base area for arable crops is virtually certain to be exceeded.

If so, this would mean little if any payment for maize declared as an arable crop on an Area Aid Application.

In contrast a maize crop declared as forage area can be used to claim livestock premium including special beef and bull premium and slaughter premium.

Last year the national base area was exceeded by 1% resulting in a payment of just €2 per acre for crops submitted in the hope of arable aid. There is speculation that the excess this year could be nearer to 5%.

When the national base is exceeded cereal, oilseed and protein crops get first call on arable aid. The pool of money specifically available as arable aid for maize crops is less than €50,000. John Foley of the Maize Growers Association said that 80% of maize growers had decided to declare their crops as forage area.

"Some other growers are now interested in amending their Area Aid Applications to do likewise,'' he said.

They are aware that sales of spring barley seed have gone through the roof and that cereal area will be up.

Atrazine scarcity

Foley, who owns input company Maizetech, also said that a temporary shortage of the herbicide atrazine was worrying inputs suppliers and growers at present.

It used to be readily available from a number of European suppliers.

However, after France ended use of the herbicide from last year and with the UK moving in the same direction, many manufacturers had dropped the product. Those countries have been the main markets for the herbicide. "Supplies are now coming from Israel and there have been delays,'' Foley said. "We have 20,000 litres on farm - which will keep growers going for now - but we need another 20,000 litres urgently. We expect our next supply into Waterford on Friday.''