Welcome to Follow the Maize – an series brought to you by Volac, following Shropshire farmers Mark Fitton and Lucy Pye as they grow and manage their maize crop through the 2024-25 season.

With a mixed bag of grass silage this season, Volac experts around the country share their views on the role that forage maize could play.

Livestock farmers who experience common grass silage problems of heating, clamp slippage and mycotoxins, should reassess silage-making techniques.

With potentially £35,000-£40,000 (€41,000-€47,000) worth of silage in a 1,000 tonne clamp, isn’t it worth giving it the best possible preservation?

Good maize starts with good preparation. Shropshire farmer Mark Fitton explains his approach.

Ensuring grass is cut at the right time to achieve the desired silage quality is paramount and leaving it late will result in a reduction in sugars, protein and digestibility.

For Shropshire farmer Mark Fitton, good silage is a key pillar for farm profitability. But it still has to be produced in a practical way.