We’re often called by biogas operators to advise on whether a crop is fit and ready to go.

Maize is a staple of biogas plants and a good or bad year can have a huge influence on the whole feedstock supply chain – so getting it right (or as right as you can) is important. At this time of year maize DM is increasing by 0.3 to 0.5% per day. Too early and you may have a wet crop – too late and those all important sugars and starches are turning to brown lignins and compaction is more difficult to achieve.

Add to the equation weather. A heavy downpour can make field clamps/ ag-bagging areas inaccessible, damage soil and fields and cause public nuisance carrying soil onto the highways. So knowing “when to go” in the midst of foraging weather-windows, while balancing supplier/ customer interests is important.

There are two quick tests:

1. The twist test – shown in the video here – when the stem is twisted at the lower node, free water should not leach from the stem as in the video. This maize is between 25-26% DM by our estimate and if harvested would release a lot of liquid in the clamp and may even turn to “mush” in places. For a biogas plant this could represent a 25-40% reduction in value in the digester (when losses and reduced gas production are accounted for.
2. The squeeze test – video to follow – but when a single kernel is squeezed, there should be resistence and a hardness to it. If it is soft and “pops” (if you’re eating look away now) like a zit, then it is not fit and not ready for foraging.

IF YOU COULD DO WITH ADVICE ON CROP QUALITY, GROWTH STAGE, HARVEST or CLAMPING – WE CAN HELP

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