Getting your soil fertility right is important if you want to grow a high-yielding maize crop. The best approach is to follow a structured programme of soil testing and targeted fertiliser applications. This will ensure you get good returns from your fertiliser budget and that you don’t adversely affect the environment.

When growing maize do a soil test first and use the results to shape your fertiliser recommendation. Apply fertiliser to optimise your yields, not maximise them, so that you get the best financial returns.

The control of insects in maize should start before the crop is even planted by the addition of chlorpyrifos with the spray-out herbicides to control any resident populations of Argentine stem weevil. This should be followed by planting seed that has been treated with a suitable insecticide that controls the key pest for your region. Once the crop emerges, check it regularly during the first few weeks for insects and take action at the first sign of any damage.