Maize harvesting is coming up quickly, with many crops looking exceptionally good. At Neville Marsh Contracting, Neville, Daniel and their harvester drivers are excited about the new technology and machinery they are introducing this season.

Neville Marsh Contracting's new CLAAS Jaguar 950 Harvester not only harvests maize, but gathers information on the crop too.

Neville Marsh Contracting Ltd has the new era in forage processing technology called Shredlage. This crushes the kernel producing ‘Shredlage' is longer cut corn measuring 26mm-30mm with the stalk ripped length-wise into planks and strings, allowing for improved effective fibre, better packing and a greater exposure to the inner cells of the plant for increased microbial activity. As a result of the increased digestibility, dairymen now have the option of taking out or lowering straw, hay or haylage - allowing a much higher percentage of the diet as Shredlage - and still having healthy cows.

The company's new ClAAS Jaguar 950 Harvester has other advanced technology too.

'We are now able to do a print out of each job done, whether on-farm or for clients buying in maize. Information gathered includes the crop's area, total wet tonnes, average moisture and the average dry matter. 'Our harvester drivers will now know when they are close to finishing one client; and in turn give the truck drivers directions to the new job when it starts,” says Neville.

Farmers growing their own maize will now have an indication of how many wet tonnes, and the maize dry matter percentage in their maize silage stack. This information will mean more efficient feeding, less waste and a better dollar return on the farmer's investment. The farmer will also see if it is effective to grow his own maize, or whether it would be more cost effective to buy it in.

'If farmers want their maize weighed, we have our fully-certified Marsh Portable Weighbridge that can be set up on farm to do this.”

All trucks weighed have individual IDs, which are printed on the docket along with the time, date, gross, tare, and net weight. This allows farmers to keep a check that no trucks have gone over the weighbridge without being recorded. Dry matter samples will be taken on the farmer's request and sent away to be tested for dry matter only, or a more in depth analysis, for example; Metabolisable Energy, Crude Protein or a full feed quality analysis.