20 April 2011

2 minute read

Europe

Visitors will be able to ask questions of the experienced beef, sheep and dairy producers on any aspect of grass and clover to improve performance on their own farm.

Warwickshire beef and sheep producer and EBLEX board member Adam Quinney will be one of the farmers on the stand.

Beef animals on Adam’s mixed farm only receive concentrates during the last 70 days of their finishing period and the only sheep to receive concentrates are ewes with triplets. He achieves this using clover-based grazing swards on which stock are rotationally grazed.

Improved grazing management has allowed Shropshire dairy farmer Neale Manning to increase his herd size, without having to expand the silage pit.

Neale, who will also be sharing his knowledge on the stand, continues to use his original rising plate meter to measure his grass. But whatever model farmers use, he believes it allows you to budget what you have and be confident in grass.

With a keen interest in clover and variety choice, BGS President-Elect and Shropshire dairy and beef farmer, John Downes is also looking forward to answering visitors’ questions.

John, who operates an organic dairy system, says it can be difficult to find organic seed. But he insists on using varieties which are on the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists because they are tried and tested for the conditions.

Anyone who wants to ask a forage question is invited to ‘drop in’ to stand 327 at any point during Grassland & Muck 2011, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park on 18 and 19 May.