| Livestock
Forage Field - seven steps for forage success Poor optimisation of forage yields through simple losses in field, clamp and at feeding out could be causing dry matter (DM) declines upwards of 40%, farmers were told at the Forage Field demonstrations held at the Livestock event. ptimising growth and keeping losses to a minimum were the key messages from experts across a series of seven practical demonstrations designed to help farmers make more from their grass and forage. “Grazed grass costs around £35 per t/DM and silage £80-£150 per t/DM to grow and feed,” explained Dr George Fisher of British Grassland Society (BGS). “So when we consider that replacing losses with concentrate can be £250 per t/DM, it is essential that farms are ensuring they have robust systems and plans in place to prevent unnecessary waste as much as possible.” Organised by the BGS and RABDF with technical support from DairyCo, Sil-All, Dow Agrosciences, Germinal Seeds and Volac the demonstrations gave an insight into how on farm systems can be evaluated to further improve productivity. “Soil health is very important to successful growth, noncompacted soils are able to hold
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at least three times more water resulting in an increase of grass growth of 20– 30%,” Dr Fisher explained. “In addition healthier soils utilise nutrients more efficiently, maximising investment.” In addition to soil health, farmers were encouraged to evaluate their grass management decisions in terms of variety, weed management and ensuring efficient grazing practices to ensure that all are helping a farm reach its potential. Other steps addressed management of silage at ensiling, the clamp and feed out. “The use of an inoculant, containing one or more bacteria or a biological agent, can dramatically improve the rate and efficiency of fermentation.” explained Louis Hurdidge, Ruminant Specialist at Sil-All. “This will reduce dry matter losses and result in more stable silage that has retained digestibility, nutrients and proteins from the original forage.” “Each system is different,” Mr Hurdidge concludes. “However quality forage will drive profits in all
Charlotte Evans BGS Soil compaction
Louis Hurdidge
systems so thinking carefully about the process and aiming for success at each stage can
improve feed intake, live weight gain and increase milk yields from grass and forage.”
Beef Shorthorn Society and Morrisons Suckler Herd of the Year Award launched The search is on for the UK’s top suckler herd, an annual award organised by Beef Shorthorn Society and supported by Morrison with £1,500 at stake. ll producers using a registered Beef Shorthorn bull on 30 or more suckler cows within their herd will be eligible to enter the award. The top entrant will receive £500 cash plus a £250 voucher towards the purchase of a Beef Shorthorn bull at a society sale while the three runners up will also receive a £250 voucher. Assessment criteria will include technical and financial management, genetics, herd health, marketing and particularly the performance and impact of Beef Shorthorn within the suckler herd. Entries close on 11 August and those short
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listed will be judged during September by EBLEX’s Mary Vickers and the Beef Shorthorn Society’s Mark Holmes. “Once again we’re offering top UK commercial producers the opportunity to be recognised and rewarded for the performance of their suckler herds using Beef Shorthorn bulls to produce a functional suckler cow with natural foraging ability and the effect that these have on their enterprise,” says the society’s Frank Milnes. Further information and entry forms can be obtained from Frank Milnes on 02476 696549 or online at http://www.beefshorthorn.org
August 2014 | Farming Monthly | 11