Visitors flood into biggest Grassland & Muck event yet
Visitors have been flooding into the Grassland & Muck Event under sunny skies today (21st May), with a plethora of sown plots to compare and forage machinery to see in action.
Grassland & Muck opening
Visitors have been flooding into the Grassland & Muck Event under sunny skies today (21st May), with a plethora of sown plots to compare and forage machinery to see in action.
David Gardner, chief executive of the RASE, opened the event alongside dairy farmer David Cotton, and Rosie Carne, marketing manager at Yara. “I’m delighted to open this event, because producing good farm forage is critically important to livestock businesses these days,” said Mr Cotton. Milking 200 dairy cows at Bridge Farm, West Bradley, Somerset, Mr Cotton has won the RASE Excellence in Practical Farming and Business Award this year, and like many farmers is constantly trying to get more milk from forage.
“This kind of event is essential to pass on new research and knowledge to farmers,” he added. “We really need to be treating grass more like an arable crop – we weigh every load we take off arable fields and need to be doing the same with grass.”
After a dreadful couple of seasons for grass growth and quality, farmers were pleased to making plenty of good-quality silage this year, said Ms Carne. “Few farmers have forage stocks to carry over – it just underlines how important it really is,” she said. “We’re seeing increased NPK fertiliser sales to maximise early yields and get clamps refilled.”
With more than 240 exhibitors across 190 acres, the themes of this year’s Grassland & Muck Event are valuing grass, best practice techniques, and, ultimately, maximising returns from the crop. “The muck demonstration areas are always popular as farmers increasingly strive to make best use of their manure,” said Mr Gardner. “Fertiliser is a limited global resource and farmers have to get a better understanding of what they have already got – both in terms of soil nutrients and muck analysis.
“Nitrate Vulnerable Zones may not be popular, but they have certainly advanced the industry’s awareness of nutrient management and improved nutrient technology – so much so that some NVZs have been de-restricted,” he added. “Farmers are increasingly using muck as an asset rather than a disposal exercise, and our many exhibitors and demonstrators can show them exactly how to maximise yields at minimum cost.”
Grassland & Muck is being held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on Wednesday 21st May (8.30-5pm) and Thursday 22nd May (8.30-4pm). Visitors can earn four BASIS CPD points for attending either day of the event. For more information or to book tickets, visit www.grasslandevent.co.uk.
