Thursday, April 29, 2010

Got a forage question? Ask some grassland society members

BGS's Scotgrass stand on May 11^th will offer visitors the chance to quiz to four members of the South West Scotland Grassland Society, who are willing to share their own practical experiences on a range of forage topics -from organic red clover to finishing beef on maize.

South West Scotland Grassland Society timetable for Scotgrass

The following SWSGS members will spend an hour on the British Grassland Society stand in the event's Knowledge Transfer area to share their experiences with visitors on their respective interests:

11am-12: Dr Stewart Jamieson, organic dairy farmer, Dumfries

Organic for seven years, Stewart's 215-cow herd averages 8300 litres a cow. High quality winter forage is important to the system. His main interests are:

• Growing red clover for silage
• Triticale whole-crop
• Pea whole-crop
• Organic dairy farming

12-1pm Michael Kyle, dairy farmer, Dumfries

A computerised grazing management program is used by Michael to manage his 700 spring-calving cows run on a low input system. His main interests are:

• Gaining confidence to graze in Feb
• Outwintering dry cows and heifers
• Using woodchip pads

1pm-2pm Andrew Nelson, beef and sheep farmer, Castle Douglas

Growing kale for winter feeding and grazing grass down tightly during the spring and summer has been practised by Andrew for many year on his farm stocked with 150 sucklers and 500 ewes. His main interests are:

• Outwintering suckler cows on kale
• Finishing lambs off grass
• Benefits of clover on hill land

2pm-3pm Sam Carlisle, beef and sheep farmer, Dumfries

In addition to progeny from the 320 cow suckler herd, Sam purchased 300 plus stores to finish on a mixed ration which includes maize. He also outwinters suckler cows and runs 250-ewes. His main interests are:

• Maize for beef cattle
• Advantages of total mixed rations
• Outwintering on maize and barley stubbles.

Scotgrass, organised by AEA, is being held at SAC's farm, at Crichton Royal, Dumfries on May 11^th, from 10am to 4pm. Entry costs £10 a car or £40 a coach. See www.scotgrass2010.co.uk for more information.