Grassland

It is time to rethink herbicide timings and prioritise an autumn application when weed control could be more effective than in spring.

Whether it is timings of slurry application, tyre size or how machinery travels on grassland, everything is designed to prevent soil compaction at Warnockland Farm, Ayrshire.

With some key clover-safe sprays set to disappear from the market this year, a new herbicide mix could provide farmers with an effective solution for controlling weeds in clover swards.

Growing lucerne to reduce reliance on bought-in protein is part of one Leicestershire farm’s strategy to create a more sustainable farming system.

Cutting grass at the optimum stage and applying a silage additive are just some of the reasons one all-year-round housed herd is producing nearly 50% milk from forage.

Applying a silage additive to multi-cut grass silage can help create a more stable fermentation and cut dry matter losses in the clamp by half, according to recent trial work.

Reduced fertiliser costs and more milk solids means including clover in the sward could bring a benefit worth £215 per hectare, according to Irish research.

Thinking about what fertilisers are used and how they are applied could help farmers get ahead of the curve and reduce ammonia emissions before regulations are introduced.

This year’s British Cattle Breeders Club Conference, held at Telford, focussed on succession as a way of building a sustainable future. Katie Jones and Hannah Noble report.

As spring approaches, Limagrain discusses what maize growers should be considering to ensure their crops have the best chance of success.