Dorset: Managing grassland soils for better productivity

Join us for an on-farm event at Perry Farm, to find out how strategic dairy farm host, Kenton Bennett, is looking to reduce fertiliser inputs, manage healthy soils, and increase grassland productivity. 

In a time of ever-increasing costs and fertiliser prices topping £900/tonne, focusing on soil analysis, targeting fertiliser applications to soil nutritional needs, and testing on farm organic manures to optimise their use on farm is crucial for profitability. 

You will take part in an extensive farm walk with Grassland Agronomist Philip Cosgrave from Yara and Peter Waltham from Agrovista, looking at the recent soil and slurry analysis from Perry Farm. 

Kenton is also part of the Stour Catchment Phosphate reduction trial, so you will be joined by Wessex Water and Catchment Sensitive farming to help explain the Phosphate Action Plan and how farmers can minimise environmental nutrient losses and making best use of phosphates on farm. 

The meeting will cover:

• Soil health and fertility
• Testing slurry to optimise application of on farm nutrients.
• Nutrient Management
• Managing Phosphate levels on farm
• Improving grassland soils and leys

Registration and coffee will begin at 10:00am for a prompt 10:30am start. Lunch will be provided – please contact us as soon as possible with any dietary requirements.

About Perry Farm

Perry Farm has been in the Bennett family for over 80 years and is managed by Kenton Bennett in partnership with his partner Charlotte and his parents. The Bennett’s were fortunate to be able to buy the originally tenanted farm some years back and have made an investment in cow health and welfare. This is a true family farm that has a passion for their cows.

The herd is currently made up of 140 autumn calving Holstein Friesian cows with some Ayrshire and Danish Red. They produce an average of 8,500 litres of milk per cow per year with 4.49% butterfat and 3.54% protein, milking twice per day. 

They graze from March through to October and generate 70 home-reared heifers with an average age at first calving of 24 months. Their journey has seen them concentrate on switching from All Year Round Calving four years ago to a 12 week Autumn block. Cow health and welfare have always been a major focus and they won the Cream Award in 2018 in recognition of their achievements. The whole herd is now on SDCT and their attention to detail on all aspects of cow health is exemplary.