Grass
Grass is the most important, yet often overlooked, resource for livestock production. Well-managed grassland provides the most economic feed throughout the year, either as grazing or conserved forage.
As production costs continue to rise, there is no doubt that well-managed grassland has an increasingly important role in on-farm profitability.
Forage for Knowledge brings you the latest research and advice on grass, forage and soil management to help improve grassland productivity on livestock farms.
Weekly update
Average daily growth rates are still falling steadily, down 3.2 kg DM/ha to 49.7 kg DM/ha, falling behind the 9-year average, 50.3 kg DM/ha. The difference between the current growing conditions across the country is still evident with a difference of 83.7 kg DM/ha noted between the highest growth rates seen in North Shropshire and the lowest growth rates in Norfolk.
Forage for Knowledge contributors in NVZ’s are applying last round of Nitrogen before the close period starts to help maintain growth into autumn. Some areas have received a high level of rainfall and due to poor weather conditions, silage ground has been returned to the grazing rotation for on-off grazing to reduce ground damage.
Many are now opening up silage clamps to support high stocking rate or to fill a gap in the wedge in areas of lower growth rates. As we are now in the middle of September it is important to look at building cover and increasing round length by the end of the month.
The grass quality average data shows:
- DM 18.1%
- ME 11.8 MJ/kg DM
- CP 21.6%
Weekly reminders
A factsheet explaing how to calculate the dry matter of silage.
Grass is the most important, yet often overlooked, resource for livestock production. Well-managed grassland provides the most economic feed all year round, either as grazing or conserved forage. This manual provides beef and sheep producers with advice on how to get the best from their grassland
In this guide we explore the potential role of cut and carry systems on UK dairy farms and establish best-practice guidelines for farmers
Short pocketbook with simple steps to assess soil structure
The starch, energy and intake characteristics of maize silage, together with its high dry matter yield potential, make it a good feed for beef cattle and sheep. This BRP manual includes information on growing and feeding maize and will help producers make the most of this potentially valuable crop
Grass grown for silage has different needs to grass grown solely for grazing. Silage can provide high quality forage for winter feeding however, as with all crops, it depends on using the right varieties of grass and optimising soil conditions. This manual covers the key issues when making silage
Grass is an important crop and grazed grass is the cheapest feed on farm, yet it rarely earns the respect it deserves as a potentially high-quality, natural ruminant feed. This manual will help producers develop new, moreefficient grazing strategies to improve returns for their business
This version of the RGCL is specifically for industry specialists to aid farmers in their variety selections for mixtures.
Knowing the performance characteristics of grass and clover is immensely useful for grassland producers. It allows appropriate selection of varieties that will perform well for a particular system. The Recommended Grass and Clover Lists for England and Wales are drawn up after rigorous testing for attributes such as yield, persistency, quality and disease resistance.
To be a successful dry cow feed that doubles up as a calving paddock, standing hay needs careful planning. It should be a quality grass that has been part of the platform rotation and allowed to go to seed.
Biological soil health testing is a useful method of quantifying the impact of different soil management practices such as the use of cover crops.
Nutrient management can often be forgotten on beef and sheep farms, yet there is considerable scope to reduce costs and improve output through the use of home-produced and bought-in nutrients. All crops need a good nutrient supply from the soil to grow and thrive. This updated manual looks at how feeding grass and forage crops properly with manufactured fertilisers or slurries and manures can boost growth.
Four easy-to-follow steps for assessing soil structure
Targeted at managers of arable-based systems who are thinking about livestock opportunities for the first time, this guide includes sections on leys, cover crops, forage crops, maize, outdoor pig production and manures.
The AHDB Nutrient Management Guide (RB209) offers best practice guidance on the application of mineral fertilisers, manures and slurries to crops and grassland.
In this section you will find information on the nutrient content of organic materials such as manures, compost and digestate.
In this section you will find information on how to determine the nutrient requirements of grass and forage crops.
5 July 2019
We're looking for farms across GB to participate in a project about into reducing P on dairy farms
5 July 2019
LIC grazing consultant Piers Badnell explain the options to correct spring grazing mistakes
19 July 2019
Shaun and David Utting built a bridge to access 30 ha of additional grazing saving a mile round trip
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