Expert talks on grassland management (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Expert talks on grassland management

3:25pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Farming

MANAGING grassland from the roots up is the subject of a conference hosted by Farmway next week.

Grass production and quality offersproducersachance to reduce costs, make more of their own resources and be less dependent on the grain markets.

Good grassland management practices offer huge potentialto increase yield, without always needing to use extra inputs and fertilisers.

Getting air to the roots of grass allows the living organisms within the soil to convert organic matter into nutrients; correctingthesoilpHallows the whole system to work more efficiently; and taking note of the species found within the sward gives a good indication of the potential for improvement.

Dr Elizabeth Stockdale from Newcastle University; Dr George Fisher from the British Grassland Society; and Tim Kerridge from grass breeder, DLF will discuss “Grass from the roots up” at Swinton Park Hotel, Masham, on Thursday.

Theafternoonwillbedevoted to practical examples from farmers and a discussion of the farming systems that can lend themselves to efficient production from grass.

To attend or for more details, contact Farmway on 01325 504600.