BEEF producers have the chance to get involved in an AHDB Beef & Lamb-funded project on silage quality.

The project requires 20 English beef producers to have their silage clamps assessed during winter 2016/17, with up to five dairy producers also being considered.

The aim of the work is to understand the practices – from shutting up to feeding out – that have the biggest impact on quality. The results will be used to produce a Better Returns Programme manual giving best practice advice on clamp silage.

The producers will receive a visit from silage expert Dr Dave Davies who will carry out an assessment on the farm’s silage once they have begun feeding out from the clamp.

He will produce a report on his findings which will be shared with the producer and a follow-up visit may be arranged to discuss the findings.

The producers will also be visited by AHDB staff for a background survey on current silage practice, to be carried out at around the time of the first cut. They will also be asked to collect a grass sample at silage time and freeze it for collection at a later date.

Dr Liz Genever, AHDB Beef & Lamb senior livestock scientist, said: "This is a great opportunity for producers to have their silage assessed by a renowned expert and receive valuable feedback on how to improve their practices.

"Once the project has concluded, AHDB Beef & Lamb will communicate a summary of the work to the wider industry.

"When done well, clamp silage can provide a high-quality forage for winter feeding, while poor silage management can cost producers a lot of money and reduce animal performance. Involvement in this project will help producers improve the quality of their silage and maximise performance off forage."

Interested farmers should email bill.reilly@ahdb.org.uk or call 07814 650708, with details of their farming system and farm location by April 30.