Location: Lympsham, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
Cost: Free to attend, please register with RABDF
Dairy farmers can find out how to make more from forage by attending a ‘Milking Grass for Profit’ farm walk on Tuesday 30th March at Mill Shed Farm, Lympsham, Weston-Super-Mare organised by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, British Grassland Society and DairyCo.
Host farmer, Mat Boley, who manages a 350 organic cow herd, will explain how he has operated for nine years without purchasing any concentrate feed. Other topics up for discussion on the day will include how he achieves high fertility with low inputs, and how changing to one a day milking has brought a range of benefits to his work/life balance. We will also be looking at the right type of cow for such a low-input system.
The day will commence at 10.30am with an introduction from RABDF followed by a short technical presentation from DairyCo, before the British Grassland Society sums up the day.
Mat will lead the guided farm walk, and will be followed by lunch and an opportunity for visitors to discuss their business with the farms suppliers sponsoring the day.
“Attending this farm walk will be time well invested whether you are managing a 10,000 litre herd or a lower output system,” says RABDF’s chief executive, Nick Everington. “Following the brief respite in milk prices, farmers are once again struggling to cover their production costs. This event will provide all visitors with the opportunity to rethink their systems and improve their efficiency. Grazed grass continues to remain the cheapest form of forage, therefore if they start to optimise its management from turnout, then they should be well placed to maximise its potential throughout the season and subsequently have the opportunity to reduce input costs.”
For further information or to book a place on the farm walk and reserve a place for lunch please contact the RABDF on 0845 4582711 or email lauradickinson@rabdf.co.uk.
