2010 Recommended Grass and Clover Lists
Published on 27 April 2010
KNOWING the performance characteristics of grass and clover is immensely useful for grassland farmers. It allows appropriate selection of varieties that will perform well for a particular system and end use.
The England and Wales Recommended Grass and Clover Lists are drawn up after rigorous testing for attributes such as yield, persistency, quality and disease resistance and are designed to help farmers improve their grassland. Over the past 12 years grass varieties on the Recommended Lists have seen average increases of 5% in yield and more than 2% in digestibility, equating to a 10% increase in animal output.
Why soil health is important / assess your soil structure
Published on 19 April 2010
THIS fact sheet outlines the characterisitcs of a good soil, how to assess your soil and the benefits of aeration.
James Bretherton of AgScope produced this fact sheet for the Blackburn and Darwen Group, a Northwest Livestock Programme supported meeting, in April 2010.
Download
why_soil_health_is_important_assess_your_soil_structure.pdf
Soil maintenance for silage making
Published on 19 April 2010
TWO main factors affecting silage fermentation and quality are soil contamination and fertilizer application. This fact sheet from the Silage Advisory Centre (www.silageadvice.com) offers tips on how to get the best out of your silage.
Applying Manure - Silage Decisions Fact Sheet
Published on 19 January 2010
THIS fact sheet from the British Grassland Society Website covers the application of manure to reduce fertiliser use and pollution risk.
Grassland UK 09 - Exploiting the value in farm manures
Published on 19 January 2010
THIS fact sheet from the British Grassland Society Website was produced for Grassland UK 2009. It gives key points and tips to consider in order to gain maximum value from your farm manure.
Download
grassland_uk_09_exploiting_the_value_in_farm_manures
Nitrogen - Silage Decisions Fact Sheet
Published on 19 January 2010
NITROGEN (N) is important for leaf growth, yield and protein levels in grass. In this respect, it has a larger impact on silage production than any other nutrient.
This fact sheet from the British Grassland Society Website covers correct application and recommendations of N for first cut grass silage.
Download
nitrogen_silage_decisions_fact_sheet
Phosphate and Potash - Silage Decisions Fact Sheet
Published on 19 January 2010
ADEQUATE levels of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are essential in productive grass swards.
This fact sheet from the British Grassland Society Website covers soil sampling, manure / slurry content, grazed grass requirements, silage requirements (first cut, second and third) and application.
NNFCC - Anaerobic Digestion
Published on 14 December 2009
NNFCC's fifteenth Newsletter examines how Anaerobic Digestion(AD) is being taken up in the UK as of November 2009. It looks at the prospects and drivers for future uptake, the aims of key sectors associated with AD and it summerises the AD projects NNFCC are currently involved with.
It also announces the launch of the AD Portal, www.biogas-info.co.uk as a gateway to relevant information on AD and a range of useful tools for stakeholders.
Download
nnfcc_anaerobic_digestion.pdf
Anaerobic Digestion - types of plants, costs and case studies
Published on 03 December 2009
THIS fact sheet comes from a presentation made at a Northwest Livestock Programme demonstration event organised by Myerscough College on alternative energy in Lancashire (November 2009). It covers the three types of anaerobic digestion plants (ie type of waste digested), costs and examples of farms that have built digesters.
(Published by permission of Thom Gornall of Greenplan Agricultural Technologies and Weltec BioPower).
Download
anaerobic_digestion_types_of_plants_costs_and_case_studies.pdf
Red Clover as a Silage Crop
Published on 30 November 2009
RECENT research shows that the introduction of red clover as a silage crop offers significant advantages in terms of input reduction and increased nutritional value. This fact sheet from the Silage Advisory Centre outlines the benefits.
Other fact sheets on red clover and silage from the Silage Advisory Centre
Download
red_clover_as_a_silage_crop.pdf