Bale grazing implemented at Gowbarrow Hall Farm. Image credit to Angus Birditt, Pasture for Life.

Bale grazing is a common practice in North America and Canada, and involves putting bales out in the summer to feed outwintered cattle. It allows continuation of mob grazing from the warmer months, where the farmer can fence off each bale so the livestock can access one area at a time, enabling the rest of the field to recover once the herd has moved on.

The potential benefits of bale grazing have not been widely explored in the UK to date. Hoping to initiate positive change, six triallists have joined the farmer-led research project supported by Innovative Farmers and are already seeing success in proving this method as a nature-friendly and cheaper alternative to current overwintering practices.

Winter grazing usually involves feeding cattle on a “sacrificial field” of a single fodder crop like turnips or kale, which means ploughing up permanent pasture for a crop with no commercial value. What’s more, the cattle often damage the field, causing soil erosion and runoff, whereas bale grazing could return carbon and nutrients to the soil via trampled hay.

Trial co-ordinator and participant Nikki Yoxall, who farms a herd of native cattle in Aberdeenshire, said the field lab aims to investigate how these benefits can open “new welfare and commercial avenues” for farmers.

“There are farmers in the field lab who used to house cattle and are now using bale grazing as a way of outwintering, and they are already seeing cost reductions in terms of labour, fuel, machinery, and housing,” she pointed out.

“Initiatives like these put control in the hands of the farmers. Working with Innovative Farmers, we hope to show that bale grazing can have positive effects across several farm and soil types and encourage other farming communities to make positive changes.”

Boost for nature and animal welfare

As part of the project, triallists are testing the assumption that trampled hay can increase biodiversity by providing food and habitats for wildlife like earthworms, dung beetles, birds, and voles, as well as potentially boosting the yield of the permanent pasture when spring comes.

In contrast, hay and manure become waste products when cattle are being overwintered indoors. Bale grazing also provides an alternative to ploughing up permanent pasture, which often results in runoff into water catchments.

Changes to soil quality will be monitored throughout the field lab, and it is hoped bale grazing can help to avoid negative impacts on soil structure. Soil and forage samples will be taken in August 2023 and every summer until 2026.

The farmers also hope to demonstrate that bale grazing offers a low-risk solution with the housing system available as a backup, particularly if the farm still has a shed.

As overwintering indoors implies a higher risk of disease like pneumonia due to moisture levels, the animal welfare benefits of bale grazing cannot be overlooked. Cattle are known to comfortably live at -10°C without needing to warm themselves up, meaning housing often isn’t necessary.

Innovative Farmers Manager Rebecca Swinn commented: “The potential environmental benefits of the bale grazing trial cannot be overstated. Feeding manure back into the soil encourages vital insects to work over winter, increasing the health of the soil and providing food for birds and mammals.

“Results from the field lab could also have far-reaching implications for farm businesses, as less energy is lost through labour and fuel, saving money for use elsewhere on the farm.”

Case study of using cattle as a “regenerative tool”

Organic tenant farmer Silas Hedley-Lawrence manages a herd of around 300 beef and dairy store cattle on heavy clay and flood plains just outside Oxford. He has been bale grazing his cattle for four years and joined the field lab to gain specific data on what this practice is delivering for the farm.

Using this approach, he’s seen a reduction in costs of around two-thirds per head from the national average of £2.40 to just spending around £1 per animal per day.

Cattle grazing unrolled hay on the farm of Silas Hedley-Lawrence.

He said: “We farm on clay on flood plains and most people will say you can’t overwinter cattle on that. Not only are we doing it but we’re doing it as a tool to increase biodiversity and regeneration.

“The perception of what outwintering involves is so different to the reality of what we see here. We aren’t wrecking or sacrificing any fields. If it can work on our wet, heavy soils then it’s certainly an option for other farmers to use as a regenerative tool.”

Mr Hedley-Lawrence grazes his cattle in a tall grass system over the warmer months and uses bale grazing in the winter. The cattle are in a fenced off cell for a short period, usually one day, all year round.

He said while there are noticeable cost savings to this approach, farmers should also take into account the wider benefits. “It’s a holistic system where we are using the cattle as a regenerative tool to trample seeds into the ground. We don’t have to muck out sheds in spring, or reseed, or sort out any trashed fields.

“The pasture comes back each year more diverse and more productive – in May and June the area will be awash with wildflowers and herbs,” he added.

“The experiment has been great for wildlife on the farm. We’ve seen increased numbers of cattle egrets with the herd over the last two winters, and due to the additional manure dung beetles are bouncing back quite noticeably. Barn owls and hares were rarely sighted before and are now commonplace,” Mr Hedley-Lawrence concluded.

To find out more and to follow the trial, visit www.innovativefarmers.org.

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Stock photo for illustration purposes only.

The trial involves farmers comparing their usual winter forage of a brassica mono-culture with a diverse, 16-species fodder crop mix – including clovers, hairy vetch, ryegrass, spring oats, kale and linseed.

The aim is to investigate whether the multi-species mix can reduce soil erosion and increase biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife, while also providing a nutritional crop that maintains animal health and performance.

The results so far are really encouraging, according to project coordinator Sarah Whaley from the Farming Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).

The concept behind the trial

It is common practice among beef farmers to graze their cattle on a single brassica forage crop over the winter, such as kale or fodder beet, in order to reduce feed costs and indoor time for the herd.

However, many farmers are dissatisfied with the current system of monoculture winter brassicas as it damages soil health, increases surface runoff and causes issues in the wider environment despite providing low-cost and reliable forage. In addition, mono-crops are more susceptible to pests and diseases, requiring higher chemical and fertiliser inputs.

However, high nitrogen content and low fibre availability mean the rumination and general contentment of the animals can be compromised if left to graze on the fields alone. Therefore, farmers must provide supplementary hay to maintain growth rates, which adds to the workload and can create considerable destruction on fields.

Inspired by the success of a similar practice in New Zealand, the field lab set out to test whether the higher biomass of a diverse crop can boost farm resilience by protecting the soil structure. Amongst others, farmers were hoping to see reduced erosion and runoff, and higher worm counts, infiltration rates, and water holding capacity.

Ran in partnership with FWAG in the South West, research elements and overall project management have been carried out by ecologists and soil researchers, who also provided farmers with a wealth of knowledge on the importance of farming on healthy soils.

Elaborating on the concept behind the trial, Sarah Whaley from FWAG said: “Plants work better in a community, and diversity supports the beneficial symbiotic relationships both above and below ground.

“While conventional farming practices have relied on mono-cropping as a rule, there is much research around improved responses in soil health, animal performance and wider environmental benefits from bringing in diversity.

“Whilst winter brassicas are valuable to farmers, this field lab aims to investigate if there is an alternative way that offers a multitude of benefits over forage value alone.”

She added that the crop mix developed for the trial is not a “one-size-fits-all solution” and its success will vary depending on the soil type and climate of farms amongst other factors.

If successful, establishing diverse seed mixes could be rewarded in the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) which currently require farmers to have “no more than 5% bare ground over winter.” Moreover, by reducing fertiliser inputs, diverse forage crops could also contribute to meeting the industry’s Carbon Net Zero targets.

Trial design and early establishment

The field lab was set up in May 2022 on four beef cattle farms in Devon and Somerset, of which two are organic and two conventional. Each farmer was required to establish a 4 ha plot of forage brassica or fodder beet as per their “normal” system and an equal-sized plot of the diverse forage crop.

A display of some of the species included in the diverse mix.

Drilling of the two crops was either carried out on the same field or adjacent fields to match soil type and growing conditions. Prior to crop establishment, soil sampling was carried out to determine nutrient availability.

The 16-species mix was selected by farmers for soil health, ecological benefits, birdseed, winter hardiness and fodder potential. The components of the mix, of which 27.275 kg was sown per ha, can be viewed on the Innovative Farmers website.

For the following 12 months, the trial set out to monitor and measure the potential of the diverse mix to:

• maintain animal health, welfare and performance

• extend winter grazing and produce a ‘second bite’ of grazing in early spring, depending on regrowth

• improve soil quality for the following cropping season

• boost biodiversity by creating a habitat for multiple species like pollinators and invertebrates, including insects and seed that are a food source for bats and birds

• reduce soil erosion, compaction and run-off of sediment and nutrients into waterways

• decrease pest and disease pressure requiring fewer inputs

• reduce indoor housed winter feed, incurred costs, and use of fossil fuels.

Cattle was weighed and body condition scored prior to the trial and have been closely monitored on both trial and control fields. Moreover, visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) scoring, earthworm counts, and rhizosheath monitoring were also carried out throughout the field lab as part of the holistic soil management system implemented on trial fields.

The farmers participating in the trial have reportedly been very enthusiastic and cooperative, eager to discover the benefits diverse forage has to offer. Some have already experimented with grazing cover crops of four to seven species including grasses and annual clovers with good results.

Triallist George Greed, who farms 280 cows on his organic farm in Devon, said:

“I passionately believe I have a responsibility, as a farmer and custodian of this land, to do what I can to support biodiversity. From providing shelter and food for wildlife and pollen for bees to providing a more diverse source of winter bird food, I am interested to find out what benefits diverse fodder can provide.”

His opinion is echoed by other participants, including Chris Berry, who farms a 180ha conventional farm supporting 900 breeding ewes and lambs alongside 65 head of beef cattle near Exeter.

He said: “There is quite a bit of unknown within this trial, but I think we all agree there is massive potential. As a curious farmer who out-winters most of our livestock, I am always looking to improve or seek out better alternatives to achieve the best all-round sustainable outcome for the soil and livestock health.”

Animal health and welfare has been a top priority throughout the trial, and farmers had complete autonomy over management decisions to suit their livestock. For example, it was up to the farmers to decide when to start feeding hay or how often to move cattle within their strip or cell grazing systems.

Speaking to Farmers Guide, Sarah Whaley said the establishment of the trial mix has varied between farms depending on the timing of drilling and available moisture, but has overall been satisfactory. Some species, such as the tillage radish and vetch, were more dominant and spread quickly, while a small number of species failed to germinate entirely.

Results so far show potential for the future

According to Ms Whaley, the beneficial effects provided by the diverse mix were evident from very early on following establishment. When compared with adjacent mono-crop fields, there was significantly greater pollinator presence on the trial side, owing to the greater amount of forage available for these species.

A closer look at the 16-species mix on a trial field.

Invertebrates in general were also far more abundant in numbers and diversity on trial fields, which had a knock-on effect on bird numbers, Ms Whaley said. Meanwhile, the kale crop on the control fields attracted a large number of cabbage white butterflies, but was lacking in most of the diversity and ecosystem services benefitting the trial fields.

In terms of soil health, the complex and dense root structure of the multispecies crop produced very stark results when compared to the simple rooting system of the kale crop. To illustrate the magnitude of the effect, Ms Whaley shared observations from a farm where a single 8 ha field was divided between the 16-species mix and the kale crop.

Despite the two plots having had the same tillage and soil structure, sampling revealed vast differences in the soil structure on either side. Ms Whaley described the trial side having the “ideal chocolate cake texture” with the soil being friable and crumbly, while the soil on the kale side was noticeably more compact with obvious layering.

“There seems to be less compaction [on the trial side], much greater organic matter, deeper rooting and greater root biomass which helps the soil structure with the roots exudates feeding soil microbial activity,” Ms Whaley explained in an interview with Farmers Guide.

Moreover, the diverse mix had considerably less disease and pest pressure, likely due to the diversity of species counteracting the overabundance of a single population of pests, Ms Whaley said. While there were instances of aphids or dock persisting on mono-crop fields, the multispecies mix remained largely unaffected.

“The diverse mix probably reduces the risk of a single species being attacked by a single pest and farmers losing a whole crop as there are other species that are more resilient,” Ms Whaley added.

Presenting at the Oxford Real Farming Conference on the 6^th of January, Ms Whaley provided some more recent updates on the trial, which was 6 months in progress at the time.

Cattle have been grazing on the fields since November and have been content on both sides. However, due to all farms moving through their mixed species plots at a high rate and the kale crop not providing enough fibre, supplementary feeding of hay was necessary on both sides.

At the same time, while the diverse mix has evidently lost a lot biomass, that material has gone back into the soil to benefit the underground ecosystem, unlike the kale stalks, Ms Whaley pointed out. She added that soil health appears to be a lot better on the mixed species plots, with the animals being held out of the mud and working less hard.

There have also been signs of regrowth on the mixed fields, and it will be interesting to see whether the animals will get a second bite in the spring which they certainly won’t get from the kale crop, Ms Whaley said.

A strong advocate of regenerative agriculture and agroecology, Ms Whaley emphasized that managing a living system is never linear and farmers have to be flexible to adapt to the needs of their soil and livestock.

Considering the multitude of benefits diverse seed mixes can provide, she encourages farmers to experiment with multiple species and monitor what works best on their farm. After all, seed cost is negligible compared to the costs associated with soil destruction caused by the current system of monoculture winter brassicas, she added.

Trial field showcasing the diverse crop mix.

Regarding the potential impact diverse fodder crops could have on farm resilience and the wider environment across the UK, Rebecca Swinn, Innovative Farmers manager said:

“Success could help farmers increase biodiversity, capture carbon, and protect their most valuable resource – soil. Field labs mean that the results can be put directly to use so practices can change in real time. Giving farmers the confidence to test these ideas is what Innovative Farmers is all about.”

“If you look after nature, it will look after you”: A triallist’s view

Richard Stanbury, one of the participants of the trial, farms about 450 head of beef cattle and lambs around 900 ewes on his farm in Devon. In an interview with Farmers Guide, Mr Stanbury related his experiences with the trial so far and shared his views on farming in harmony with nature.

With his beef operation, he has been aiming to finish as many followers as possible on a grass-based diet and to ultimately outwinter the entire herd. In recent years, the farm gradually transitioned away from the single monoculture system to drilling plant mixes of two to three species including brassica, oats and ryegrass.

Mr Stanbury’s initial aim with the trial mix was to give the animals the crop in the field rather than having to supplementary feed. “This way, they would graze quite naturally outdoors, get what they need and be happy, and also wouldn’t be stood around one spot eating the round bale and destructing the soil,” he remarked.

Like other participants, Mr Stanbury was also surprised at the striking difference the 16-species mix made to the soil and the welfare of his animals. He recalled the day his farm received four inches of rain during the first week of winter grazing and said it was rewarding to see how well the mix coped.

While there was a lot more poaching and standing water on the kale side following the downpour, the trial plot had shown hardly any signs of heavy rain, with the soil being a lot more free-draining due to the root structure.

Worm counts have also been higher on the trial side with significantly more biodiversity observed above ground. Mr Stanbury said the cows also lied down more frequently on the trial side due to the ground being much less compacted, which positively affects their welfare.

“It gives you happiness that you are doing your bit for the environment, a bit of pride,” he told Farmers Guide. “The public will also be on your side if they see farmers giving back to the environment.”

When asked about the challenges encountered during the trial, Mr Stanbury said the main struggle with the mix was determining the size of land to seed on. As some species like the radish or sunflower provide no nutritional value to cattle, the mix offers less dry matter overall and requires a larger area to satisfy the needs of livestock.

Even though the multispecies mix has mostly been grazed down on Richard Stanbury’s farm, the first signs of regrowth are already evident.

At the end of the day, even if there is a need for supplementary hay and growth rates are the same on both sides, Mr Stanbury said the seed mix offers massive benefits with reduced soil impact and poaching and a potential re-graze in the spring.

He recommends farmers give the seed mix a try and see how it works on their farm, starting with three or six varieties and gradually building it up based on the needs of the soil and livestock.

“By doing it this way, we’re farming with nature, wildlife, and still farming productively. Those two things work hand in hand,” he said.

In his final remarks, Mr Stanbury reminded farmers of the importance of keeping an open mind and trying new things, especially in the face of challenging times that lie ahead.

To keep up to date with the progress of the trial and to learn more about farmer-led research, visit: www.innovativefarmers.org

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Launched in 2022, the scheme is one of several incentives being rolled out by the government as part of the transition from direct BPS payments towards measures targeting soils, the environment and ‘public good’.

At the meeting, Charlie I’Anson of Yorkshire-based I’Anson Farm Feeds told farmers: “There is a good opportunity from the SFI, and farmers are already doing a lot of what’s required, so it’s nice they can get recognition for that.”

Mr I’Anson said the purpose of the meeting was to provide farmers with clarity on grassland SFI opportunities and help them get the most out of the scheme.

Rewarding good practice

The SFI improved grassland soils standard currently has two levels, introductory and intermediate, with an advanced option expected in 2023. Qualifying farmers will enter into a three-year agreement, over which period they need to meet several criteria to be eligible for payment as shown in the table below:

Grassland SFI requirements

Hutchinsons colleague Matthew Powell listed the four key measures farmers need to carry out at introductory level:

1. Soil assessment and development of a soil management plan. Regular review is also required to identify issues and remedial actions (e.g. surface pooling due to compaction addressed with methodical use of roots and targeted cultivations)
2. Testing of soil organic matter (the date of tests must be within the last five years)
3. Application of organic matter to every parcel in the agreement at least once every three years
4. Maintenance of 95% overwinter cover(1 December–28 February) including poached land.

At intermediate level, farmers must comply with all of the above, in addition to a requirement for a diverse sward containing herbs and legumes to be established on 15% of land within 12 months.

“All grass is eligible, unless it’s completely unimproved for over 15 years. For this, an unimproved grassland option is due for later release,” Mr Powell added.

He also pointed out that SFI rules were less prescriptive than the CSS as there are no requirements for a specific species mix to be used. “It can include a mixture of grasses, legumes, and herbs, could be reseeded or overseeded, and you can maintain an existing herbal ley to meet the requirement,” Mr Powell said.

To add to the SFI’s flexibility, eligible areas can even be moved around the farm.

Will Foyle from Hutchinsons said: “There haven’t been decent grassland options available in the Countryside Stewardship scheme, so it’s encouraging the SFI rewards the good farming practice many improved dairy and beef grassland farms are already doing.”

He added that due to high fertiliser costs and a greater focus on reducing the carbon footprint of imported soya-based feeds, farmers should consider adding home-grown sources of protein to their mixes.

Chris Blashill, Hutchinsons digital services specialist. ©Tim Scrivener Photographer

Digital mapping provides further opportunities

Hutchinsons digital services specialist, Chris Blashill, said Omnia’s Field Manager services could help farmers easily and efficiently prove compliance with SFI requirements.

“Additionally, farmers can get extra value by having better soil analysis, creating tailored application plans for organic and inorganic fertiliser, and produce reports to help with Red Tractor or NVZ compliance,” Mr Blashill explained.

Along these lines, SFI requirements can also be viewed as the catalyst for more in-depth soil analysis. Undertaking a Healthy Soils or Terramap analysis provides farmers with far more accurate and detailed information than basic testing.

“There are instances where we’ve Terramapped farms and paid for the service in the first year through savings on lime where pH has been wrong,” Mr Foyle noted.

SFI payments “look less, but are worth more”

Mr Foyle acknowledged that SFI uptake had been slow so far, partly because some farmers considered the payment too small. However, he pointed out this is largely due to a lack of understanding of how SFI payments are calculated.

Unlike previous CSS options, SFI payments were available across all eligible hectares entered into the standard, even if the action has only been completed on a percentage of that land.

For instance, on a hypothetical 100 ha farm, if 15 ha was put into a CSS GS4 legume and herb-rich sward, the £358/ha payment only applied to that 15 ha. On the other hand, putting 15% of the land into a grass/clover sward under the SFI, meant £58/ha was paid across the whole 100 ha.

“On the face of it, the SFI payment looks less, but when you do the maths and understand how the payment is calculated, it’s worth more,” Mr Foyle explained.

Moreover, he added that the SFI provides scope for future support: “Next year there will be other standards coming in for nutrient management, IPM and hedgerows. We don’t know what these will involve yet, but it’s likely there’ll be more payments available for other things many farmers are doing already.”

Changes to manure requirements

The SFI requirement to add organic matter (OM) was also discussed at the meeting, with reference to Defra’s Farming Rules for Water that placed various restrictions on OM applications.

Hutchinsons’s Louis Williams outlined the changes to these measures, which were announced in response to industry concerns.

The autumn crop requirement had been removed, enabling farmers to once again apply manures ahead of winter cereals if there was no significant risk of pollution. In addition, phosphate restrictions were also updated, so that farmers may be able to apply manures to land even where phosphate index exceeds target, in cases where:

1. Farmers produce and apply their own organic manure and cannot reasonably avoid this
2. Farmers import organic manure as part of an integrated fertiliser system
3. Farmers have taken all reasonable precautions to help mitigate against diffuse pollution

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“It’s a big challenge for the livestock sector,” says Philip. “Arable farmers may have made a straightforward economic calculation about their optimum N rates, but livestock farmers also have to calculate making forage to feed their animals, as substituting homegrown forage with purchased feed will be more expensive.”

Like other sectors, the fertiliser industry has also experience multiple problems with logistics and deliveries. As spring approaches, this is yet another thing that farmers must account for.

Reducing rates

“There are many things to think about,” says Philip. “For example, the actual return on dry matter per kg of N is particularly variable in the spring, depending on weather and soil conditions. Sometimes we can have a good return of (12-15kg of dry matter per 1kg of N), sometimes far less (3-5kg of dry matter per 1kg of N).”

In addition, Philip suggests that reducing N rates on first-cut silage fertiliser could ultimately be problematic: “The most reliable return on N is in the first cut and we don’t know what the weather’s going to be like later. Reducing N in hope that costs will come down and you can make up deficit later that could be quite risky.”

“ Those savings can also incur costs elsewhere. I would look at maintaining optimum N rates on first cut. Reducing the number of hectares needs to be carefully considered and worked out according to how much silage you actually need.”

Straight N

Is a straight N product worth switching to? Here, Philip is quick to answer. “There’s no point switching,” he says. “If you’ve spread using a compound fertiliser in other years and then switch back to straight N, you’re likely to suffer a 10% yield loss at minimum, with potential other consequences.”

“We recommend continuing to use an NPKS fertiliser in order to maintain NUE (Nutrient Use Efficiency).”

Slurry and manures

Farmer should look to utilise more slurry in the spring for grazing and first cuts, as spreading in the spring increases the N availability within it. By applying earlier, we can effectively reduce fertiliser requirements by about £5 or £6 per 10 m³.

“There is huge variability, not just in our soils but manure,” says Philip. “This year it would be worthwhile getting it analysed and really get some accuracy in terms of how much purchased fertiliser you can replace.”

Intensively stocked grassland farms in particular should also consider soil testing more regularly to monitor soil fertility trends. Organic manures are often applied on the same parts of the farm, year after year, for a number of reasons, but this ultimately undermines the potential value of this resource.

“Fertiliser recommendations are not an exact science,” says Philip. “Remember, grass requires a continuous and balanced nutrient supply from the soil to achieve its production potential. If a farm is regularly soil testing, say every three years, then the £1 ha/year cost is money well spent.”

Prioritise efficiency

 At the close of the podcast, Philip asks farmers to consider their options and not just assume that what worked in the past will necessarily produce the best results: “Look at soil temperatures and long-range forecasts. For example, if we wait until the grass is growing before applying, we can miss out on potential early grass growth. Applying when soil conditions are right increases the amount of grass grown over a given period. This early grass is very valuable.

“Basically, regardless of the price of fertiliser we should be looking at efficiency. Nutrient management planning should be done earlier rather than later. Spread the risk where possible and optimise your first cut – it’s where you get the best bang for your buck per kg of N.”

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How can you ensure a successful reseed? Philip Cosgrave, Country Grassland Agronomist at Yara, took the time to walk us through the steps for improved results:

Step 1

“The first stage is to identify the paddocks you have that are performing poorly. After that, you can then look closer for further analysis.”

Step 2

“We need to assess these paddocks for their content of desirable grasses. If the figure is anything less than 60%, re-seeding is definitely worth considering. Also take annual meadow grass and other weed grasses into account. These do not respond well to applied nutrients, along with offering poorer feed quality and lower yields. In fact, yield will be reduced by 1% for every 1% in weed ground cover.”

Step 3

“Take a soil test. Act on the results. It’s vital you do this before you get to work reseeding. The optimum pH for grass in mineral soils is 6.3. Failure to correct for that will severely impact your reseed’s success. Be sure to choose varieties that will suit your farm circumstances from the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL).”

Step 4

“Make sure those new swards get the correct nutrients at sowing. Without the right nutrients, the success of the ley will be undermined. With good soil fertility (i.e., P & K index is 2), you would ideally want a balanced product containing nitrogen, phosphate, and potash in a 1:1:1 ratio together, along with sulphur. Roughly 250 – 300 kg/ha should then be applied to the seedbed before sowing.”

Philip Cosgrave, Country Grassland Agronomist at Yara,

Step 5

“If you’ve got clover in the mix, ideally you should apply a quality granular compound fertiliser that targets areas where nitrogen use is limited. Approximately 200 kg/ha should do. Remember that new leys need more phosphate to assist with root development and good contact between the seed and soil is vital, so roll after sowing.

After between four to six weeks post-emergence, Philip recommends applying herbicide to prevent weeds competing for nutrients and space. Grazing also needs to play a role. When the grass reaches a height of 8-10cm, this is the ideal time for a light grazing to help promote new shoots.

“Following these steps will help support the long-term productivity of your new sward,” adds Philip. “Reseeding this autumn can be relatively straightforward and make a huge difference when it comes to results. The key is examining what your soil needs and taking the right steps to help the crop establish.”

The post Making your autumn grass reseeding a success appeared first on Farmers Guide.

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For K O Machines Darren Winstanley said, “PDM Produce were looking to replace a machine they had used for just a couple of years and the Muthing reputation for build quality and performance, convinced them it was the ideal option for their business.”

For PDM Produce, Workshop Manager Mark Turner added, “the decision to go for the MU-Pro/F Vario was influenced by the range of Muthing qualities, particularly the versatile shear- baroption which allows us to increase or decrease cut length.“

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Muthing range said, “this is the first 8.6m MU-Pro/F Vario model into the UK market. Ideal for tractors up to 400hp, features include a purposely designed hood in conjunction with high rotor and cutting speeds giving excellent mulching and shredding quality.

The tried and tested Muthing Vario system is standard and other features include the patented removable shredding bar system (Shark Fin) to spread the material evenly behind the mulching mower. Perfect ground following is delivered by the MU-SOFA weight transfer system as is maximum  working width in the field. Transport width is 2.85m and total height is well below 4m.”

For more information visit www.slopemower.co.uk

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Three new models have been added to KRM’s flail mower range. Aimed at farmers and contractors requiring a heavy-duty machine, they are suitable for set aside, pasture topping, verge mowing or the maintenance of field margins.

As well as a more modern look, the new models have been designed to improve the flow of material through the machine by increasing the height of the mouth or intake at the front of the machine and discharging shredded material behind the roller rather than in front.

KRM flail mowers are widely recognised for their robust construction and this reputation is further enhanced by the introduction of internal steel housed roller and rotor bearings, as well as increased steel thickness used in the machines’ frame.

Drive to the rotor is through a central gearbox with internal safety clutch and heavy duty multi V-belt drive. Heavy duty hammer flails, each weighing 1.6kg, are mounted on a 195mm rotor, rotating at over 2,250rpm. The flails can therefore be used for clean cut mowing of fine grass, but can also handle heavy scrub and woody stems up to 75mm diameter.

First of the new models is the Grifus range which are all rear mounted, with a 40cm of hydraulic offset and are available in widths from 1.4–2.7m.

The Icon range can be supplied with double headstock to allow front and rear mounting or a with single headstock which can be positioned for front or rear mounted as required. All have 60cm hydraulic offset and are available in working widths from 2.3–3m.

The Master Super model is a fully offset, rear mounted mower available for right or left mounting, with cutting widths from 1.6–2.5m. The large offset of 1,780mm comfortably puts the cutting head outboard of the tractor to make use of the full cutting head width and for safety, when working on soft banks or ditch sides, the tractor will always remain well clear on firm land when working alongside ditches.

All models are available for spring 2021 delivery. For further information contact the company on 01423 324221.

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As Covid-19 prohibits face-to-face machinery trade fairs, Pöttinger will launch its new products for the 2020/2021 financial year directly into its customers’ living rooms and offices, with a new virtual trade fair this month.

The company, a specialist in grassland, tillage and seed drill technology, is once again launching a wealth of new products for the coming year.

To give visitors access to the new products in advance, Pöttinger will use a modern communication tool to exhibit its products virtually on a digital platform on 18^th November.

“The high quality and easy-to-use interface create a new trade fair experience that can be visited anywhere and at any time,” says Gregor Dietachmayr, spokesperson for the management team.

The overview of the machines is very close to the real thing and the trade fair feeling is impressive, Pottinger says. Visitors can get precise information about machine details, watch videos and much more.

You can visit the trade fair using a PC or mobile device without an admission ticket or registration. The platform will be updated regularly with new product details, information and interactive features, just like at a real trade fair.

Access the trade fair from 18^th November here: www.poettinger.at/virtual-fair

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That is according to the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) following the publication of an independent report into the impact of retailer cage-free 2025 commitments.

Free range production has increased by 14% since 2017 to nearly 25m hens.

The report published by agricultural consultancy ADAS forecasts a 2% production increase is required over the next five years to meet a predicted growth in free range egg demand of just 300,000 cases.

BFREPA CEO Robert Gooch said: “There is an incorrect assumption from many in the sector that retailers moving away from colony eggs will lead to a surge in demand for free range. That is simply not the case, and this report confirms that.

“We have been warning for many years that rapid expansion will create a situation of oversupply, all the while the price paid to farmers has diminished and is now 20% lower than it was five years ago.

“The trend is clear; as production has increased, the price paid to farmers has decreased. This situation is unnecessary and unsustainable.”

As well as existing producers expanding, BFREPA has seen new producers entering the sector, often encouraged by new contract bonuses which disappear over time.

A model contract was made available to all free range egg producers last year to help secure sustainable prices for the long term.

And to help producers understand the market better BFREPA has today launched a new online Costings Portal allowing farmers to enter flock data and egg prices to compare their situation with others across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Alarmingly, data shows that most free range egg producers are not breaking even.

“Our data from ADAS shows a break-even price of £1.01 per dozen, but our members are submitting prices through our portal which show that they are being paid significantly less than that – about 88p per dozen on average,” Robert said.

“There is a huge range of producer prices in the market, ranging from below the cost of production to good prices to tempt new entrants in to the sector.

“Given this variability, this portal provides the sector with some transparency about what is happening in the supply chain, particularly for retailers who will be able to see if the cost of production price increases given to packers are being passed down to contracted producers.”

A webinar detailing the ADAS report and the Costings Portal is available here.

The Costings Portal is available at www.theranger.co.uk.

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