A series of cross-sector farms located throughout Wales, selected by Farming Connect, have been measuring and monitoring grass growth for the Welsh Pasture Project.
Technical data from each participating farm can be found on the Farming Connect website, which should help farmers make informed management decisions and achieve optimum results from their grazing strategy. At Rhiw Las, Bala, the aim is to extend grazing as far into autumn as possible, so grass has been measured and managed throughout the season to achieve this.
Sam Carey says: “We measure weekly and use the grass wedge throughout the season to manage allocations and avoid deficits and surpluses, and make sure covers are grazed at the three leaf stage. We use a grass budget in autumn to build cover and make sure we can graze late into the autumn.”
“Measuring grass is essential to the profitability of the business, as it's the biggest profit driver on the farm. If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”
Sam has halved the amount of concentrates used this year thanks to better utilisation of grass and has also seen improved grass growth.
“We recently converted the farm from beef and sheep – and have invested heavily in Lime, P and K. This, along with better grazing management has helped increase grass growth by about 20% above last year. We test the soils and correct the pH, P and K every year because we’re really trying to push the growing capabilities of the farm. Fields that are underperforming are reseeded with grass varieties that can boost growth.”
For technical data from all the trials at every participating farm click here.