A series of farm walks (‘Profit from Pasture’) are being held for beef and sheep farmers to show how grazed grass remains the cheapest form of feed available.
CAFRE say well-managed grass swards help to maximise growth rates of beef cattle and lambs and helps meet the energy requirements of suckler cows during the breeding season.
Maximising stock performance from grazed grass is also an excellent way to help reduce the carbon footprint on your farm.
Over the next four weeks, College of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (CAFRE) beef and sheep advisors are hosting the series of farm walks under the theme of ‘Profit from Pasture – Striving for Sustainability’, highlighting best practice on beef and sheep farms.
Four events will be held on Suckler beef farms and four events will be held on Sheep farms.
During the farm walks the host farmers, along with CAFRE Beef and Sheep Advisors, will be demonstrating a range of grassland management and livestock technologies that are in place and their importance within profitable and sustainable beef and lamb production systems.
The walks will cover the management of grazed grass, introducing and managing grass clover swards, suckler cow fertility and the control of flock worm burdens, all essential elements of a sustainable sheep and beef systems.
The farm walks will start at 7.30pm and farmers are invited to enrol for the events on the CAFRE website at www.cafre.ac.uk/events
Dates and venues are as follows.
Sheep Farm Walks:
Wednesday, June 26 – John Martin, Gordonall Farms, 93 Newtownards Road, Greyabbey, N’Ards, BT22 2QJ.
Wednesday, July 3 – William Egerton, 64 Dernavilt Road, Mullaghlass, Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh, BT92 7FP.
Monday, July 8 – Clement Lynch, 42 Tireighter Road, Park, Co. Londonderry, BT47 4BD.
Wednesday, July 10 – Paraic McNeill, 20 Millvale Road, Annaclone, Banbridge, BT32 5AG.
Beef Farm Walks:
Monday, June 24 – Bill Harpur, 7 Ballymagarry Road, Portrush, Co. Antrim, BT56 8NQ.
Wednesday, July 3 – David Wright, 58 Dyan Road, Caledon, Co. Tyrone BT68 4XL.
Friday, July 5 – Oliver McKenna, 12 Tulnafoile Road, Eskra, Co. Tyrone.
Friday, July 19 – Michael Griffith, Saintfield House Est, 71 Old Belfast Road, Ballynahinch, Co. Down, BT24 7EY.
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