The Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) is sponsoring a series of seminars on forage at next month's European Dairy Farming Event, which will provide practical information to dairy farmers.
Importantly, the seminars will also provide opportunities for in-depth discussions with some of the leading subject experts and farmers will be able to ask questions of direct relevance to their own farming system.
Among the seminars planned are:
* Dave Roberts, head of Dairy Research Centre, SAC: 'Paddocks or set stocking grazing system?'
* Chris Duller, extension officer, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research: 'How do you properly cost home grown forage?'
* Jo Scamell: 'Ground Level Nutrition – Importance of soil management for good quality forage and livestock health'.
'Forage for Livestock' has been introduced at the show for the first time this year and follows on from strong interest in the growing and conservation of forage crops, shown by visitors to previous events.
SAC will also have a stand in the newly-established forage area which will feature 'Green Dairy', an EU-funded project which has produced strategies to reduce nitrogen pollution from dairy farms.
Commenting on the thinking behind the 'Green Dairy' project, Dr David Roberts, head of the SAC Dairy Research Centre, said: "Strategies to reduce nitrogen pollution needed to be set within the difficult economic climate for dairy farming. Importantly, there is a need to make better use of the fertiliser value of slurry and manures.
"This can be achieved by measuring the available nitrogen content, estimating the amount of slurry spread and applying it when the crops and grazing require fertiliser.
"The difficulty on many farms is that they do not have sufficient storage to only apply slurry when crops require it."
The show, which takes place at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on Wednesday and Thursday, September 20 and 21, offers farmers, processors, retailers and the supply trade the opportunity to see what is going on in Britain's dairy industry and exhibitors the opportunity to present their products and services to more than 12,000 potential customers.
Cattle entries for the event are up for the fourth consecutive year.
Stall bookings are completely sold out with more than 220 entries received from 72 exhibitors according to event organizers, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.
"Cattle remain at the heart of the Dairy Event, and the continued trend in demand for stalls has demonstrated that it is rated among the leading UK shows for top quality cattle,'' says RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington.
"The two-day format works well for exhibitors and we are able to offer an attractive pool of prizemoney and prestigious silverware thanks to cattle sponsor, Merial Animal Health through its Eprinex brand which has put up £1,000 for the HSBC supreme championship.''
Judging, on the inspection only format, will take place throughout Wednesday in Cattle Shed 13, culminating with the supreme champion in the afternoon.
John Cousar, of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, will judge the Holstein section, while Ian Brocket, Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, will do the honours in the British Friesian ring; Peter Berresford, Tideswell, Derbyshire, will judge the Ayrshires; Paul Harrison, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Tyneside, the Dairy Shorthorns; Martin Kohnle, Tanheim, Germany, the Brown Swiss; Morris Grose, of Helston, Cornwall, the Guernseys; and David Jones, of Ormskirk, Lancashire, the Jerseys.
The event will also host the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs' National Stockman and Young Stock Judge of the Year competitions sponsored by HSBC. The awards will be presented to the winners by RABDF president, John Beckett, on the HSBC Stand on Thursday (3pm).
Following on the success of last year's inaugural demonstration, hoof trimming, sponsored by Giltspur Scientific, will extend throughout the two-day event.
Pembrokeshire-based, Steve Bradbury, a qualified instructor with his own practice, will be using Dutch trimming techniques, while Norman Walker, who operates a nationwide practice from Lancashire, will demonstrate trimming from a rollover crush.
"RABDF is increasingly aware of the fact lameness has been among the biggest on-farm issues for 30 years. Today lameness is costing the average 150 cow dairy herd an annual £10,000 in lost production and treatment costs, and a massive £200 million to the industry,'' says Mr Everington.
"This very practical demonstration is designed to encourage all farmers to adopt preventative measures, examine their herd's feet and trim at least once a year.''
