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Grassland & Muck 2017 : The key to boosting farm efficiencies
Grassland & Muck 2017 is delighted to be teaming up with Yara once again to help farmers maximise grass efficiencies with cutting edge research and technology .
T he triennial event , organised by the Royal Agricultural Society for England ( RASE ), returns to Stoneleigh Park , Warwickshire on 24-25 May 2017 . Promising a bumper display of machinery , live demonstrations and grass plots , along with timely advice and technical forums , the two-day event has something for every grassland farmer .
“ With 145 acres of working grass and machinery demonstrations , Grassland & Muck is the biggest and best grass , forage and muck event in the UK ,” says David Gardner , chief executive at the RASE . “ In 2014 we had nearly 13,500 visitors - 94 % of whom rated the event as good or excellent ; and over 230 exhibitors – 96 % of whom met their objectives .”
Next year promises to be just as fulfilling , with visitors able to get advice and see displays across the whole spectrum of grass management , from the latest varieties to relieving soil compaction , nutrient management , harvesting , ensiling , feeding and muck spreading . “ It really is a vast site , with plenty of room to see machinery working : In 2014 we hosted more than £ 20 million of equipment and 76 % of visitors planned to make a purchase as a result of their visit ,” adds Mr Gardner .
Yara is partnering the event for the fourth time , providing farmers with practical solutions to improve grass efficiencies . “ Farmers are well aware that forage is the cheapest form of feed , and are striving to boost grass yields and quality ,” says Mark Tucker , head of marketing and agronomy at Yara UK . “ What we need to do is pass on the latest research , technology and advice to help them to reach the next level .”
Such research has shown that soils and grass crops are commonly deficient in zinc , calcium and selenium , which can impact on plant and livestock health . “ In response we have developed a new product , Zincote , which is currently being trialled in Ireland ,” says Mr Tucker . “ We ’ ve also been analysing the profitability of different feeding and grazing systems .”
Precision farming is becoming increasingly common in the grass sector , and there will be plenty of new technology on display at the event . This includes new developments to Yara ’ s tractor-mounted N-Sensor to measure a grass crop ’ s nitrogen requirement and vary fertiliser applications accordingly , leading to improved production efficiencies .
“ Preparations for Grassland & Muck 2017 are roaring ahead , and stand sales are now under way ,” says event organiser Alice Bell . “ With 92 % of 2014 exhibitors planning to book at next year ’ s event , space is likely to sell out fast .” For more information visit www . grasslandevent . co . uk or contact 02476 858 284
34 | Farming Monthly | August 2016 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk