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Know How / Grassland management

In the current challenging climate, all livestock producers are under pressure to maximise the cheapest food source – forage. See the latest thinking on grazing methods, forage systems, reseeding and varieties as well as how others are making more from grass and maize.

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BEEF

How switch to organic has improved forage across two farms

For Liz and Rob Priest, switching to organic has sharpened their focus on forage – improving quality, productivity and utilisation. The result is lower costs, strengthened business resilience and peace…

BEEF

3 ways suckler beef producer sharpened business skills

Budgeting, stock valuations and targeting effort where the rewards are greatest have helped put a farming business in the Scottish Borders on a firmer footing. Robert Wilson, who runs Cowbog…

POULTRY

How free-range layers complement electricity generation

Six thousand hens range under the solar array on 16ha (40 acres) of former arable land let to egg producers Charlie and Laura Tomkins. The birds share the site with…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

How regen principles are building Powys farm’s resilience

Regenerative farming techniques including adaptive multipaddock grazing and integration of livestock and arable enterprises are helping bolster the resilience of a Powys beef and sheep farm. See also: How partial budgeting…

LIVESTOCK

FW Awards: 2025 Grassland Manager of the Year finalists

Rotational and deferred grazing strategies are helping three livestock farmers reduce their cost of production.  See also: FW Awards 2025: Meet the finalists Finalists Chris Berry, Higher Thornton Farm, Devon Jock…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

How the regen farming route works for a downland dairy

Dai and Sophie Wilson have opted for a low-cost, low-input dairy system, which suits the uniqueness of their land and allows for the nature-friendly, high-welfare enterprise they want. Farm vet…

Practical advice

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GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Top tips on establishing tricky herbal leys

While herbal leys are a lifesaver in drought, rocket fuel for finishing stock, and a good earner on a land management scheme, they are not without their challenges. They can…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Autumn grazing tips to optimise grass nutrient value in spring

To achieve optimal production from pasture, dairy farmers should avoid leaving long grass and feeding cows too much cake, according to expert advice. “When you allow your grazing covers to…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Advice on managing weeds in clover-rich swards

Ensuring a valuable clover crop does not suffer while treating weeds such as thistles, docks, fat hen and buttercups is presenting a challenge for agronomists and livestock farmers alike. “Many…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Tips to improve productivity of grazed grass

Taking steps to move from traditional set stocking to some form of rotational grazing takes confidence – and a willingness to view mistakes as learning experiences. What is important is…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Tips to make the most of existing trees and hedges on farm

Managing a farm’s existing trees and hedges is a cost-effective way to add natural resilience to a livestock business without needing a big investment in new saplings or whips. Enhancing…

HEALTH AND WELFARE

Advice on managing mobile water troughs for flocks

As temperatures rise and rotational grazing becomes more widespread, getting water to livestock efficiently is a must. Mobile water systems can help sheep farmers overcome the challenge of providing a…

Insights

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GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Herbal v ryegrass-clover leys: Cattle performance on test

Performance of cattle grazing herbal leys and finished on herbal ley silage is “just as good” as those on a comparable ryegrass-clover diet, a farm trial has shown. The results…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Why sward density is critical for overseeding success

Overseeding swards with a multispecies mix after grazing is significantly more effective than doing so on higher covers. This is according to a Welsh study that shows this method almost…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Biological stimulants: Are they good for grassland?

Trials in Wales comparing a range of biological stimulants applied to grassland have shown their potential to reduce inputs and improve grass quality. Results so far show an increase in…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Benefits of following maize with Westerwolds ryegrass

Including freshly cut Westerwolds ryegrass in the ration during housing is increasing daily milk yield by 2 litres a cow in a Ceredigion dairy herd and capturing significant cost savings…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

How camera tech is speeding up dung beetle ID on-farm

Artificial intelligence is being used on a Devon farm to help identify species of dung beetle and monitor their activity as part of a silvopasture trial. By training cameras to…

SLURRY AND MANURE MANAGEMENT

How a slurry inoculant helped increase grass yields by 20%

Use of a slurry inoculant on a Cornish farm resulted in fewer nutrient losses and a boost in grass yields by nearly 20%, a trial has shown. These resulted in…

Maize

FEED AND NUTRITION

Benefits of following maize with Westerwolds ryegrass

Including freshly cut Westerwolds ryegrass in the ration during housing is increasing daily milk yield by 2 litres a cow in a Ceredigion dairy herd and capturing significant cost savings…

FEED AND NUTRITION

12 new forage maize varieties make latest ranking

A dry matter yield of 19.6t/ha has put new forage maize variety KWS Zimo top of nine newcomers among the first-choice varieties in the 2026 Forage Maize Descriptive List for…

LIVESTOCK

Advice on early nutrition for forage maize crops

Top of the to-do list when planning this year’s forage maize crops should be to check soil pH and correct where necessary. Maize needs a pH of 5.8-7, and outside…

FEED AND NUTRITION

5 ways to be more efficient at maize production in 2025

The value of maize in feed rations is not in doubt but farmers are facing challenges in continuing to use it with confidence amid increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. They need…

MAIZE

Advice for creating temporary field clamps for maize

Clamping maize in a field could be an option for farmers to avoid overfilling permanent structures or making a mess on roadways – but it requires careful planning. Hefin Richards…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

8 things to consider before sowing maize

Maize growers who are consistently getting crops off late, struggling with yields, and negatively impacting the environment may be asking themselves whether maize is the right crop for them, or…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Maize Watch: Crop progress a month behind

Maize progress has largely been a month behind all year in southern Wales, with drilling and harvesting dates both delayed.   This is according to George John of SG John…

LIVESTOCK

Maize Watch: Marked difference under film near Dumfries

Harvesting is halfway at SRUC Crichton Royal Farm, Dumfries, where conventionally grown maize is lagging behind crop germinated under film. While the farm’s maize under film was harvested last week…

AHDB resources

See AHDB resources on rotational grazing

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Video

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GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Video: How near-infra red technology measures grass quality

Near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) technology is helping grassland farmers produce better quality silage by pinpointing when grass is at the optimum nutritional value for harvesting. At Grassland & Muck 2017, Limagrain demonstrated…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Video: Outwintering system hopes to beat £163 a cow savings

Trial and error are paying off for a Northumberland mixed farm that has transitioned to outwintering its suckler herd over the past three winters. The Sordy family and the team…

GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT

Buyers guide to grass-measuring equipment

There is a range of grass-measuring equipment and software on the market, which means choosing the right one can be a minefield. Farmers Weekly looked at a range of measuring…

FEED AND NUTRITION

Video: Advice on feeding fodder beet to dairy stock

Fodder beet is the largest-yielding fodder crop available and is high in sugar and metabolisable energy (ME), making it a direct replacer for cereal grain. It fits dairy well because…