While many poisonous plants are unpalatable and won’t be ingested by livestock under normal circumstances, it is more likely to happen when there is a shortage of grass, such as after a period of dry weather or when pastures are overgrazed.

Therefore, farmers should avoid having a high stocking density wherever possible, and regularly monitor fields for the presence of poisonous plants to protect livestock.

As ragwort is usually well-managed on UK pastures, poisoning is more likely to occur following the ingestion of the dried plant from hay or silage. Signs of ragwort poisoning include lethargic behaviour, weight loss, oedema and diarrhoea, with raised liver parameters on biochemistry testing.

Once clinical signs appear, there is no effective treatment to stop the disease from spreading. Farmers should remove and destroy all contaminated feed and evacuate animals from fields where ragwort has been detected.

Cattle are much more susceptible to ragwort than sheep and are therefore at increased risk of poisoning. Using selective herbicides is usually enough to achieve reasonable control of the weed.

Another prevalent and deadly poisonous plant is hemlock water dropwort (HWD), which is especially common in the south and west of the UK, as well as Northern Ireland. It tends to grow in wet areas around field margins, and if often found near ditches and streams.

Cattle are particularly at risk of poisoning after ditches have been cleared out, exposing the most toxic part of the plant, the roots (also known as “dead man’s fingers”).

Symptoms of HWD poisoning include neurological signs such as dilated pupils, salivation, difficulty breathing and spasmodic convulsions, which are characterised by the animal shaking violently with short periods of relaxation in between.

Unfortunately, in most cases, HWD poisoning leads to sudden death and there is no specific treatment to neutralise the ingested toxin. A small percentage of animals may survive, which will then exhibit diarrhoea during the recovery phase.

Find out more about plant poisoning in livestock and sign up to alerts here.

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Emerging research by by UCD’s School of Agriculture and Food Science has shown multispecies swards can produce up to 25% more forage for livestock. Photo credit: Dr. Shona Baker

The study, which has been ongoing since 2019, is being conducted at UCD’s Lyons Farm on the Dublin-Kildare border under the supervision of Professor Tommy Boland, who is also president of the Agricultural Science Association (ASA).

Findings so far have revealed that animals grazed on multispecies pastures reach their target slaughter weight five to six weeks earlier than their counterparts grazing perennial ryegrass monoculture, resulting in 15% lower carbon footprint per kg of beef produced.

While the figures may seem startling at first, Professor Boland said results have been highly consistent across the three groups of cattle taken to slaughter in the duration of the study work.

When compared to typical swards sown on most Irish dairy and beef farms, multispecies swards were also found to be much more effective at feeding livestock, with some mixtures producing up to 25% more forage while requiring 60% less nitrogen fertiliser.

If applied to a typical 100-acre farm, this means farmers could grow an additional 100 tonnes of dry matter feed while spreading 4600kg less nitrogen over the course of a single production year, equating to substantial savings on input costs.

In fact, when taking into account the reduced need for concentrate feed during the finishing phase, the net margin per ha was almost 70% higher in the multispecies system compared to the perennial ryegrass system. This suggests farmers can maintain or increase their output levels, while reducing the environmental impact of livestock and increasing profitability.

While the work to date has focused on beef systems, similar findings have been recorded under dairy and sheep management.

“The research into multispecies swards is still in its infancy relative to some of our other sward types, but consistent positive findings show the potential it holds,” Professor Boland said.

“I am confident that when we grow multispecies swards and feed them to beef cattle and sheep, we improve animal performance, and we grow that feed from substantially lower levels of fertiliser inputs and as a result increase farm profitability.”

Professor Tommy Boland

Benefits and limitations

Multispecies swards contain a range of different plant species which have been selected to fulfil various roles or niches within the sward. The study at UCD’s Lyons Farm has focused on investigating three different sward types, which have been selected for various reasons.

“We have a monoculture ryegrass sward, reseeding 205kg of N fertiliser/ha/yr, we have a ryegrass and white clover sward, reseeding 90 kg of N fertiliser/ha/yr, and then our multispecies sward is a six-species sward that contains two grasses (premier ryegrass and timothy), two legumes (red and white clover), and two herbs (chicory and plantain),” Professor Boland explained.

“We have tried a number of different mixtures over the years, and it’s that six-species mixture which has provided us with the best results of the ones we have tried so far,” he added.

Currently, the swards are being direct drilled on study fields every two years, a strategy that has worked well for the climate and soil type of Lyons Farm, Professor Boland said.

A major benefit derived from the inclusion of legumes in the sward is increased nitrogen availability in the soil, as these plants have the ability to capture atmospheric nitrogen and offset the need for artificial fertilisers.

Cattle has performed better and reached finishing weight sooner when grazed on the multispecies sward. Photo credit Fionnuala Godwin

Additional benefits recorded on the multispecies swards include enhanced earthworm diversity and activity, increased water infiltration rates and enhanced invertebrate diversity. Swards containing multiple species were also more persistent under drought conditions and maintained growth for longer compared to monoculture swards.

“One big challenge with the multispecies sward is you have no herbicide option for weed control, so if you get a bad outbreak of weeds which has happened to some farmers around the country, then you have no herbicide option,” Professor Boland pointed out.

However, once the sward is well established, the infiltration of weeds was found to be much lower compared to a monoculture sward, likely because more species mean more competition for certain weeds, making for a more resilient system.

“There are many additional benefits and while we need to continue research into this area, the future direction must also include plans to support farmers who want to use these swards,” the professor said.

“Another tool in the toolbox for farmers”

While the approach is not going to be suitable for every farm, and research needs to continue to test these mixtures in different soil types and under different management and weather conditions, it does address many of the challenges facing modern agriculture.

“Farmers are very engaged with this new research and are very interested in seeing the benefits it can have for their farm,” Professor Boland said.

However, he added it will take some time for this new approach to flow through the system, as only around 7% of the grassland area in Ireland is reseeded annually, and the area currently under multispecies swards is quite small, although increasing at a steady rate.

The professor went on to highlight the vital importance of communicating research to farming groups and industry stakeholders to increase confidence in new approaches and the benefits these offer farm businesses.

“Farmers, when they’re investing in this, it has a business impact, but also, they need to be provided with the right management guidelines on how to establish and manage these swards,” he added.

The findings of the research will be presented at the annual Agricultural Science Association conference, taking place on 7^th September, with delegates attending from across the Irish agri-food industry, from policymakers to processors to primary producers.

“Ultimately, farmers are the bedrock and the building blocks of our agri-food industry, and really of society in general, and we at the Agricultural Science Association have been very conscious of including farmers in these conversations,” Professor Boland concluded.

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Mr Walker, who farms 80 suckler cows and 950 breeding ewes on 2,500 acres of hill ground near Inveraray in Argyll, said the negative impacts of not controlling bracken far outweigh those of using a herbicide to control it, and failure to provide authorisation would be “a dereliction of duty to protect farmers, crofters, the rural workforce, and public health.”

He pointed out that bracken makes for a perfect breeding ground for ticks, which can overwinter in the dead plant material and cause various health issues to livestock, leading to the use of more chemicals to prevent serious illness.

“Redwater disease in cattle and louping ill in sheep are nasty diseases. So, it is ironic that to protect our animals, we would have to use chemicals on them, rather than control the problem at the source by removing bracken,” he said.

Allowing bracken to grow out of control also poses a threat to public health, Mr Walker continued, as the plant is a known carcinogenic with reports warning of spores entering watercourses.

“In Inveraray, tourists used to wander round the town and the castle, but now, we have more people coming up to the estate and going into wilder hill ground where they are coming into contact with bracken. This could also have a major impact on human health.

“There has already been a reported increase in Lyme disease this year as well as confirmed cases of tick-borne encephalitis in the UK – a virus which can cause swelling of the brain,” he added.

According to reports, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of ticks harbouring infection over the last 20 years, with figures showing a rise from 0.01% to 20% of the population. A lack of government approval for using Asulam to eliminate key tick habitats will cause the parasites to multiply further and exacerbate the problem, Mr Walker stressed.

Other than being an aggressive and invasive weed, he said bracken often grows on steep hilly terrain, making it near impossible to control the weed mechanically. “Much of the bracken on my land is on steep terrain, difficult if not downright dangerous to reach on foot.

“We have tried other methods of controlling bracken on smaller, flatter areas. But these methods aren’t effective, the bracken keeps coming back,” Mr Walker remarked.

As aerial contractors only have a short window to spray the bracken and getting hold of chemicals from overseas can take up to six weeks, Mr Walker reiterated the vital importance of prompt action from the government to approve emergency authorisation for Asulam.

The delay in making the decision last year has already caused less bracken to be sprayed in 2022, making the weed harder to control in future years. “Controlling bracken is something you need to keep on top of, not do once and then think it’s all fine,” he pointed out.

“Where bracken grows, the land is unproductive. We can’t work it or get an income from it. Nothing else grows there, so there’s no biodiversity or climate benefits either. It’s a monoculture of weeds. The only way to control this insidious plant is to aerial spray with Asulam.

“That is the only way we can continue to produce food from our hillsides, keep our animals and the public safe, and sustain the rural economy,” Mr Walker concluded.

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Bale grazing implemented at Gowbarrow Hall Farm. Image credit to Angus Birditt, Pasture for Life.

Bale grazing is a common practice in North America and Canada, and involves putting bales out in the summer to feed outwintered cattle. It allows continuation of mob grazing from the warmer months, where the farmer can fence off each bale so the livestock can access one area at a time, enabling the rest of the field to recover once the herd has moved on.

The potential benefits of bale grazing have not been widely explored in the UK to date. Hoping to initiate positive change, six triallists have joined the farmer-led research project supported by Innovative Farmers and are already seeing success in proving this method as a nature-friendly and cheaper alternative to current overwintering practices.

Winter grazing usually involves feeding cattle on a “sacrificial field” of a single fodder crop like turnips or kale, which means ploughing up permanent pasture for a crop with no commercial value. What’s more, the cattle often damage the field, causing soil erosion and runoff, whereas bale grazing could return carbon and nutrients to the soil via trampled hay.

Trial co-ordinator and participant Nikki Yoxall, who farms a herd of native cattle in Aberdeenshire, said the field lab aims to investigate how these benefits can open “new welfare and commercial avenues” for farmers.

“There are farmers in the field lab who used to house cattle and are now using bale grazing as a way of outwintering, and they are already seeing cost reductions in terms of labour, fuel, machinery, and housing,” she pointed out.

“Initiatives like these put control in the hands of the farmers. Working with Innovative Farmers, we hope to show that bale grazing can have positive effects across several farm and soil types and encourage other farming communities to make positive changes.”

Boost for nature and animal welfare

As part of the project, triallists are testing the assumption that trampled hay can increase biodiversity by providing food and habitats for wildlife like earthworms, dung beetles, birds, and voles, as well as potentially boosting the yield of the permanent pasture when spring comes.

In contrast, hay and manure become waste products when cattle are being overwintered indoors. Bale grazing also provides an alternative to ploughing up permanent pasture, which often results in runoff into water catchments.

Changes to soil quality will be monitored throughout the field lab, and it is hoped bale grazing can help to avoid negative impacts on soil structure. Soil and forage samples will be taken in August 2023 and every summer until 2026.

The farmers also hope to demonstrate that bale grazing offers a low-risk solution with the housing system available as a backup, particularly if the farm still has a shed.

As overwintering indoors implies a higher risk of disease like pneumonia due to moisture levels, the animal welfare benefits of bale grazing cannot be overlooked. Cattle are known to comfortably live at -10°C without needing to warm themselves up, meaning housing often isn’t necessary.

Innovative Farmers Manager Rebecca Swinn commented: “The potential environmental benefits of the bale grazing trial cannot be overstated. Feeding manure back into the soil encourages vital insects to work over winter, increasing the health of the soil and providing food for birds and mammals.

“Results from the field lab could also have far-reaching implications for farm businesses, as less energy is lost through labour and fuel, saving money for use elsewhere on the farm.”

Case study of using cattle as a “regenerative tool”

Organic tenant farmer Silas Hedley-Lawrence manages a herd of around 300 beef and dairy store cattle on heavy clay and flood plains just outside Oxford. He has been bale grazing his cattle for four years and joined the field lab to gain specific data on what this practice is delivering for the farm.

Using this approach, he’s seen a reduction in costs of around two-thirds per head from the national average of £2.40 to just spending around £1 per animal per day.

Cattle grazing unrolled hay on the farm of Silas Hedley-Lawrence.

He said: “We farm on clay on flood plains and most people will say you can’t overwinter cattle on that. Not only are we doing it but we’re doing it as a tool to increase biodiversity and regeneration.

“The perception of what outwintering involves is so different to the reality of what we see here. We aren’t wrecking or sacrificing any fields. If it can work on our wet, heavy soils then it’s certainly an option for other farmers to use as a regenerative tool.”

Mr Hedley-Lawrence grazes his cattle in a tall grass system over the warmer months and uses bale grazing in the winter. The cattle are in a fenced off cell for a short period, usually one day, all year round.

He said while there are noticeable cost savings to this approach, farmers should also take into account the wider benefits. “It’s a holistic system where we are using the cattle as a regenerative tool to trample seeds into the ground. We don’t have to muck out sheds in spring, or reseed, or sort out any trashed fields.

“The pasture comes back each year more diverse and more productive – in May and June the area will be awash with wildflowers and herbs,” he added.

“The experiment has been great for wildlife on the farm. We’ve seen increased numbers of cattle egrets with the herd over the last two winters, and due to the additional manure dung beetles are bouncing back quite noticeably. Barn owls and hares were rarely sighted before and are now commonplace,” Mr Hedley-Lawrence concluded.

To find out more and to follow the trial, visit www.innovativefarmers.org.

The post Bale grazing as a cost saving and environmental solution explored in new trials appeared first on Farmers Guide.

Stock photo for illustration purposes only.

The trial involves farmers comparing their usual winter forage of a brassica mono-culture with a diverse, 16-species fodder crop mix – including clovers, hairy vetch, ryegrass, spring oats, kale and linseed.

The aim is to investigate whether the multi-species mix can reduce soil erosion and increase biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife, while also providing a nutritional crop that maintains animal health and performance.

The results so far are really encouraging, according to project coordinator Sarah Whaley from the Farming Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG).

The concept behind the trial

It is common practice among beef farmers to graze their cattle on a single brassica forage crop over the winter, such as kale or fodder beet, in order to reduce feed costs and indoor time for the herd.

However, many farmers are dissatisfied with the current system of monoculture winter brassicas as it damages soil health, increases surface runoff and causes issues in the wider environment despite providing low-cost and reliable forage. In addition, mono-crops are more susceptible to pests and diseases, requiring higher chemical and fertiliser inputs.

However, high nitrogen content and low fibre availability mean the rumination and general contentment of the animals can be compromised if left to graze on the fields alone. Therefore, farmers must provide supplementary hay to maintain growth rates, which adds to the workload and can create considerable destruction on fields.

Inspired by the success of a similar practice in New Zealand, the field lab set out to test whether the higher biomass of a diverse crop can boost farm resilience by protecting the soil structure. Amongst others, farmers were hoping to see reduced erosion and runoff, and higher worm counts, infiltration rates, and water holding capacity.

Ran in partnership with FWAG in the South West, research elements and overall project management have been carried out by ecologists and soil researchers, who also provided farmers with a wealth of knowledge on the importance of farming on healthy soils.

Elaborating on the concept behind the trial, Sarah Whaley from FWAG said: “Plants work better in a community, and diversity supports the beneficial symbiotic relationships both above and below ground.

“While conventional farming practices have relied on mono-cropping as a rule, there is much research around improved responses in soil health, animal performance and wider environmental benefits from bringing in diversity.

“Whilst winter brassicas are valuable to farmers, this field lab aims to investigate if there is an alternative way that offers a multitude of benefits over forage value alone.”

She added that the crop mix developed for the trial is not a “one-size-fits-all solution” and its success will vary depending on the soil type and climate of farms amongst other factors.

If successful, establishing diverse seed mixes could be rewarded in the government’s Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) which currently require farmers to have “no more than 5% bare ground over winter.” Moreover, by reducing fertiliser inputs, diverse forage crops could also contribute to meeting the industry’s Carbon Net Zero targets.

Trial design and early establishment

The field lab was set up in May 2022 on four beef cattle farms in Devon and Somerset, of which two are organic and two conventional. Each farmer was required to establish a 4 ha plot of forage brassica or fodder beet as per their “normal” system and an equal-sized plot of the diverse forage crop.

A display of some of the species included in the diverse mix.

Drilling of the two crops was either carried out on the same field or adjacent fields to match soil type and growing conditions. Prior to crop establishment, soil sampling was carried out to determine nutrient availability.

The 16-species mix was selected by farmers for soil health, ecological benefits, birdseed, winter hardiness and fodder potential. The components of the mix, of which 27.275 kg was sown per ha, can be viewed on the Innovative Farmers website.

For the following 12 months, the trial set out to monitor and measure the potential of the diverse mix to:

• maintain animal health, welfare and performance

• extend winter grazing and produce a ‘second bite’ of grazing in early spring, depending on regrowth

• improve soil quality for the following cropping season

• boost biodiversity by creating a habitat for multiple species like pollinators and invertebrates, including insects and seed that are a food source for bats and birds

• reduce soil erosion, compaction and run-off of sediment and nutrients into waterways

• decrease pest and disease pressure requiring fewer inputs

• reduce indoor housed winter feed, incurred costs, and use of fossil fuels.

Cattle was weighed and body condition scored prior to the trial and have been closely monitored on both trial and control fields. Moreover, visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) scoring, earthworm counts, and rhizosheath monitoring were also carried out throughout the field lab as part of the holistic soil management system implemented on trial fields.

The farmers participating in the trial have reportedly been very enthusiastic and cooperative, eager to discover the benefits diverse forage has to offer. Some have already experimented with grazing cover crops of four to seven species including grasses and annual clovers with good results.

Triallist George Greed, who farms 280 cows on his organic farm in Devon, said:

“I passionately believe I have a responsibility, as a farmer and custodian of this land, to do what I can to support biodiversity. From providing shelter and food for wildlife and pollen for bees to providing a more diverse source of winter bird food, I am interested to find out what benefits diverse fodder can provide.”

His opinion is echoed by other participants, including Chris Berry, who farms a 180ha conventional farm supporting 900 breeding ewes and lambs alongside 65 head of beef cattle near Exeter.

He said: “There is quite a bit of unknown within this trial, but I think we all agree there is massive potential. As a curious farmer who out-winters most of our livestock, I am always looking to improve or seek out better alternatives to achieve the best all-round sustainable outcome for the soil and livestock health.”

Animal health and welfare has been a top priority throughout the trial, and farmers had complete autonomy over management decisions to suit their livestock. For example, it was up to the farmers to decide when to start feeding hay or how often to move cattle within their strip or cell grazing systems.

Speaking to Farmers Guide, Sarah Whaley said the establishment of the trial mix has varied between farms depending on the timing of drilling and available moisture, but has overall been satisfactory. Some species, such as the tillage radish and vetch, were more dominant and spread quickly, while a small number of species failed to germinate entirely.

Results so far show potential for the future

According to Ms Whaley, the beneficial effects provided by the diverse mix were evident from very early on following establishment. When compared with adjacent mono-crop fields, there was significantly greater pollinator presence on the trial side, owing to the greater amount of forage available for these species.

A closer look at the 16-species mix on a trial field.

Invertebrates in general were also far more abundant in numbers and diversity on trial fields, which had a knock-on effect on bird numbers, Ms Whaley said. Meanwhile, the kale crop on the control fields attracted a large number of cabbage white butterflies, but was lacking in most of the diversity and ecosystem services benefitting the trial fields.

In terms of soil health, the complex and dense root structure of the multispecies crop produced very stark results when compared to the simple rooting system of the kale crop. To illustrate the magnitude of the effect, Ms Whaley shared observations from a farm where a single 8 ha field was divided between the 16-species mix and the kale crop.

Despite the two plots having had the same tillage and soil structure, sampling revealed vast differences in the soil structure on either side. Ms Whaley described the trial side having the “ideal chocolate cake texture” with the soil being friable and crumbly, while the soil on the kale side was noticeably more compact with obvious layering.

“There seems to be less compaction [on the trial side], much greater organic matter, deeper rooting and greater root biomass which helps the soil structure with the roots exudates feeding soil microbial activity,” Ms Whaley explained in an interview with Farmers Guide.

Moreover, the diverse mix had considerably less disease and pest pressure, likely due to the diversity of species counteracting the overabundance of a single population of pests, Ms Whaley said. While there were instances of aphids or dock persisting on mono-crop fields, the multispecies mix remained largely unaffected.

“The diverse mix probably reduces the risk of a single species being attacked by a single pest and farmers losing a whole crop as there are other species that are more resilient,” Ms Whaley added.

Presenting at the Oxford Real Farming Conference on the 6^th of January, Ms Whaley provided some more recent updates on the trial, which was 6 months in progress at the time.

Cattle have been grazing on the fields since November and have been content on both sides. However, due to all farms moving through their mixed species plots at a high rate and the kale crop not providing enough fibre, supplementary feeding of hay was necessary on both sides.

At the same time, while the diverse mix has evidently lost a lot biomass, that material has gone back into the soil to benefit the underground ecosystem, unlike the kale stalks, Ms Whaley pointed out. She added that soil health appears to be a lot better on the mixed species plots, with the animals being held out of the mud and working less hard.

There have also been signs of regrowth on the mixed fields, and it will be interesting to see whether the animals will get a second bite in the spring which they certainly won’t get from the kale crop, Ms Whaley said.

A strong advocate of regenerative agriculture and agroecology, Ms Whaley emphasized that managing a living system is never linear and farmers have to be flexible to adapt to the needs of their soil and livestock.

Considering the multitude of benefits diverse seed mixes can provide, she encourages farmers to experiment with multiple species and monitor what works best on their farm. After all, seed cost is negligible compared to the costs associated with soil destruction caused by the current system of monoculture winter brassicas, she added.

Trial field showcasing the diverse crop mix.

Regarding the potential impact diverse fodder crops could have on farm resilience and the wider environment across the UK, Rebecca Swinn, Innovative Farmers manager said:

“Success could help farmers increase biodiversity, capture carbon, and protect their most valuable resource – soil. Field labs mean that the results can be put directly to use so practices can change in real time. Giving farmers the confidence to test these ideas is what Innovative Farmers is all about.”

“If you look after nature, it will look after you”: A triallist’s view

Richard Stanbury, one of the participants of the trial, farms about 450 head of beef cattle and lambs around 900 ewes on his farm in Devon. In an interview with Farmers Guide, Mr Stanbury related his experiences with the trial so far and shared his views on farming in harmony with nature.

With his beef operation, he has been aiming to finish as many followers as possible on a grass-based diet and to ultimately outwinter the entire herd. In recent years, the farm gradually transitioned away from the single monoculture system to drilling plant mixes of two to three species including brassica, oats and ryegrass.

Mr Stanbury’s initial aim with the trial mix was to give the animals the crop in the field rather than having to supplementary feed. “This way, they would graze quite naturally outdoors, get what they need and be happy, and also wouldn’t be stood around one spot eating the round bale and destructing the soil,” he remarked.

Like other participants, Mr Stanbury was also surprised at the striking difference the 16-species mix made to the soil and the welfare of his animals. He recalled the day his farm received four inches of rain during the first week of winter grazing and said it was rewarding to see how well the mix coped.

While there was a lot more poaching and standing water on the kale side following the downpour, the trial plot had shown hardly any signs of heavy rain, with the soil being a lot more free-draining due to the root structure.

Worm counts have also been higher on the trial side with significantly more biodiversity observed above ground. Mr Stanbury said the cows also lied down more frequently on the trial side due to the ground being much less compacted, which positively affects their welfare.

“It gives you happiness that you are doing your bit for the environment, a bit of pride,” he told Farmers Guide. “The public will also be on your side if they see farmers giving back to the environment.”

When asked about the challenges encountered during the trial, Mr Stanbury said the main struggle with the mix was determining the size of land to seed on. As some species like the radish or sunflower provide no nutritional value to cattle, the mix offers less dry matter overall and requires a larger area to satisfy the needs of livestock.

Even though the multispecies mix has mostly been grazed down on Richard Stanbury’s farm, the first signs of regrowth are already evident.

At the end of the day, even if there is a need for supplementary hay and growth rates are the same on both sides, Mr Stanbury said the seed mix offers massive benefits with reduced soil impact and poaching and a potential re-graze in the spring.

He recommends farmers give the seed mix a try and see how it works on their farm, starting with three or six varieties and gradually building it up based on the needs of the soil and livestock.

“By doing it this way, we’re farming with nature, wildlife, and still farming productively. Those two things work hand in hand,” he said.

In his final remarks, Mr Stanbury reminded farmers of the importance of keeping an open mind and trying new things, especially in the face of challenging times that lie ahead.

To keep up to date with the progress of the trial and to learn more about farmer-led research, visit: www.innovativefarmers.org

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Launched in 2022, the scheme is one of several incentives being rolled out by the government as part of the transition from direct BPS payments towards measures targeting soils, the environment and ‘public good’.

At the meeting, Charlie I’Anson of Yorkshire-based I’Anson Farm Feeds told farmers: “There is a good opportunity from the SFI, and farmers are already doing a lot of what’s required, so it’s nice they can get recognition for that.”

Mr I’Anson said the purpose of the meeting was to provide farmers with clarity on grassland SFI opportunities and help them get the most out of the scheme.

Rewarding good practice

The SFI improved grassland soils standard currently has two levels, introductory and intermediate, with an advanced option expected in 2023. Qualifying farmers will enter into a three-year agreement, over which period they need to meet several criteria to be eligible for payment as shown in the table below:

Grassland SFI requirements

Hutchinsons colleague Matthew Powell listed the four key measures farmers need to carry out at introductory level:

1. Soil assessment and development of a soil management plan. Regular review is also required to identify issues and remedial actions (e.g. surface pooling due to compaction addressed with methodical use of roots and targeted cultivations)
2. Testing of soil organic matter (the date of tests must be within the last five years)
3. Application of organic matter to every parcel in the agreement at least once every three years
4. Maintenance of 95% overwinter cover(1 December–28 February) including poached land.

At intermediate level, farmers must comply with all of the above, in addition to a requirement for a diverse sward containing herbs and legumes to be established on 15% of land within 12 months.

“All grass is eligible, unless it’s completely unimproved for over 15 years. For this, an unimproved grassland option is due for later release,” Mr Powell added.

He also pointed out that SFI rules were less prescriptive than the CSS as there are no requirements for a specific species mix to be used. “It can include a mixture of grasses, legumes, and herbs, could be reseeded or overseeded, and you can maintain an existing herbal ley to meet the requirement,” Mr Powell said.

To add to the SFI’s flexibility, eligible areas can even be moved around the farm.

Will Foyle from Hutchinsons said: “There haven’t been decent grassland options available in the Countryside Stewardship scheme, so it’s encouraging the SFI rewards the good farming practice many improved dairy and beef grassland farms are already doing.”

He added that due to high fertiliser costs and a greater focus on reducing the carbon footprint of imported soya-based feeds, farmers should consider adding home-grown sources of protein to their mixes.

Chris Blashill, Hutchinsons digital services specialist. ©Tim Scrivener Photographer

Digital mapping provides further opportunities

Hutchinsons digital services specialist, Chris Blashill, said Omnia’s Field Manager services could help farmers easily and efficiently prove compliance with SFI requirements.

“Additionally, farmers can get extra value by having better soil analysis, creating tailored application plans for organic and inorganic fertiliser, and produce reports to help with Red Tractor or NVZ compliance,” Mr Blashill explained.

Along these lines, SFI requirements can also be viewed as the catalyst for more in-depth soil analysis. Undertaking a Healthy Soils or Terramap analysis provides farmers with far more accurate and detailed information than basic testing.

“There are instances where we’ve Terramapped farms and paid for the service in the first year through savings on lime where pH has been wrong,” Mr Foyle noted.

SFI payments “look less, but are worth more”

Mr Foyle acknowledged that SFI uptake had been slow so far, partly because some farmers considered the payment too small. However, he pointed out this is largely due to a lack of understanding of how SFI payments are calculated.

Unlike previous CSS options, SFI payments were available across all eligible hectares entered into the standard, even if the action has only been completed on a percentage of that land.

For instance, on a hypothetical 100 ha farm, if 15 ha was put into a CSS GS4 legume and herb-rich sward, the £358/ha payment only applied to that 15 ha. On the other hand, putting 15% of the land into a grass/clover sward under the SFI, meant £58/ha was paid across the whole 100 ha.

“On the face of it, the SFI payment looks less, but when you do the maths and understand how the payment is calculated, it’s worth more,” Mr Foyle explained.

Moreover, he added that the SFI provides scope for future support: “Next year there will be other standards coming in for nutrient management, IPM and hedgerows. We don’t know what these will involve yet, but it’s likely there’ll be more payments available for other things many farmers are doing already.”

Changes to manure requirements

The SFI requirement to add organic matter (OM) was also discussed at the meeting, with reference to Defra’s Farming Rules for Water that placed various restrictions on OM applications.

Hutchinsons’s Louis Williams outlined the changes to these measures, which were announced in response to industry concerns.

The autumn crop requirement had been removed, enabling farmers to once again apply manures ahead of winter cereals if there was no significant risk of pollution. In addition, phosphate restrictions were also updated, so that farmers may be able to apply manures to land even where phosphate index exceeds target, in cases where:

1. Farmers produce and apply their own organic manure and cannot reasonably avoid this
2. Farmers import organic manure as part of an integrated fertiliser system
3. Farmers have taken all reasonable precautions to help mitigate against diffuse pollution

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“It’s a big challenge for the livestock sector,” says Philip. “Arable farmers may have made a straightforward economic calculation about their optimum N rates, but livestock farmers also have to calculate making forage to feed their animals, as substituting homegrown forage with purchased feed will be more expensive.”

Like other sectors, the fertiliser industry has also experience multiple problems with logistics and deliveries. As spring approaches, this is yet another thing that farmers must account for.

Reducing rates

“There are many things to think about,” says Philip. “For example, the actual return on dry matter per kg of N is particularly variable in the spring, depending on weather and soil conditions. Sometimes we can have a good return of (12-15kg of dry matter per 1kg of N), sometimes far less (3-5kg of dry matter per 1kg of N).”

In addition, Philip suggests that reducing N rates on first-cut silage fertiliser could ultimately be problematic: “The most reliable return on N is in the first cut and we don’t know what the weather’s going to be like later. Reducing N in hope that costs will come down and you can make up deficit later that could be quite risky.”

“ Those savings can also incur costs elsewhere. I would look at maintaining optimum N rates on first cut. Reducing the number of hectares needs to be carefully considered and worked out according to how much silage you actually need.”

Straight N

Is a straight N product worth switching to? Here, Philip is quick to answer. “There’s no point switching,” he says. “If you’ve spread using a compound fertiliser in other years and then switch back to straight N, you’re likely to suffer a 10% yield loss at minimum, with potential other consequences.”

“We recommend continuing to use an NPKS fertiliser in order to maintain NUE (Nutrient Use Efficiency).”

Slurry and manures

Farmer should look to utilise more slurry in the spring for grazing and first cuts, as spreading in the spring increases the N availability within it. By applying earlier, we can effectively reduce fertiliser requirements by about £5 or £6 per 10 m³.

“There is huge variability, not just in our soils but manure,” says Philip. “This year it would be worthwhile getting it analysed and really get some accuracy in terms of how much purchased fertiliser you can replace.”

Intensively stocked grassland farms in particular should also consider soil testing more regularly to monitor soil fertility trends. Organic manures are often applied on the same parts of the farm, year after year, for a number of reasons, but this ultimately undermines the potential value of this resource.

“Fertiliser recommendations are not an exact science,” says Philip. “Remember, grass requires a continuous and balanced nutrient supply from the soil to achieve its production potential. If a farm is regularly soil testing, say every three years, then the £1 ha/year cost is money well spent.”

Prioritise efficiency

 At the close of the podcast, Philip asks farmers to consider their options and not just assume that what worked in the past will necessarily produce the best results: “Look at soil temperatures and long-range forecasts. For example, if we wait until the grass is growing before applying, we can miss out on potential early grass growth. Applying when soil conditions are right increases the amount of grass grown over a given period. This early grass is very valuable.

“Basically, regardless of the price of fertiliser we should be looking at efficiency. Nutrient management planning should be done earlier rather than later. Spread the risk where possible and optimise your first cut – it’s where you get the best bang for your buck per kg of N.”

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How can you ensure a successful reseed? Philip Cosgrave, Country Grassland Agronomist at Yara, took the time to walk us through the steps for improved results:

Step 1

“The first stage is to identify the paddocks you have that are performing poorly. After that, you can then look closer for further analysis.”

Step 2

“We need to assess these paddocks for their content of desirable grasses. If the figure is anything less than 60%, re-seeding is definitely worth considering. Also take annual meadow grass and other weed grasses into account. These do not respond well to applied nutrients, along with offering poorer feed quality and lower yields. In fact, yield will be reduced by 1% for every 1% in weed ground cover.”

Step 3

“Take a soil test. Act on the results. It’s vital you do this before you get to work reseeding. The optimum pH for grass in mineral soils is 6.3. Failure to correct for that will severely impact your reseed’s success. Be sure to choose varieties that will suit your farm circumstances from the Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL).”

Step 4

“Make sure those new swards get the correct nutrients at sowing. Without the right nutrients, the success of the ley will be undermined. With good soil fertility (i.e., P & K index is 2), you would ideally want a balanced product containing nitrogen, phosphate, and potash in a 1:1:1 ratio together, along with sulphur. Roughly 250 – 300 kg/ha should then be applied to the seedbed before sowing.”

Philip Cosgrave, Country Grassland Agronomist at Yara,

Step 5

“If you’ve got clover in the mix, ideally you should apply a quality granular compound fertiliser that targets areas where nitrogen use is limited. Approximately 200 kg/ha should do. Remember that new leys need more phosphate to assist with root development and good contact between the seed and soil is vital, so roll after sowing.

After between four to six weeks post-emergence, Philip recommends applying herbicide to prevent weeds competing for nutrients and space. Grazing also needs to play a role. When the grass reaches a height of 8-10cm, this is the ideal time for a light grazing to help promote new shoots.

“Following these steps will help support the long-term productivity of your new sward,” adds Philip. “Reseeding this autumn can be relatively straightforward and make a huge difference when it comes to results. The key is examining what your soil needs and taking the right steps to help the crop establish.”

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For K O Machines Darren Winstanley said, “PDM Produce were looking to replace a machine they had used for just a couple of years and the Muthing reputation for build quality and performance, convinced them it was the ideal option for their business.”

For PDM Produce, Workshop Manager Mark Turner added, “the decision to go for the MU-Pro/F Vario was influenced by the range of Muthing qualities, particularly the versatile shear- baroption which allows us to increase or decrease cut length.“

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Muthing range said, “this is the first 8.6m MU-Pro/F Vario model into the UK market. Ideal for tractors up to 400hp, features include a purposely designed hood in conjunction with high rotor and cutting speeds giving excellent mulching and shredding quality.

The tried and tested Muthing Vario system is standard and other features include the patented removable shredding bar system (Shark Fin) to spread the material evenly behind the mulching mower. Perfect ground following is delivered by the MU-SOFA weight transfer system as is maximum  working width in the field. Transport width is 2.85m and total height is well below 4m.”

For more information visit www.slopemower.co.uk

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