“So, how can farm benchmarking help my farm?” You may ask. Well, it can have great benefits in helping to make your farm business more profitable, resilient, and reach your long-term goals. It offers farms the chance to analyse and compare their performance with either themselves annually, or other farms of a similar size and enterprise mix. With the industries future uncertain and markets volatile thanks to a combination of Brexit and climate change amongst several other factors, benchmarking can help ensure the business is operating as efficiently as possible.
These top ten tips from arable & forage managers; Dr Simon Pope (Agronomy), Dave Mitchell (Fertiliser) and Adam Simper (Seed) will help you to maximise on-farm margins from grassland forage in 2018.
Negative energy balance during early lactation is a demanding physiological state for the cow at the best of times, and can be made worse through the feeding of butyric silage. The cow’s liver requires optimal condition as the demand for glucose increases from 1kg/d in late gestation to 2.5kg/d 3 weeks post calving. A successful transition determines the success of the subsequent lactation, with energy levels crucial to immune function during the transition period. The feeding of butyric silage, however, can increase the risk of ketosis in cows at all stages of lactation. This is often referred to as type III ketosis, which is the focus of this article.
Farmers could increase maize yields by as much as 15% dry matter by applying sulphur alongside nitrogen.
Speaking at Syngenta's maize conference in Shifnal, Shropshire, independent consultant George Fisher said sulphur deposited from the atmosphere was now so low due to cleaner industries that even maize crops are responding to applications of the nutrient.
Traditionally growers often reach for contact acting postemergence herbicides for spring cereals. However, by considering the use of pre-emergence residuals, weed control can often be improved, whilst at the same time reducing the total spent on sprays.
Having a plan to harvest some of your cereal crops for whole-crop cereal silage is a "no brainer" if you need to top-up tight grass silage stocks on dairy and other livestock farms, says silage specialist, Derek Nelson.
Winter wheat is still an option for many to consider between now and January. However, it is always advisable to make sure you are aware of the latest sowing date which is safe for your specific variety before considering spring crops as an alternative.
Maize silage and crimped maize grain are used throughout the UK to efficiently feed beef cattle. Maize isn’t a suitable crop for growing in all parts of England as it is dependent on farm location, soil type, altitude and field aspect for good results. These variables must be analysed and considered carefully before deciding whether or not to grow the crop.
