Farmers should consider applying selenium fertiliser to their grassland in a bid to improve farm animal health all year round. And visitors to Grassland UK will have a chance to see the results first hand.
According to the British Geological Survey, about 90% of agricultural soils are deficient in selenium, which has a direct impact on selenium levels in grazed and ensiled forage. With the UK’s premier forage event looming, sponsor Origin Fertilisers has been applying selenium to the host farm, and will be announcing trial results at the event on 7 May.
“Selenium deficiency has serious health implications,” says Peter Scott, Origin’s Technical Director. “In cattle, symptoms include infertility, retained placenta, white muscle disease, poor live weight gain and a range of auto-immune disorders.” Rather than using expensive mineral supplements, farmers should consider boosting selenium levels in their forage instead. “This is a cost-effective and simple solution as you’ll be spreading fertiliser anyway.”
With farm incomes under intense pressure, many producers will be seeking to maximise production from forage this year, says Alan Lyons, Head of Shows at the Royal Bath & West Society. “Grassland UK really is a one-stop shop for anything to do with forage production. For anyone wanting to make the most of their grass, it is an essential date in the diary.”
The one-day triennial event attracts more than 8000 visitors from across the UK and beyond, showcasing a vast array of machinery demonstrations over the 100-acre site. “Visitors are able to see the latest equipment in action, learn about new grass varieties and technology, and speak to experts on any related topic,” says Mr Lyons.
As well as the packed seminar programme, sponsored by the British Grassland Society, DairyCo and Eblex, visitors will be able to see muck, slurry and silage demonstrations, and browse more than 140 trade stands from all sectors of the industry.
Agrii’s precision farming team SoilQuest will also be demonstrating how they scanned and mapped the show site to develop the targeted nutrient programme. “Understanding the source of variation is key to crop performance,” says Chris Hoskins, Agrii’s SoilQuest manager for the west region. “Soil type is the key driver in this variation, and has a huge impact on other decision making processes.”
