Farmer workshops target better use of forage

Workshops covering the key issues around the planning, production and utilisation of homegrown forages are being staged for farmers this winter by Terra Nitrogen and Kingshay Farming Trust.

The one-day events are taking place at up to a dozen venues across England and Wales during January, February and March and are open to all farmers that apply as long as places are available.

"We shall be using the latest information, including Kingshay's own trial data, to help farmers determine the best balance of forages for their individual situations," explains Kingshay's John Hocknell, who will lead the workshops. "This will include requirements for grazing as well as winter feeding, and will look at the cost of growing different forages as well as the pros and cons from an intake and nutritional point of view.

"Every farm has some scope to improve, and - due to the fact that solutions are likely to be different in every case - the workshop approach will allow use to provide more meaningful and practical advice. Each delegate will receive a comprehensive workbook full of useful information and data and including worksheets for forage planning."

The cost of attending one of the workshops has been subsidised, so a nominal administration fee of £50 per attendee is being charged. Further information on the locations and dates of the workshops is available from Terra Nitrogen's freephone advice line by calling 0800 085 3296.