Increasing beef production from grass and grazed forage by using farmers as mentors

摘要

Four beef farmers who wanted to improve their grazing management (improvers) were recruited across England and paired with local farmers, who had already improved their grazing techniques (mentors). Informal training was provided by the mentors with regular visits and conversations. Two grassland consultants provided technical support to the improvers and facilitated the regular events that were held on the improvers' farms. The activity covered two grazing seasons with the aims of reducing the number of days cattle are housed, increasing stocking rates across the grazing platform and improving growth rates from grazing and silage. During the first grazing season, rotational grazing was introduced on each of the improver farms. Fields were split into smaller paddocks using temporary electric fencing and weekly grass growth measurements were taken using either a plate meter or compressed sward stick. Through rotational grazing, grassland utilisation increased by as much as 30% on the improver farms.The next focus was to extend the grazing period and reseed any poorly performing paddocks. All four improver farms have made significant improvements to their grazing management and through the approach used have developed a community of interested producers around them.