The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Trevor Cook to share grazing advice
Livestock farmers have been invited to attend a ‘better grazing’ meeting at the Gloagburn farm coffee shop, near Perth, on Wednesday September 20.
The key speaker will be Trevor Cook, a grazing consultant and qualified vet from New Zealand who is well-known by farmers around the world for his work in farm consultancy, extension and research.
At next month’s meeting, Mr Cook will share his knowledge on livestock production and lead discussions on how Scottish livestock farmers can improve the utilisation of grass on their farms to maximise output and keep costs down.
He said: “In order to get the highest level of production from our livestock, it is important to understand their nutritional needs and how this fits with grass growth and quality.
“Knowing the nutritional demands of your stock and the value of correct feeding during pregnancy, lactation and post weaning is therefore critical to help drive profitability”
Mr Cook said farmers faced many challenges to ensure their animals are kept in the right body condition score to ensure optimal performance.
“Grass supply and demand can be a challenge at certain times of the year, as is ensuring the correct quality and quantity of forage offered,” he added.
Quality Meat Scotland knowledge transfer specialist Emily Grant encouraged livestock farmers to attend these meetings.
“Understanding the role of nutrition in ensuring optimal calving and lambing percentages, new-born survival and growth rates is fundamental to profitability,” she said.
“Meeting most of these nutritional demands from grass will help keep purchased input costs as low as possible.
“This will be a valuable meeting whatever type of grazing system you have in place.”
Other ‘better grazing’ meetings will be held at NTS Culloden, Inverness (September 14); the Thainstone Centre, Inverurie (September 15); the Ardshiel Hotel, Campbeltown (September 18); the Dryfesdale Hotel, Lockerbie (September 21); and Melrose Rugby Club (September 25).
Places at these events will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. For more information and to reserve your place, please contact QMS on 0131 472 4040 or email info@qmscotland.co.uk.