This meeting aims to investigate innovative practices around feed for monogastrics being used in your region. 

Venue: Maple Farm, Kelsale, Saxmundham, IP17 2PJ

The OK-Net EcoFeed project is looking at the supply of organic feed for monogastric animals (pigs, layers and broiler chicken), more details can be found here. It is particularly looking at alternative organic protein sources due to the dependence in the EU on imported Soya, and the need for more regional food to be used.

We are holding a series of meetings to consider what innovative practices and feeds are being used in your region. There is scope within the OK-Net EcoFeed project to run some small-scale trials, or tests to investigate some of these ideas or feeds to see if there is some potential in the future.

This meeting will involve presentations of some previous research from Europe and also a farm walk looking at a grain sprouting system for layers as well as seed mixes used to provide a diverse grass ley for ranging chickens.

One outcome of the project is to increase knowledge and share information better. There is a website www.organic-farmknowledge.org which was initially set up following a similar arable project and will be updated with animal feed research when it is available.

There will be lunch provided by the host farm.

Please note that the farm walk will involve uneven ground, please let us know if you have any specific access requirements in advance.

To book your place please click here. 

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 773911. Follow the project on Twitter and Facebook.

Join AHDB Beef & Lamb and independent sheep and beef consultant Dr Liz Genever for a workshop looking at soil and grass management to improve animal performance and farm profitability. The workshop will focus on measuring and monitoring grass growth and quality, and the infrastructure required to improve grazing strategies.

The meeting will be hosted by one of the new GrassCheckGB project farms. Grasscheck was set up to help calculate the variation in grass potential across Great Britain. The project has been running in Northern Ireland for several years, and we’ll discuss their findings so far.

Programme

2:00 pm         Arrival, refreshments and registration

2:15 pm         Welcome and introductions – Amy Hughes (AHDB)

2:30 pm          Introduction to host farm and their involvement with GrassCheckGB project - Jack Hanson (host)              

2.45 pm         What are your questions? - Liz Genever

3.15 pm          Farm walk covering the basics of grazing management, looking at grazing strategies and GrassCheckGB equipment – Liz Genever and Jack Hanson (host)              

4.15 pm          What were the key points from today’s farm walk? – Liz Genever                    

4:45 pm          Summary and any final questions – Liz Genever and KEM

5:00 pm         Close

To book your FREE place ring the AHDB Beef & Lamb events Hub on 01904 771218 or email [email protected]

*Booking is essential. Please bring clean wellington boots and outdoor clothing.

Horticultural Science - looking to the future. 

The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology is hosting a one - day conference to celebrate a century of publishing new horticultural science and technology.

Venue: Charlecote Pheasant Hotel, Charlecote Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, CV35 9EW

More information here 

AHDB Cereals event

Venue: Newton Lodge Farm, Spring Lane, Clifton Reynes, Olney, Milton Keynes, MK46 5DS

Rick Davies farms 404ha in partnership with his parents, trading as MTH Davies, between Northampton, Bedford and Milton Keynes. He grows Group 1 milling wheat, malting spring barley and HOLL oilseed rape, adding value where ever possible all for premium markets. The soil is a mixture of sandy loam, corn brash, silt and heavy clay loam. Crops are currently established with a Claydon-based direct drill and Rick is open to looking at other establishment methods. The Davies family have a number of diversification activities from Office and industrial lets to boxed beef and self-storage these other incomes allow the business to be more risk adverse. During the three years of the Monitor Farm programme Rick hopes to increase his business resilience, reduce fixed and variable costs while maintaining yields and improve soil health for a sustainable future.

Venue: Hainey Farm, Barway, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5TZ

Farm businesses are facing dramatic shake-ups in future support mechanisms as well as changing public expectations about how land should be used and managed. This unpredictable and incentive driven climate, will require smart business strategies that offer greater resilience, consistency and cost benefits.

LEAF’s flagship IFM event looks at the big challenges facing sustainable agriculture. Bringing together farmers, innovators and industry experts, we will discuss important questions around:

Short term gains vs long term change – building benefits in the short term through better monitoring, measuring and management. Taking the long view – what are the priorities on the horizon that farmers need to be ready for?

AgTech: Does the AgTech revolution and cross sector collaborations offer a win-win for farmers? Are claims being overstated or is technology a game changer for more sustainable and productive farming?

Climate smart agriculture: What are the emerging climate resilient strategies and what they really mean for the farmer on the ground?

Policy to implementation:   A look at UK government policy and how Integrated Farm Management is feeding into key national and global sustainability objectives.

Hosted at LEAF Demonstration Farm, Cambs Farms Growers Ltd, this event will give you access to the latest research and innovation around environmentally and economically transformative practices.  Field tours will enable you to see new trends and best practice in action, talk to industry experts and crucially, gain new ideas and inspiration about what is practical and achievable on your own business.

Attendance at the LEAF IFM is FREE but early booking is recommended – click here to book on.