DairyCo-BGS Demo Farms: Demonstrating Research in Practice. Farm visit. Crathorne Farms. 26 June

Transcription

1 DairyCo-BGS Demo Farms: Demonstrating Research in Practice Farm visit Crathorne Farms Corps House Farm Crathrone Farms Crathorne Yarm TS15 0AA 26 June

2 Contact details DairyCo: Mr Anthony Hoile Extension Officer Northern England T: E: Dr Debbie McConnell R&D Manager T: E: British Grassland Society: A: Unit 32c, Abbey Park, Stareton, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LY T: Dr George Fisher Project Manager & Acting Director M: E: Mr Charlie Morgan Independent soil and grassland management consultant T: E: Mr Andrew Manfield CTF Farmer, Yorkshire E:

3 DairyCo-BGS Demo Farms The DairyCo-BGS Demo Farms project is part of the DairyCo Grassland, Forage and Soils Research Partnership. This is a five year research collaboration with SRUC (Scotland s Rural College) in partnership with Harper Adams University and the University of Reading. This encompasses 15 different research projects which span a range of topics under the headings of: grass, alternative forages, soil, outwintering and economics. To tell farmers about the latest findings of these research projects, DairyCo and the British Grassland Society (BGS) have set up a series of demo farms for These farms will run demonstrations replicating some of the current research trials, showing how they translate into on-farm practices. More details on the research projects within the Partnership can be found on the DairyCo website Speakers Joe Dugdale, Farm Manager, Crathrone Farms Charlie Morgan, Grassmaster, Independent grassland consultant Andrew Manfield, CTF and local farmer Debbie McConnell, DairyCo R&D Manager

4 Farm profile Background Joe and his team currently manage a 400-cow, autumn block calving herd of New Zealand Holsteins. The farm is placing its focus on maximising the use of grass in diets for the herd, which is currently yielding 6,800 litres at 4.6% fat and 3.6% protein, while reducing concentrate feed rate. Grazed grass is an important component of the diet and Joe is seeking to maximise profit through better utilisation of grass, improved soil management and better resource use efficiency and this year, an earlier turnout (8/3/14 day and 14/4/14 full) has helped reduce concentrate costs. Farm details Soil type (s) Rainfall Area farmed (ha) medium clay loam 710mm Grazing 123 Silage 66 Arable 607 Cow numbers 400 Youngstock numbers 230 Calving pattern Parlour type Autumn block Waikato 36/72 swing over Calving interval (days) 367 Replacement rate 24%

5 Farm aims 1. To maximise milk solids production 2. Improve utilisation of grazed grass, both in spring and autumn 3. Improve pasture performance Cow performance (12 month rolling average) 305d Yield (litres) 6,800 Fat (%) 4.6 Protein (%) 3.6 Total concentrates fed (tonnes/cow) 1.8 Concentrate feed rate (kg/l) 0.26 Milk from forage (litres) 2,688 From left to right: Martin Lane (Herdsman), Dave Tate (Head Herdsman), Graham Bell (Dairy Farm Foreman) and Joe Dugdale (Farm Partner)

6 Farm Walk Stop 1: Investigating soil compaction Over 70% of grassland soils in England and Wales are thought to be suffering from some degree of soil compaction. This can negatively impact on soil health and water infiltration into the soil, nutrient efficiency and even grass growth, as indicated by recent DairyCofunded research undertaken at SRUC. A proportion of the grazing platform at Corps farm is exhibiting signs of soil compaction. To address this, the first demonstration investigates the effectiveness of different soil aeration techniques and measures their impact on soil health and grass growth. Treatments include: 1. No aeration 2. Spike aeration 3. Sward lifting No aeration Spike aeration Sward lifting

7 a) Impact of compaction on grass cover at two grazing events Field cover (kg DM/ha) Residual Offtake No aeration Slit aeration Sward lifting No aeration Slit aeration Sward lifting Grazing 1 Grazing 3 Initial demo findings: Grass growth was initially depressed by both the aeration techniques, however, is now showing signs of recovery To date there has been little visible improvement in soil structure with either aeration technique. To date no significant impact of aeration on grass quality. DairyCo Research: The impact of compaction Researchers at SRUC and HAU are currently investigating the impact of cattle trampling and tractor compaction on soil structural damage and grass yield. In 2011, researchers imposed three treatments on a permanent grassland sward: cattle trampling, tractor and no compaction. Results: b) Impact of compaction on soil structure.

8 Trampling Tractor No compaction c) Impact of compaction on soil water filled pore space 100 Soil Water Retention (Water Filled Pore Space, %) Compaction Event No compaction Trampled Tractor Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct d) Impact of compaction on first cut grass dry matter yield First cut yield (Kg DM/ha) No Compaction Trampling Tractor Year 1 Year 2

9 Initial findings: Both tractor and cattle compaction increased soil bulk density as indicated by large number of blocky, angular aggregates Compaction increased water retention in the soil by 17% Trampling and tractor compaction reduced first cut grass yields by approximately 20%. Stop 2: Grazing Management The farm operates a rotational paddock grazing policy and this year has focused on achieving an earlier turnout for midlactation cows to reduce the reliance on bought-in feeds. This has proved challenging but with a 5 week earlier turnout, the farm has saved significantly on feed costs during this time. e) Grazing information for Corps Farm Turnout dates Day 08-Mar 2014 Full 14-Apr Turnout dates Day 14-Apr 2013 Full 05-May Farm cover at turnout (kg DM/ha) 2,048 Farm cover (kg DM/ha) 2,412 (@ 09/06/2014) Target entry cover (kg DM/ha) 3,000 Target residual (kg DM/ha) 1, Fertiliser policy 275kg N per season

10 f) Grass wedge for platform at 12/06/ g) Variation in grass quality from the start of the growing season Dry Matter (%) Metabolisable Energy (MJ/kg DM) Crude Protein (%)

11 DairyCo Grass Research DairyCo is currently undertaking a number of grass related research projects including: Grass variety testing under low N conditions Investigating factors affecting grazed grass intakes Cut and carry (zero-grazing) systems Variety selection to improve returns Use of separated slurry on land for silage and grazing. Stop 3: Opportunities for controlled traffic and precision farming in grassland Recent work has indicated there is a large variation in the performance of swards within and between individual silage fields. The table below shows the range in DM yields collected from small areas within a single silage field at SRUC. These variations may be attributed to differences in soil (compaction, nutrient status, type) or the sward itself. Can we use precision farming techniques to address this variation? h) Variation in grass dry matter yield across a single silage field Silage Dry Matter yield (t/ha) Mean Range First cut silage Second cut silage Third cut silage Total yield Recent research undertaken at HAU shows that at a single grass cut as much as 65% of the total area of the field is passed over by tractors, with an estimated 90% of the total area of the field covered every year.

12 i) Traffic maps for a single silage cut via a) baling and b) forage wagon Recent uptake of controlled traffic farming (CTF) practices in grasslands in mainland Europe has indicated a: Soil structure improvements - 400% increase in infiltration rate Resources savings 70% reduction in fuel, time and machinery cost savings (CTF Europe). The farm team at Crathorne will be investigating if controlled traffic principles can be applied in a grassland silage field and if similar soil and resource gains can be made. DairyCo Research DairyCo is also investigating the application of new precision farming techniques for measuring grass. These include: Satellite imagery Ultrasound technology Spectral imaging. While the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, operating through its DairyCo division, seeks to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate at the time of printing, no warranty is given in respect thereof and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused (including that caused by negligence) or suffered directly or indirectly in relation to information and opinions contained in or omitted from this document. Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board All rights reserved.