Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is set to co-host a GrasscheckGB grass management workshop with a farming business next week.
The workshop will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Penmaen Bach near Machynlleth.
Here, brothers Richard Rees and Huw Llyr run a 90ha holding, grazing a flock of 400 Aberfield cross ewes to Abermax rams.
GrasscheckGB is a collaboration between HCC; the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB); and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
The Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) and researchers at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and Rothamsted Research, as well as industry sponsors Germinal, Waitrose & Partners, Sciantec Analytical, Datamars Livestock and Handley Enterprises Ltd, are all part of the collaboration too.
CIEL is supporting the purchase of equipment on farms through funds from Innovate UK, the UK’s innovation agency.
The farm has been part of the GrasscheckGB initiative for two years and has provided data and support that has been “invaluable for the business”, HCC said.
The family aim to finish all lambs off grass on a rotational grazing system incorporating chicory and lucerne.
HCC said the farm is trying to keep costs as low as possible by emphasising grass production and root crop use for wintering.
Consultant Andy King will share an analysis of this season’s farm grazing data and explore how it helps on-farm decision making.
HCC head of sustainability and future policy, Rachael Madeley-Davies, said: “The work that has already been done here at Penmaen Bach provides a real in-depth insight into what can be achieved if we use data to its full advantage.
“Our industry and farming practices must evolve if we are to stay ahead of the game and lead the way in innovative, sustainable and profitable farm businesses.
“I would encourage anyone who grows this valuable resource to join the information day and get learn about the project and benefits it can deliver for their own farming enterprise.”
