An open day to examine options to maximise grass growth will be held on a Pembrokeshire farm in early September.

The event, organised by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, will take place at Cilrhue Farm, Boncath on Tuesday, September 2nd and will focus on five main areas:

• The rotational grazing of cattle – setting up, monitoring grass growth and management of available grass;

• Silage crop management;

• Maximising forage to reduce bought-in feed;

• Monitoring liveweight gains, and;

• Extending the grazing season to reduce winter costs.

“The aim of the Beef Grass Management Project, which is being carried out at Cilrhue Farm, is to improve the amount and quality of grass grown on farm and its utilisation by beef cattle,” said Lynfa Davies, HCC’s Technical Development Executive.

“By providing stock with top quality grass consistently throughout the grazing season, optimum growth rates can be maintained in all ages of grazing stock.

“Rotational grazing of different groups of cattle should enable farmers to build up grass in the autumn, extending the grazing season for stock and to carry grass over the winter to allow for early turnout in February.

This project is being carried out at Cilrhue Farm, which is owned and managed by Mrs BH Davies and her sons John and Edward Davies. They are keen to see how much costs can be saved in rearing stock to the point of finishing with this system and to find out what stock growth rates are achievable.

Anyone wishing to attend the open day, which runs from 1.30pm to 4pm, should register by emailing info@hccmpw.org.uk, text your name and ‘Cilrhue’ to 07970 907 229, or call the HCC office on 01970 625050.