Weather conditions in recent years have tended to become hotter and wetter, or hotter with drought, producing variable grazing conditions around the UK.
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Could this thick crop of barley benefit from winter grazing sheep?
Scottish trials on grazing winter cereals with sheep show the potential for earlier drilling dates, better pest/disease control and increased yield potential.
This is according to recent results from a trial carried out Graham and Iain Wilkinson’s mixed enterprise, Balgay Farm.
The trial consisted of two one-hectare blocks drilled with winter wheat, winter barley and winter oats.
Each crop block was split down the middle with an electric fence and sheep were allowed to graze one half, but not the other.
We were concerned we had been too hard on the winter barley and it would have a detrimental impact on the crop
Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies are having a major impact on management of intensive systems and recent webinars suggest they can have a similar impact on more extensive systems. A series of webinars delivered jointly by BSAS Global and partners explored pathways to exploitation of PLF to the benefits of extensive ruminant producers, but also the entire supply chain. Dr Claire Morgan-Davies from Scotland’s Rural College says that with many extensive grazing systems being in Less Favoured Areas, it will be important to factor in the effect on biodiversity when assessing the role of PLF, but believes the techniques can help farmers address several key challenges.