|
Winter Housing and
Feeding
Slade
and Pitcot Farms, Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan 5th
November 2003 |
|
| The second event on one of the new OCW Demonstration Farms
was held at Pitcot Farm, Southerndown, South Glamorgan on the 5th
November, when Peter Davies hosted an open day featuring his winter
housing and feeding. About 25 farmers attended this excellent event led by
Bryan Evans and Heather McCalman of IGER, and took part in comparisons of
silage samples from Pitcot and other organic and conventional farms in the
area, which had previously been analysed. The samples were well handled
and balancing them with suitable rations for finishing cattle stimulated
some interesting discussion.. There was a great deal of interest in the
lucerne which Peter grew this year, many considering it as alternative to
red clover to supply high protein forage for livestock come 2005. However
it was noted that lucerne does need alkaline free draining soil to yield
well.… |
 Above: The new sheds
|
|
Peter Davies' cross bred Angus cattle had just been housed for the open
day in the old cattle sheds and those ready for market at the end of the
year were looking in prime condition. We look forward to discussing
weights and carcass quality of this year's crop as the cattle breed type
moves over to Angus from bigger continental cattle. It is important to the
system that the cattle can grow well on the 'traditional fattening
pastures' that are part of the farm's Tir Gofal agreements as well as
finish on the quality conserved forage on the farm. The new cattle sheds
at Slade have very recently been erected with a grant from Farming Connect
and Peter explained the various modifications he had adopted, including a
large area which can potentially be used for composting manure.
|
|
Our thanks go Peter and Ros and their farm staff, Richard and Peter, for all
the work that went into the organisation and preparation of this event, and also
to Bryan Evans and Heather McCalman of IGER (01970 823 026). Rhys Davies, the FC
Facilitator for the area, can be contacted on 01656 302 654 and Graham Perkins
and Joss Williams of the West Wales Machinery Ring on 0800 7831 489.
Future events at Slade and Pitcot farms next year will include
Homoeopathy and Animal Health Plans, recent grass and clover breeding
developments at IGER, and spring cereal production. If there is a topic that you
would like to see explored at a demo farm open day near you please get in touch
with Carolyn Wacher
Report by Carolyn Wacher
For details of other farm events see our events
page or contact the organic helpline on 01970 622100.
|
