51AVÊÓƵ

For Ian Horsely, what happens below ground on his 56-hectare (140-acre) unit near Bromyard, Worcestershire, is key to his farming future, and utterly dependent on the way he farms.

Livestock farmers are being challenged to obtain one tonne more of utilised dry matter from grass this year, as latest figures highlight improved pasture in Great Britain could be under- performing by about 4tonne DM/ha (1.6t

Extreme winter weather has left a legacy of catch up jobs, and managing existing grassland and assessing which fields need to be reseeded is among them.

RESEARCH by Zinpro shows supplementing the diet with zinc could help to reduce inflammation in dairy cows during the transition period and even increase milk yield.

A partnership has been launched between Moredun and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) to tackle the problem of louping ill, an often fatal tick-borne virus, to which sheep and red grouse are particularly suscept

Agricultural supply networks say they have seen no evidence of stockpiling amid the Covid-19 panic, despite anecdotal reports.

With 40 per cent of food eaten out of the home in the UK, the Government’s decision to close pubs and restaurants will have a major impact on demand.

Lockerbie Abattoir has suspended its slaughter services with immediate effect due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Government has committed extra research and development spending, while farmers are being urged to explore the tax benefits of bringing more innovation to their businesses.

With all of the wild weather, March appeared to enter like a pride of ferocious roaring lions, but as I write it appears to be changing into something that resembles a lamb. Let’s hope it stays that way for a while.