NFU Scotland

would have been grazed away and this was then followed by a period of no rain and subsequently, little to no grass growth,” says Mr Hedley-Lawrence.

“In comparison, the AMP grazing system aims to graze no more than 25% of what’s on offer during the spring, 50% in the summer and 75% in the winter, before moving cattle on,” he explains.

“This means that during the spring the pasture barely notices it’s been grazed and the annual grass growth curve is not negatively impacted right from the start of the growing season.

“For example, we had very little rain between June and September. But, because we leave a lot of grass behind, what’s left has carried on photosynthesising. The roots have also managed to access retained moisture in the top layers of the soil due to the insulating and cooling effect of the longer residual.”

As well as stimulating grass growth, this system of grazing enables farmers to trap more moisture when it does rain, adds Mr Hedley-Lawrence.

“In more standard grazing management systems, where pastures were left looking more like a golf course during the summer, rainfall would have been relatively ineffective, due to most of it evaporating off the bare and hot ground, or running off into watercourses due to the hard baked soil.”

He adds: “But in our fields because we’re leaving half of the grass behind, it’s a dense mat with deeper root structures. This means when we do get any moisture, we’ve been able to hold onto most of it as the residual stops evaporation, and maintains soil structure and temperature to aid with infiltration rates.”

The resilience of the AMP grazing system is also evident in cattle growth rates, says Mr Hedley-Lawrence.

FARMING SCOTLAND MAGAZINE Next issue out January 2023

From a Scottish farming perspective, the UK Government signed up to a one-sided post-Brexit trade deal with New Zealand that offered little gain for us but plenty for farmers there writes NFU Scotland Vice President Robin Traquair. That made a meeting between NFU Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland and Beef & Lamb New Zealand (B&LNZ) on a Borders farm NFU Scotland earlier this year an intriguing prospect.

The team included Andrew Morrison, Chair of B&LNZ who farms on the South Island with his wife Lisa and farms 1030 hectares of breeding and finishing units spread between Southland and Otago.

Upon being elected, Morrison is keen to advocate the strength of the global red meat sector in an everdemanding protein market alongside encouraging a competitive advantage in the production of natural grassfed hormone and antibiotic free sheep and beef.

The party also included staff members whose job it is to establish contacts to open

Challenging times ahead By Robin Traquair up trade for NZ beef and kind permission of Richard lamb in the UK and Europe. Callander. We were shown That is a job that will have around by livestock manager, one eye on the increased Owen Gray. With a flock of market access NZ will gain 1,500 Romney and Aberfield over time to the UK market. genetic ewes. Easy lambing As we approached and carcase quality are at the Robert Neill’s Upper Nisbet forefront of Gray’s team. New farm in the Scottish Borders, fencing had been installed to the countryside was in facilitate block grazing with full bloom and the crops laneways to ease handling. and livestock were looking The timing of this visit fantastic with the expectancy sat well given the UK of good yields ahead. Government’s increasing As we got out the cars, appetite for Global Free Andrew Morrison looked Trade Agreements. upon the beautiful landscape Personally, I have no with a wry smile and asked doubt that by the end of ‘why do you guys need this tumultuous and historic subsidies?’. (for all the wrong reasons) That prompted a frank Parliament, we shall have discussion on the differences many more Free Trade in production systems Agreements with the likes between our two countries. of Canada and India on the Income support given to horizon. farmers in Scotland benefits We will be challenged by not only the farmer, but the imports from the likes of New wider agri-food industry and Zealand, but there are also countryside. Our current opportunities to learn from system is designed to be a our competitors where we socio-economic boost to can face them head on in the the rural community, and this global market. will carry on in our relentless As Andrew Morrison lobbying of Westminster and said, ‘the red meat sector Holyrood. is stronger if we are able to Following this, we work with others so effective visited Saughland Farm by collaboration is vital.’

livestock

Elanco launches new addition to Hemicell™ range

Elanco Animal Health has launched Hemicell™ XT, a new nutrient-sparing enzyme, to its range for pig and poultry producers.

This gut-health enhancing supplement supports nutrient uptake and has the potential to reduce overall feed costs due to the improved utilisation of dietary energy.

Agustina Rodriguez, Elanco technical nutritionist consultant, explains that while there is a temptation to remove the number of ingredients in rations to save costs, it can be false economy in the long-term.

Most plant-based raw materials contain ß-mannans, undigestible fibres that monogastric livestock cannot breakdown. When ß-mannans are found in a ration, energy that should be used for growth, is diverted towards a Feed-Induced Immune Response (FIIR), impairing bird performance potential.

Hemicell™ XT offers a solution and advanced formulation compared to existing market options. “The energy-sparing enzyme performs in the same way as Hemicell™ HT,” says Ms Rodriguez. “But it contains an upgraded carrier that is proven to further enhance diet quality.”

“This change to the formulation allows for improved flowability and mixing within a ration. It results in a larger, more uniform particle size, offering greater uniformity and reduced dust during application.

Hemicell™ XT also has an enzyme concentration 2.25 times higher than the original Hemicell™ HT formulation. This accommodates a wide range of application methods, including within complete feeds, premix and speciality mixes.

“In the current climate, the use of Hemicell™ HT in premixed ration formulations is less convenient. But the increased concentration and therefore lower dose of Hemicell™ XT means it takes up half the storage and transportation space as the original Hemicell™ HT formulation, increasing the flexibility” concludes Ms Rodriguez.

Take an EvidenceBased Approach to Parasite Control in Cattle at Housin

Suppliers of Fencing and Decking We also stock Creosote Round Fence Posts and Stainers

by Gargunnock, Stirling FK8 3BG 01786 860205

Beef and dairy farmers should consider using diagnostic tests and past worm history in the runup to housing cattle to assess the parasite risk on their farm and plan a treatment strategy.

Leading vet Andrew Biggs from the Vale Vet Group, Devon, says farmers need to move away from the formulaic way of worming by the calendar through the grazing season. Instead, they should take an evidence-based approach using diagnostic tests at strategic times to assess risk, disease status and the need for treatment.

Mr Biggs said: “Over the years, there have been a lot of wasted treatments which have cost the farmer and added pressure to resistance selection.”

The four main parasites to be aware of that pose a risk to cattle are: • Gutworms, particularly

Ostertagia