Friesians, sainfoin & sharing knowledge
10 February 2016
- In our first Agricology video blog Richard Smith, the Steering Group Chairman, introduces us to the dairy herd he manages at Daylesford Organic Farm.
- The 120 pedigree Friesians are the result of a 10 year breeding programme moving away from the original herd of Holsteins.
- The objective was to achieve a more sustainable, low input, stress free herd fed on minimal bought-in protein with the majority of feed coming from home-grown forage.
- Richard’s favourite forage crop for the organic system he farms is sainfoin. It is high yielding, producing 22% protein and ME of 13.5% which compares well with rye grass.
- Future blogs will explore the establishment and cropping of sainfoin.
- Last month Richard spoke at the SOLID conference, where ideas were shared on low input dairy systems.
- Later this month we will be posting a blog from Alastair Leake of the Allerton Project, who looks at the management of rainwater runoff in farming practices to alleviate risks of flooding.
- There is also a blog from Beth Cullen, who explains how to navigate Agricology.
