Book now for Grass Matters conference

A free conference in Dingwall aims to give farmers and crofters an unprecedented, practical insight into getting the most from their grassland.

The 'Grass Matters' conference is being held by Soil Association Scotland on Friday 2 December. The event is a chance to hear from grassland management experts from across the UK.

Topics to be discussed inlcude:

• Are your leys letting you down?
• Is it time to reseed?
• What’s your objective when growing grass?
• What varieties and species to sow and why?

There will also be chance to bring along a divot of your own to get expert insight on the grass on your own farm.

Expert speakers at the event will include Charlie Morgan (the ‘GrassMaster’), Chris Duller (soil and grassland management specialist); and Duncan McEwan (Arnprior Farm, Stirlingshire). Places for farmers, crofters and land managers are free.

Charlie Morgan, grassland consultant and Secretary of the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies, said:

"I’m really looking forward to being up in Scotland for this event. Getting the most from your grass is such a huge part of success for any livestock farm, and there’s a great deal you can do to optimise production whatever your farming system, even in tough conditions. The trick is being clear what you want to achieve, and using that to underpin every decision you make, from tackling the fundamental underlying issues to getting the right seed mix.

"We’ll be taking a good look at all the key components, and even getting our hands dirty: examining divots from farms from across the country and talking through how to spot issues and how to deal with them. If you can only make one farming event this winter, I’d say make it this one."

The event is open to all but booking is essential as places are limited. The event is free for farmers and land managers, and others can attend for a cost of £40 + VAT.

Book online at www.soilassociation.org/grassmatters, call Jane on 0131 666 2474, or email jdingwall@soilassociation.org.

Updates from the event will be tweeted from @SoilAssocScot, so if you're on Twitter, stay up to date or tweet your questions for the experts, using the #GrassMatters tag.

Funding for this activity is made available through the SRDP Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Fund (which is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the European Union), with partner funding from Quality Meat Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Innovative Farmers and The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Foundation.