Macra na Feirme and Forage Systems Launch ‘Know Your Grass Silage Quality’ Competition
Information Meetings are taking place this week, read the following article for further information
Download your Application form here
Following on from the successful ‘Production from Forage’ competition run by Macra and Forage Systems in 2009, the 2010 competition has a new challenge for young farmers ‘Can you make good grass silage?’
Macra na Feirme and Forage Systems see the need for a competition to assess the quality of silage made in Ireland. Grass silage production is an integral part of livestock farming, but it is also a costly process, so it’s important that young farmers are equipped with the best information to produce a feed product that best matches the requirements of their livestock systems. Forage Systems has seen the quality of silage fall in the last 5 years. This competition will highlight the reasons why and how they can be addressed.
Three regional meetings will take place during the week of the 19th of April. These meetings will present last year’s samples and focus on how young farmers can improve their grass silage, which will add to on farm profitability. Advice and guidance will also be provided by a guest speaker from Biotal, one of the UK’s leading animal nutrition companies and speakers from the Irish Farmers Journal and Forage Systems.
The prize up for grabs this year is a hi tech package including the revolutionary iPAD along with the latest Agri applications. The closing date for receipt of entries is August 6th. Forms can be downloaded from www.macra.ie, from your local Macra na Feirme training and development officer and from Forage Systems staff.
Speaking at the launch of the competition Michael Gowing, Macra na Feirme, National President said ‘“it is once again fantastic to partner with Forage Systems, this competition allows our young farming entrepreneurs to become involved in something which is interesting and profitable to them. The competition also serves to highlight the benefits of grass silage and assist farmers to produce silage of the highest standard. Young farmers are very aware that producing the best quality grass silage on farm is essential to on farm performance and profitability. This competition will facilitate young farmers to develop and hone their grass management and silage making skills based on the results and outcomes of the young farmers experience in last year’s competition”.
Managing Director of Forage Systems, Jim Buckley expressed his delight in sponsoring the competition again this year. “It has become evident to us especially through working with Macra over the past few years that making good silage is not as straight forward as farmers are led to believe. With our expertise in the growing, feeding and preserving of home grown forage we have a integral role to play in helping young farmers produce top quality silage despite challenging conditions”.
The winner of the 2009 competition Brian Reidy from Tubbercurry in Sligo says “winning this competition really made me focus on my forage and having the most productive fodder I could have; it’s had a positive knock on effect on my farm this year”
As part of the competition the farmer (who must be a Macra member and must be involved in the decision making of the crop sampled) will be asked to submit a sample of his main forage on farm, e.g. silage. This will then be assessed. The closing date for applications is 6th August 2010. Application forms and sample bags are available from the Macra National office in Dublin.
For more information please contact Derry Dillon in Macra na Feirme national office on 01 4268904.
Regional meetings will take place in
Monday 19th April: Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon 8.00pm – Justin McCarthy Irish Farmers Journal (IFJ)
Tuesday 20th April: Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown 8.00pm – Jack Kennedy IFJ
Wed 21st April: Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix 8.00pm – Peter Young IFJ
Biotal
Biotal is one of the UK's leading animal nutrition companies specialising in the development of forage and animal nutrition products based upon microbial and enzyme technologies. Biotal market a range of crop specific forage additives which contain unique bacteria and enzymes to improve fermentation, aerobic stability and increase forage digestibility
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