Lancashire monitor farms open for discussion

Thursday 01 October 2009

TWO Lancashire farming families are inviting local dairy, beef and sheep producers to hear the areas of performance they plan to improve on over the next three-years through participation in the Northwest Livestock Programme.

With a view to benefiting farming in the region as a whole, farmers will be asked to join business groups attached to each farm where relevant performance issues, with access to specialist expertise and support, will be discussed.

The following two meetings have been arranged to explain the concept of monitor farms and encourage local farmers throughout the region to join in and add value to their own businesses.

The Hartley Family at Mason House Farm, Bashall Eaves, near Clitheroe, will be hosting the Dairy Monitor Farm launch on Wednesday, October 7^th where a farm walk will include talks on breeding (Genus), benchmarking (DairyCo), herd health management (Myerscough Vets), Feeding the Modern Dairy Cow (Nutritionists Graham Surtees Associates) and Grassland Management (Promar).

And the Sanderson Family at Lower Highfield Farm, Halton, near Lancaster, will be hosting the Beef and Sheep Monitor Farm launch on Thursday, October 15^th.

Advice on liver fluke control in beef and sheep (Lanes Vets), incoming EID regulations (explained by Shearwell), and the benefits of improving grassland to lower feed costs and increase profit (Helen Mathieu of British Seedhouses) will feature on the tour of their farm.

Both launch events are 10-30 am to 2 pm. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

To book a place please contact James Hadwin or Robert Burrow at Myerscough College on 01995 642 206 or e-mail livestocknw@myerscough.ac.uk