NVZ'S ON AGENDA FOR GRASSLAND OPEN DAY

Posted 25 March 2002

THE HOT TOPIC of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, Spring Grazing Management and New Developments in Grasses and Clovers will be on the agenda at a Grassland Open Day being held in Shropshire next month.

The Practice into Profit Open Demonstration Day titled "Profitable Milk from Grazed Grass" will take place at Harper Adams University College, near Newport, from 10am onward on Wednesday, April 24, 2002.

The day, which is free to all that attend, will feature a farm walk around the Harper Adams farm, lunchtime demonstrations and a farmers' forum. Refreshments will also be provided.

During the farm walk Tom Phillips, an Australian Dairy Consultant, will talk to visitors about Spring Grazing Management while John Owen, of Gelli Aur, Carmarthen, will discuss Infrastructure and Accessibility on the farm.

Other talks during the walk will be given by Rhys Davies, of Harper Adams University College, and by Llinos Jones and Mike Abberton, of IGER Aberystwyth. They will give visitors advice on Sward Establishment and New Developments in Grasses and Clovers respectively.

During the lunchtime demonstration, Gillian Young of ADAS and Paul Lewis, from Harper Adams, will be explaining Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in light of recent revelations that the majority of the UK will be declared an NVZ next December.

The event will also feature a farmers' forum, led by local dairy farmer Roly Taverner and Harper Adams Farm Manager Scott Kirby, on Farm Budgeting.

The Grassland Open Day is sponsored by British Seed Houses, Barclays Bank, DEFRA, MDC and MLC.

If you would like to attend, please help Harper Adams plan the catering by calling +44 (0) 1952 820 280 to let organisers know how many people will be in your party.

(Ends)

Notes to Editors:

Members of the press are welcome to attend. If you wish to be present on the day, please call Harper Adams and ask to speak to the organiser Dr Jim Huntington, or to Nick Barnes, Press & Publications Officer.

For further information or an interview concerning the Grassland Open Day, please contact Dr Jim Huntington on +44 (0) 1952 815 211 or E-mail: jhuntington@harper-adams.ac.uk