Topical seminars tackling a wide range of forage and muck issues to help producers secure better livestock margins will prove a popular draw at Grassland & Muck 2011, which takes place on 18th and 19th May at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

The programme, sponsored by livestock feeding systems specialist Keenan, also includes a headline debate on the first day to consider what the next decade holds for UK livestock production.

The six seminars will run on both days on stand 300, featuring a range of expert speakers providing concise, up-to-the-minute advice across a range of livestock production issues, namely:

· Importance of measuring grazing

· Economics and practicalities of contracting out

· Buffer feeds at grazing

· Forage harvester technology to maximise silage quality

· Reseeding - when, what with and how to manage new leys

· Making more of muck

“Grass is the core component of most ruminant rations in the UK so it is fundamental to production performance and margins,” says Keenan's Max Ford. “At Keenan UK we feel that there is much more that can be achieved by understanding the digestibility of grazed and ensiled grass.

"We will be using our sponsorship of the seminars to discuss the latest thinking in the 'eatability' of grass, the economic benefits of a perfectly combined total mixed ration (TMR) and using feed conversion efficiency as a management tool to deliver additional margin in volatile times.”

The hour-long headline debate, Future-proofing UK livestock production, will assess the challenges and opportunities for the livestock sector over the next decade and beyond, and features an impressive panel.

This includes EBLEX board member Mike Powley, whose farm is ASDA’s Beef Training and Educational Farm, and policy and market expert Richard King of farm management consultant Andersons. Dr Jonathan Scurlock is the NFU’s chief adviser for Renewable Energy and Climate Change, Mark Tucker is Yara UK’s head of agronomy, and Dick Sibley is principal of West Ridge Veterinary Practice whose 13 vets look after livestock health across mid Devon.

“Anyone who is serious about a future in livestock production will need to address a whole series of economic, political and technical challenges over the next few years,” says RASE event manager Kate Rider. “But there will also be opportunities for those who prepare, so if this debate encourages both dairy and livestock farmers to start future-proofing their business, then it will have done its job.”

Grassland & Muck 2011 is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England and partnered by Yara.

Tickets can be booked via the website for £13 for a standard adult ticket, a £3 saving on the gate price. Student tickets, priced £12, are only available online.

For further details on tickets and the event, go to http://www.grasslandevent.co.uk