Oliver Seeds is holding a grass seeds mixtures planning workshop on Tuesday 28 July 2015, at Hailes Farm, Didbrook in Gloucestershire, from 10.30 to 2.30pm.
 
Part of the Oliver Seeds Forage School initiative, the aim of the workshop is to help dairy, beef or sheep farmers buy the right type of grass mixtures for their enterprises, which are suited to their fields and local climate.
 
“There are so many different species, varieties and mixtures available that it can be difficult to know which one is best,” says Rod Bonshor, general manager for Oliver Seeds. “We intend to take some of the mystery out of buying grass seeds.”
 
The workshop will include a visit to a field where a comprehensive range of different grass mixtures are growing side by side – from short-term cutting leys to long term grazing mixtures, and everything in between. Looking at the grasses growing together will give farmers a real feel for how they might work together on their farm.
 
“There is a lot of information around on the many different individual varieties,” says Mr. Bonshor.
 
“However, in this country farmers rarely grow one type of grass on its own – they grow mixtures. How these are put together really makes a difference as to how they will perform.”
 
The workshop is free but numbers are limited, as after lunch the team will work with each participant to draw up an ideal grass seeds mixture for one of their fields or particular situation.
 
“The aim is for everyone to go home with a grass seeds recipe that is appropriate for their needs and the conditions they face on the farm. This way they will be able to capitalise on the good work done by the breeders to produce high yielding, digestible and nutritious grasses, and can produce more meat or milk from forage.”
 
To book a place call 01522 706500 or email rod.bonshor@oliver-seeds.co.uk by 14 July, 2015.