At the hub of the EBLEX, DairyCo
and British Grassland Society (BGS)
stand was The Forage Café, a place for visitors to take the weight off their
feet after browsing the 190-acre
event, and chat to a range of experts over a complimentary drink.
Dr Liz Genever, one of the representatives on the stand,
said that many visitors who called in for a brew and a well-earned rest were
keen to find out more about the role of EBLEX, with many surprised to learn the
extent of the work done on the levy pound.
Other visitors made a beeline for the five interactive demonstrations on the stand, which offered information and advice on growing lucerne, using a plate meter to get the best out of livestock, analysing soil compaction, recommended grass and clover varieties and forthcoming changes to pesticide regulations.
Other visitors made a beeline for the five interactive demonstrations on the stand, which offered information and advice on growing lucerne, using a plate meter to get the best out of livestock, analysing soil compaction, recommended grass and clover varieties and forthcoming changes to pesticide regulations.
Dr Paul Hargreaves, from Scotland’s Rural College, demonstrated
ways to identify soil compaction. He
said that a large number of people were keen to talk to him about how the heavy
rainfall over the last two years has impacted their land, with many taking away
tips on how to analyse their soil and respond to the findings accordingly.
Grassland and Muck wasn’t the only event taking place last
week, with Beef Expo also on in Hexham.
This was another fantastic opportunity for the EBLEX team to meet and
chat with farmers from all over the country, and there was particular interest
in Graymar Irresistible, a heifer that was painted to
show where different beef cuts come from.
The innovative idea helped the EBLEX team to win a highly commended
award for their indoor trade stand. Congratulations to all involved!
If you couldn’t make it to Grassland & Muck this year, or if you did go and missed the EBLEX stand, then why not check out the short videos from each of the demonstrations on the EBLEX YouTube channel? In the below video, Liz talks about lucerne.
Such was the positive response to the set-up of the stand at
Grassland and Muck 2014 that plans are already being made to replicate it at
Grassland UK 2015, which is held at The Royal Bath & West Showground in
May. If you’re there, call in to The Forage Café. The EBLEX team is eager to
meet you!