Sheep Forage crops help
optimise output • Grassland and arable cover crops • Close focus on forage management • Soil health and fertility maintained
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Nottinghamshire sheep pro- ducer believes the future of his enterprise is about optimising output from an integrated mix of grass- land and arable cover crops in a sus- tainable, regenerative system. Fred Love, who farms at Retford,
says meticulous forage management combined with Innovis genetics are en- abling lambs from his 1300-ewe fl ock to take 170-200 days to fi nish with a target weight of 19-20kg and grade R3L or better.
The entire lamb crop is fi nished off forage within nine months and by the end of year – but the fl ock still manag- es to scan 170%, with a reared lambing
percentage of 147% and output stand- ing at 250kg/ha.
Maximum forage “It’s all about maximising forage – both grazed grass and fodder crops, which are not only the cheapest form of feed, but also maintaining soil health and fertility,” says Mr Love, a fi rst gener- ation farmer. “There’s a lot being talked about regenerative farming, however that’s what I’m already working on; I fi rm- ly believe that sheep and arable – two specialist complementary enterprises working together are for real for the future.”
At fi rst, Mr Love stocked tradition- al Mule ewes at 10 ewes/ha, reaching a mature weight of almost 80kgs. But since swapping for lighter Innovis ge- netics – Aberfi eld crosses and High- lander maturing at 65-70kg, he has in- creased to 13.5 ewes/ha on heavy clay. “Nowadays I’m able to lamb these hardy ewes outdoors,” says Mr Love. “I check two or three time a day, as few as 5% require any form of inter- vention and 90% lamb within the fi rst three weeks.
Perfect fit
“I’m farming sheep that look after themselves. Up to 50% of lambs are fi nished off rotational grazing with- in fi ve months, whilst the remainder are transferred to forage crops grown on neighbouring units.
Cover crops work out 30-40% cheap- er in dry matter terms compared with silage, and ewes remain on these for- age crops until March. The surround- ing land is a mixture of arable and mid- tier Countryside Stewardship. “The sheep fi t perfectly,” says Mr
Love.
“There’s also the bonus of being able to run one ram to 100 ewes, and I’m ex-
Maximising forage has achieved good results, says Fred Love
To find us, search: Meadow Quality 01789 734100 36 MIDLAND FARMER • JULY 2021
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