Farmers are focusing more than ever on getting the most from forage, and the Grassland & Muck event is seeking farmers’ views on how they manage their pasture. In return, a lucky six respondents will win a pair of tickets to this year’s Grassland & Muck Event, which will be held at Stoneleigh from 24 to 25 May.

The last time the event ran this survey, in 2011, there were some surprising results, with 37% of respondents admitting that they calculated the nutrient content of their manure or slurry through personal assumption; far more than those using laboratory analysis, RB209 or computer software.

An impressive number of farmers calibrated their fertiliser spreader at least once a year, with 73% soil testing their grassland and 57% reseeding leys every 3-6 years. The survey also covered grass seed choice, contractor usage, and reasons behind reseeding.

“It’s interesting that the recent downturn in commodity prices has encouraged many farmers to cut costs and improve efficiencies by making the most of their cheapest feed: Grass,” says Alice Bell, head of technical events at Grandstand Stoneleigh Events.  “It will be fascinating to compare the results of the new survey with those from 2011, and from that we can hopefully learn some lessons about how to manage grassland more effectively, which is really one of the key drivers of the whole Grassland & Muck event.”

To fill in the survey and enter the competition to win tickets to this year’s Grassland & Muck event click here.

• Tickets for Grassland & Muck 2017 will be on sale from early March. For more information visit www.grasslandevent.co.uk or contact 02476 858 284.