SIP demonstrations at Henfaes

The SIP demonstrations at Henfaes aim to increase grassland productivity through optimised soil, nutrient and grazing management

• Better utilisation of grass as the base of lamb production systems
• Enabling cost-benefits to be determined for both low- and high-input approaches to the sustainable intensification of upland and lowland pasture systems

Field-scale paddocks (in upland ‘ffridd’ and lowland fields) have been subject to the following treatments:

• +/- nutrient and lime inputs
• +/- optimised grazing (rotational grazing or set-stocking)
• +/- re-seeding with high-sugar grass & clover
• Control (‘business as usual’ management)

Early observations

Fine spatial analyses showed significant variation in soil quality (P and K indices, pH and compaction). Preliminary results suggest that:

• Grass quantity and quality is better on improved and rotationally grazed plots
• Stocking densities on the rotationally grazed ley are 1.5-2 times that of the set-stocked

Early indications are that there is significant capacity to increase output per hectare with little or no extra fertiliser input.