NSA CENTRAL REGION  

COMMITTEE MEETING, TUESDAY 29th. JUNE, 2010 AT THE SIR WILLIAM, GRINDLEFORD, DERBYSHIRE, S32 2HS @ 7.30 p.m. 

Agenda

1. Apologies.
2. To give feed-back on issues discussed at the last Exec. Meeting, Council Meeting and AGM, including

•                             Wool renaissance                     
•                             Carbon footprint for the sheep industry
•                             EID –continuing problems identified                           
•                             Bluetongue                           
•                            New Govt. priorities
• Planning for Central Region’s winter fair at Bakewell Market in January, 2011.
• Sheep 2010 @ Malvern, 3rd. August, 2010. 
• Feed-back on the Conference on Sustainable Uplands – Kath and Neil.
• Any issues from the region.
• Any Other Business

Better Returns from Improving Ewe Fertility and Grassland Management

 Thornton Abbey Farm, Ulceby, North Lincolnshire, DN39 6TUCourtesy of John Farrow Thursday 1st July 2010    6.00pm – 9.00pm  Join EBLEX at this FREE meeting to learn about improving ewe fertilityleading to an increased number of lambs born.  A renowned grassland expert will also discuss how to improve grassland management. 

Programme

7.00pm           Introduction – Steve Powdrill (EBLEX Regional Manager)

 7.15pm           Grassland Management – Charlie Morgan, Grassmaster (formerly of IBERS) 

8.00pm           Improving Ewe Fertility – Andrew Schofield (Minster Vets) 

8.45pm           Questions and light supper.

  To register your FREE place please ring Hellen or Sandra at

 EBLEXon 0870 609 1840 / 01904 771211 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

FARM SUMMARY

 The flock at Thornton Abbey was converted to organic status 10 years ago.  It is currently a flock of 540 commercial ewes.  Lambing is divided: 70 ewes lambing indoors in late January, then turned out on a feeding mixture of fodder beet, kale, turnips, and lamb creep fed on home grown cereal ration.  The rest are scanned so the singles and triplets can be lambed inside for potential fostering, with the twins lambing outside nearby.  After mothering up is completed they go out onto clover leys.

The grazing is split with 80 acres of permanent pasture used for over-wintering and weaning and also growing on ewe lambs. The main ewe and lamb grazing is 85 acres of highly productive organic clover leys, left down for 4 years.  This is made up of Timothy, Cocksfoot, Fescue, Red & White Clover, with only a small amount of LP ryegrass.  This gives good spring growth and copes well with summer dry periods.

Lambing percentage in 2010 was 168%.  All lambs are finished on clover leys or fodder turnips. 

President's Suite, Newark Showground, Lincoln Rd, Winthorpe, Newark, NG24 2NY 

Tuesday 11th May 2010    6.30pm – 8.30pm  

Join EBLEX at this FREE meeting to discuss the grazing season.  A renowned grassland expert will discuss options for grazing and what to consider when planning silage.  

Programme

7.00pm           Introduction – Michael Richardson (EBLEX Regional Manager)

8.15pm           Questions and close

Hill Top Farm, Ashover, Chesterfield, S45 0BZ

Courtesy of Edward and Paul Willmot 
Wednesday 12th May 2010    6.00pm – 8.30pm  

Join EBLEX at this FREE meeting to discuss the grazing season.  A renowned grassland expert will discuss options for grazing and what to consider when planning silage.  

This meeting replaces the earlier “Better Returns from a Healthy Grazing Season” on 14th April at Ashover Village Hall.

Programme

6.15pm           Introduction – Michael Richardson (EBLEX Regional Manager)
                       and Edward Willmot

7.15pm           Farm Walk with Charlie and Edward

8.15pm           Questions and close

Tuesday 20th April 2010 1.00pm – 4.30pm

Totley Hall Farm, Totley Hall Lane, Totley, Sheffield, S17 4AA

Courtesy of Edwin Pocock

Join EBLEX, in conjunction with the Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset Sheep Breeders’ Association, and discover how the characteristics of these breeds work towards ensuring a profitable flock.  There will be discussions on how to select the best ram for your flock, using EBVS, and ram fertility and longevity.

Sam Boon from Signet will be discussing - Selecting the most profitable Poll Dorset/Dorset Horn ram for your flock and giving a practical demonstration using EBVs

To register for your FREE place at one of the above events ring

Hellen or Sandra on 0870 609 1840 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

EBLEX Winter Silage and Costings Meeting

Thursday 4th March 2010, 7.00 – 9.30pm Bakewell Market, The Agriculture Centre, Bakewell, DE45 1DR 

Join EBLEX and discover how to make better silage. Simple techniques will improve quality, reducing your bought-in feed costs next winter. A renowned grassland expert will discuss this and delegates are invited to bring along silage samples for assessment on the evening. In addition, an AHDB economist will present an interactive “What If?” costings session.  

Programme
7.00pm           Arrival and refreshments including a light supper 
7.30pm           Introduction – Michael Richardson, EBLEX Regional Manager 
7.45pm           Best practice for silage making – Charlie Morgan (formerly of IBERS) 
8.30pm           Split into two rotating workshops: 

                       1. What-if? Workshop – Mark Topliff, AHDB Economist 
                       What makes the key difference to your business? Bring
                       some information along for us to discuss.

                      2. Silage assessment – Charlie Morgan 

9.30pm         Questions and close

EBLEX Winter Silage and Costings Meeting

Wednesday 17th February 2010,

7.00 – 9.30pm Cromwell Suite, Three Swans, Market Harborough, LE16 7NJ 

Join EBLEX and discover how to make better silage. Simple techniques will improve quality, reducing your bought-in feed costs next winter. A renowned grassland expert will discuss this and delegates are invited to bring along silage samples for assessment on the evening. In addition, an AHDB economist will present an interactive “What If?” costings session.  

Programme

7.00pm           Arrival and refreshments including a light supper 
7.30pm           Introduction – Dr Liz Genever, EBLEX Scientist and
                      Michael Richardson, EBLEX Regional Manager 
7.45pm           Best practice for silage making – Charlie Morgan (formerly of IBERS) 
8.30pm           Split into two rotating workshops: 

                     1. What-if? Workshop – Mark Topliff, AHDB Economist 
                     What makes the key difference to your business? Bring some 
                     information along for us to discuss.

                     2. Silage assessment – Charlie Morgan 

9.30pm           Questions and close

Bakewell Market, The Agricultural Business Centre, Bakewell, DE45 1AH
Tuesday, 2nd February 2010
5.45pm – 9.00pm(registration between 5.45pm and 6.30pm with hot beef rolls & refreshments)

The EBLEX Board invites you to attend an Open Meeting for levy payers at Bakewell Market.