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Livestock - Grasstrac Booklet - 10

“Grasstrac is a very convenient way to get trace elements back into the grass”
Shirley and Thomas Sims - Derbyshire

Farm Profile
This 350-acre farm is 400 ft above sea level with 280 acres down to permanent grass. The River Amber runs through the land creating a flood plain of fertile soil except that it cannot provide adequate copper.

The Stock
Pedigree bulls – 2 Belgian Blue, 2 Limousin and a Charolais are run with 40 cows each, out of a 200-cow suckler herd of the same continental breeds. Heifer calves are reared as replacements and the bulls are finished entire at 12 to 15 months.

The Problem
There was a copper deficiency on the farm which had to be corrected.

The Grasstrac Experience
Grasstrac has been used for four years to enrich 200-250 acres of grazing and silage ground. Shirley says that since using it the cattle look better and graze the grass more evenly without leaving tufts. The calves are much stronger and fitter.

“Grasstrac is a very convenient method of getting the trace elements back into the soil and into the grass,” says Shirley. “The bulls grow extremely well on a ration of Grasstrac treated silage, a 50-50 mix of wheat and barley, sugar beet nuts and a liquid protein supplement. The last 5 bulls through Derby Auction Mart averaged 597kg LW at 114.8 p/kg LW at 432 days old.”