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Livestock - Grasstrac Booklet - 11

“I use Grasstrac because I need to put back trace elements back into the land”
Malcolm Gribble - Devon

Farm Profile
Malcolm Gribble’s 425-acre, all-grass farm lies at 600 to 700 feet. The top ground is free-draining, but the bottom is fairly heavy clay. It is predominantly a dairy farm with beef and sheep as well.

The Stock
180 Holstein Friesians yield almost 7000 litres from 2 tonnes of concentrates. Calving is all-year-round and turn-out is around the 20th April. Both set-stocking and strip-grazing are used to get the most out of the long-term leys and permanent grass. Beef is produced from the dairy cows and 300 ewes are run. All replacement heifers are bought-in.



The Problem
Malcolm was experiencing problems which he felt were a result of trace elements in the soil being depleted over the years. He decided they needed to be replenished.

The Grasstrac Experience
He has spread Grasstrac on 50 acres of milking and dry cow grazing for the last 10 years. Application at turnout time is along with fertiliser. Malcolm says that grazing efficiency is high and he is well satisfied with the performance of his dairy herd. He reckons the lambs have done better too. He no longer has the chore of drenching the sheep with cobalt and selenium drenches which he says was necessary before he started using Grasstrac.