Fact - Copper availability

The soil on many farms contains high levels of molybdenum, iron and sulphur, which ultimately can reduce the amount of copper available to the animal. An application of Grasstrac increases copper levels in grazed grass and conserved forage, but more importantly it is held within the plant structure in a chelated form. With grass enriched in this way, cattle and sheep take in available and essential copper little and often.

Fact - The real cost of trace element deficiencies

The cost in lost production per cow caused by common ailments related to trace element deficiencies has been calculated by the Reading University DAISY Information Service. It is estimated that income loss due to disease and poor fertility costs the dairy farmer around £150 per cow every year.

Fact - Grasstrac increases daily liveweight gain

Trials carried out over many years have shown that stock grazing pasture treated with Grasstrac produce better liveweight gains than those grazing untreated pasture. The trial shown right is one carried out by ADAS over a two year period with weaned lambs.

Fact - Grasstrac praised in Teagasc trials

Trials carried out by Teagasc at Johnstown Castle, Co. Wexford showed selenium and copper status improved throughout the grazing season in the Grasstractreated pasture. The untreated control remained below recommended levels. The research team concluded that the results were ‘highly promising’.

Fact - Using Grasstrac in organic farming and environmental schemes

The Certification Committee of the Soil Association have stated that “there is no reason why Grasstrac should not be used on organic land where there is a deficiency.”

A deficiency can be identified by soil analysis and then approval should be sought from the Soil Association or other certification bodies, before Grasstrac application.

Most environmental schemes forbid the use of seaweeds because they act as liming agents and alter the pH of the soil. The trace element content of seaweeds is minimal. Grasstrac, by comparison, supplies very significant quantities of trace elements but has no liming effect. It can therefore be used on land which is under liming restriction and wherever trace elements are required.