Category Archives: OPICO
Taking control of silage-making has boosted production

A move to DIY silage-making using a forage wagon has helped one organic Somerset dairy get milk from forage up over the 5000-litre mark. Getting cows to produce decent quantities of milk throughout the lactation in an organic system can be something of a challenge given the limited range of available sources of concentrate protein […]

New high energy grass seed mixture for intensive grazing

Limagrain UK has launched a new range of LGAN-branded grass seed mixtures which have been scientifically formulated to increase meat/milk production from grass. Amongst the new ley mixtures is Intensive Grazing which consists of 100% tetraploid perennial ryegrasses plus a white clover blend: it promises to deliver good palatability, a high yield of energy, and […]

Improving grassland productivity: from the soil below to the sward on top!

To maximise the performance from grassland it was important to take a ‘bottom up’ approach: to ensure soil structure was in good condition, to tailor fertiliser applications to cost-effectively correct nutrient shortfalls, to reseed regularly to maintain good yields and quality, and to keep swards clean with targeted weed control programmes. These were just some […]

New 4.5m hydraulic-folding 5-leg grassland subsoiler for larger tractors
OPICO has expanded its existing Sward Lifter range with the introduction of a new 4.5m hydraulic-folding 5-leg model, available with either shear-bolt or hydraulic reset leg protection. Designed to break up hard pans and surface compaction whilst lifting and opening the subsoil, the new Sward Lifter is ideal for large-scale farmers and contractors. It is [...]
Improving grassland by taking a ‘bottom-up’ integrated approach
A series of free talks on improving grassland productivity were held in January and February 2013, with speakers from the Grassright Group. The events, entitled ‘Bottom Up Grass Production’ were at locations in Cheshire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Devon, and covered the benefits of removing soil compaction to improve soil structure, ensuring optimal use of [...]
New slurry injector for use with grass slitter gives improved nutrient utilisation
OPICO has launched a new slurry injector, for mounting onto the 6m hydraulic folding Sward Slitter. Called the Slit Injector, it gives improved nutrient utilisation over splash plate applicators as slurry is delivered down to the ground and into the slots made by the slitter blades, reducing nutrient losses due to volatilisation and evaporation. The [...]
New grassland tool cleans the sward for faster fuller recovery in grazed fields

At the Livestock Show 2012, OPICO launched a new grassland management tool which allows the sward in grazed fields to re-generate faster, and more completely. Called the Pasture Harrow, this multi-tasking tool levels out molehills, disperses muck heaps and cow pats, and aerates the sward. The results: lost ground is re-gained, ‘free’ nutrients are better […]

New ley mixture for extended grazing includes Timothy for extra palatability and early season growth

Limagrain UK has extended its range of Matrix Enhanced Ryegrass mixtures for extended grazing systems with the introduction of a new mixture which includes Timothy grass for extra palatability and early season growth. Matrix Enhanced Ryegrass is a festulolium which starts growing at lower temperatures than perennial ryegrasses, and so provides an extended grazing season. […]