ࡱ> &(%  bjbj .jj lNNNNNNNbXXXX db2$F f N8NN888jNN888GNNx zצbX(_0g, " 8bbNNNNSOME CHICORY TIPS FOR FARMERS Adding perennial chicory to grasslands can boost growth rates of lambs, new research has revealed. Trials at the University of Cumbrias Newton Rigg Campus were very encouraging, confirmed David Woodcock, Rural Estates Manager. The average weight of chicory fed lambs at the end of the trials which ran from June 7 2007 to July 19 2007 was half a kilo higher than lambs put onto regular pasture. Ewes also did much better on chicory grassland. Chicory established well in the grass sward, over-wintered well and lambs grazing the fields finished off very well, said Mr Woodcock. At a time when livestock farmers are looking at cutting costs the addition of chicory to the seed mix has the potential for some valuable economic gains, he added. A total of fourteen and half acres of grass and chicory leys were established at Newton Rigg in the autumn of 2006 and 2007. The chicory type used was the Puna II variety which was developed in New Zealand. Not only does this perennial herb offer high yields of very palatable and nutritious fodder but it is drought tolerant due to its deep tap root. This is likely to become increasingly important for pasture-based systems as climate change alters rainfall patterns. The original wild-type variety of chicory was ruled out as a forage crop due to poor productivity. But after ten years of selection more robust forms became commercially available in the mid-80s, including Puna II. It is ideal for finishing lambs and also provides high quality fodder for cattle. It also appears to reduce the worm uptake in sheep. Farmers and livestock producers are now invited to a special University of Cumbria open day at Newton Rigg to learn about the advantages of this valuable herb and the full results of the trials. Better Returns from Chicory will be held on Tuesday 13 May between 10am and 1.30pm in the Caldbeck Room. It is being run in conjunction with EBLEX (The Beef and Lamb Sector Company) and British Seed Houses. To register for your free place, which includes lunch and a tour of the Newton Rigg chicory pasture, ring Hellen or Sandra on 0870 6091840. Ends Notes to Editors Please contact Alan Air for further details on 07974 765870 Picture Caption: David Woodcock recorded increased growth rates from lambs reared on mixed swards containing perennial chicory at Newton Rigg in Cumbria. Issued by Matt Mellor, ABC Ltd Tel: 01694 731777  CJaJmH sH 5\ mnwxT U T`T$T`Ta$$a$  P Q   ~  r s z { c d h^h$ & Fa$$T`Ta$,1h. A!"#$%  iD@D Normal$CJOJQJ^J_HaJmH sH tH :@: Heading 1$h@&^h5\2@2 Heading 2$@&5\<A@< Default Paragraph Font,B@, Body Text$a$ sz{c d 0 0000000000   mqow59R V Z a mu 33s  Helen Smith7T:\Germinal IGER\Releases 2008\Newton Rigg, Puna II.docc1Tܫ^`OJPJQJ^Jo(- ^`OJQJo(o pp^p`OJQJo( @ @ ^@ `OJQJo( ^`OJQJo(o ^`OJQJo( ^`OJQJo( ^`OJQJo(o PP^P`OJQJo(c1 V        @ @ b  `@UnknownGz Times New Roman5Symbol3& z Arial?5 z Courier New;Wingdings"qhĦĦbJ]#20 2AHXSOME CHICORY TIPS FOR FARMERS Helen Smith Helen SmithOh+'0  , H T `lt|SOME CHICORY TIPS FOR FARMERSMiOME Helen Smitheleele Normal.dot Helen Smith4leMicrosoft Word 9.0O@_@Jæ@LWצb՜.+,0  hp   AgricommO  SOME CHICORY TIPS FOR FARMERS Title  !"#$'Root Entry FPtizצ)1Table WordDocument.SummaryInformation(DocumentSummaryInformation8CompObjjObjectPoolPtizצPtizצ  FMicrosoft Word Document MSWordDocWord.Document.89q