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Edryd and Glenda Davies are making more from marginal mountain ground by mob and rotational grazing to improve grassland so they can operate a low-cost forage-based system and finish lambs off grass. 570 breeding ewes - 320 pure Welsh ewes for replacement purposes and 250 Aberfield-cross ewes, mated to meat sires "Since they're lasting for an average five crops, we don't require as many replacements, and that, in turn, is enabling us to continue to reduce the pure Welsh ewe flock and minimise the number of lightweight weather lambs", adds Mr Davies. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the significance of benchmarking in improving profits for arable farms. Topics discussed include impact of raising crop yields and cutting costs on business performance of farmers, concerns related to decline in premium market and additional haulage charges; and need for soil analysis in order to plan investments in liming and drainage.

The article discusses factors in choosing the right liming product for a soil. According to Brian Annis, a consultant for the Agricultural Lime Association, choosing the correct product and making sure it is properly applied requires some thought. He notes that although price is an important driver behind product choice, quality and value for money should be the main considerations, as the product must be able to react with the soil.

The article highlights the significance of lime to a good agricultural practice in Great Britain. It mentions that lime improves soil structure and promotes optimum nutrient supply for plants through making nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur more available. According to the author, present agricultural lime is exempted from aggregate tax.

The article presents advice to farmers on the selection and application of soil-sweetening lime from Agricultural Lime Association chairman Stephen Hill. He emphasizes the importance of taking a representative number of spot samples when determining the pH level of areas. He encourages growers to seek assurances about liming products. Buyers should examine the specification for the amount of inert silica in liming products prior to the purchase.

The author talks about work at their farm at Burrington, Devon in England as of April 2009. He notes that the sudden-appearance of the sun on the farm has led to the death of two in-lamb ewes and a ram between his morning and afternoon expectations. He adds that the farm did not lost a sheep to listeria yet he does not know what measures he had taken to protect the animals from the disease. He mentions that he dressed the field adjacent to the roots with lime and planted it with ryegrass and clover seed.

Focuses on the guidelines produced by the Agricultural Lime Association to help farmers in making agricultural lime investments. Significance of specification to the suitability of the product; Factors to consider in determining the neutralizing value of the product; Suggestion on the percentage of the fineness of grinding.

Focuses on the cost benefits of liming, emphasized by the Agricultural Lime Association (ALA) of Great Britain. Results of trials which applied 2002 crop values and lime prices; Information on the Lime Calculator computer software from ALA.

Announces that a lime granule facility or plant is due to be completed in September 2003 to service growing demand for do-it-yourself liming enthusiasts in Great Britain and Ireland. Worth of the facility; Production capacity of the plant built by Acheson & Glover.

The article focuses on the arrival of monsoons in Great Britain, providing a much needed boost to grass growth, however, some fields may be suffering a nitrogen shortage after high losses during the recent dry spell, as of May 27, 2003. Urea is even more prone to atmospheric losses than ammonium nitrate, particularly when coupled with spring lime applications. Many livestock producers have taken advantage of dry period of spring for 10 years and caught up with liming. Losses will also depend on whether there has been any dew.