This section provides brief news about latest developments and achievements of Dow’s programme in the European bale silage market.
| Keeping close ties with the farming community |
Farmer forums, 'Bale Silage Days', trade shows, study trips…as part of its long-term programme in the European bale silage market place, Dow continues to work alongside the farming communities to stimulate knowledge transfer and to communicate benefits and best practices in bale silage production.Read more
| Bale Silage forums in Germany and Poland |
Over 80 farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs have attended Dow's sponsored Bale Silage Days held this winter in Germany and Poland. Participants engaged in discussions with local advisors and guest speaker from IBERS (UK), about the principles and best practices in bale silage production in livestock systems. Read more
| Dow Supports New Silage Advisory Centre to Aid Farmers' Decision-Making |
Industry experts in the UK and Ireland have recently teamed up to create the Silage Advisory Centre, designed to improve the ability of farmers to produce quality and nutritional silage at a reasonable profit and to aid decision-making regarding silage production, forage conservation and grassland management. For more information: www.silageadvice.com
| The environmental impact of products for EU citizens |
A Euro barometer survey reveals that 80 per cent of Europeans consider the environmental impact of the products they buy. Almost 50 per cent of respondents think that a combination of higher taxes for environmentally-damaging products and lower taxes for environmentally-friendly products is the best way to promote environmentally-friendly products. For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/
| Consequences of climate change |
According to the German Farmers Association, farmers will increasingly have to deal with problems such as shortage of water or new vermin. The growth of insects is boosted by warmer temperatures, and at the same time extreme weather conditions are on the increase. For more information (in German): http://www.agrarheute.com
| Financial help from European Commission for struggling milk producers |
Following farmers' demonstrations in Brussels this summer against plummeting milk prices, the European Commission proposed help for the struggling dairy industry. Direct aid to dairy farmers will be paid early, starting in October. For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/
It seems even silage is not immune to the popularity of Facebook. Silage cutters across America is a US-based group, whilst there are silage fans who link up via I've been on a Silage Chopping Crew (or want to); and surprisingly enough, a British pop group called More Silage with its own Facebook page. Perhaps the most original is a women only group composed of farmers' wives with a wry sense of humour - the Silage Widows Association! Many farmers are also beginning post 'tweets' about how their silage season is going, using Twitter. Take a look at www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com to see what you might be missing!
| New Market Report on baled silage in UK and Ireland |
A Dow's latest Market Report on Baled Silage in UK and Ireland - A Survey of Current Practices, Trends and Opportunities is now available. Download here (1.3 MB PDF). The report provides a snapshot into the baled silage market, case studies from farmers, recent research, and expert commentary and advice on how to maximize fodder and grassland management systems using baled silage effectively.
| Bale Silage Seminar for Polish Farmers |
A one-day educational seminar on bale silage aimed at Polish farmers was organised by Dow working together with the farmers' National Association of Village Chairmen and the Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming. Participants had the opportunity to learn best practices in bale silage making and latest research in this field through expert lecturers and practical on-farm demonstration sessions.
| International Forage Conservation Conference in Slovakia |
The findings of Dow's latest stretch film research commissioned to the Institute for Land Reclamation and Grassland Farming in Poland were presented at the International Forage Conservation Conference which was held in Slovakia in September. The research looks at the effects of increasing the number of wrap layers applied to bales on silage fermentation, dry matter losses, quality and nutritive value.
Read more about the research.
| Dow sponsor of the European Grassland Federation Conference, Sweden |
Over 400 participants from 40 countries took part in the 22nd European Grassland Federation (EGF) Conference this summer in Uppsala (Sweden). Sponsored by Dow, the 2008 event was attended by the Swedish King, the Swedish Minister of Agriculture and the EU Commissioner of Agriculture and focused on "Biodiversity and animal feed: future challenges for grassland production".
| Dow reinforces its dedication to the Polish market |
As part of its long-term programme in the European silage market, Dow reinforced its participation in the Polish market by becoming member of the National Association of Village Chairmen (
www.kss.org.pl). Among other joint educational activities, a one day seminar on bale silage best practices will be organised for dairy and beef farmers at the Regional Dairy Cooperative in Ko
lo on May 26, 2008.
| Dow at Grassland & Muck Show, United Kingdom, May 21-22 |
Dow will be participating at the 2008 Grassland event along with BPI (British Polythene Industries) and IGER (Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research). Come visit us at the BPI stand to see how you can improve your potential return from silage and benefit from the
Economic Benefit Tool from IGER to help you compare the value from feeding bales compared to clamp silage. For more information on the show, visit
www.grasslandevent.co.uk.
| Dow sponsors European Grassland Federation Conference, Sweden, June 9-12 |
Held biannually, the conference attracts researchers, advisors, decision-makers and industry with interest in grassland use and conservation. This year's theme is "Biodiversity and animal feed - future challenges for grassland production". For more information on the conference, visit www.egf2008.se.
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