THE British Grassland Society (BGS) is 75 years old this year and sets out, as it has always done, to facilitate the path of grassland science from researchers into profitable practice by farmers.

As the importance of good grassland management is increasingly recognised, in terms of the production of high value outputs for lower input costs, BGS remains as a central hub of information on all things grass.

Alex Law, a grassland specialist with Carrs Billington Agriculture, based in the Yorkshire Dales near Reeth, is the regional council member for BGS in the North-East and Yorkshire and Humberside, acting as the crucial link between the central society and the local affiliated societies.

In this region these are the Craven Grassland Society, Durham Grassland Society, East Riding Grassland Society, South Yorkshire Grassland Society and Whitby Discussion Group.

“As the regional representative I talk to all the secretaries of the local societies in my patch to make sure they know what BGS is up to and vice versa,” Alex explained.

“I am also responsible for organising the judging of the regional round of the Grass Farmer of the Year Award, where the winners from the local societies go up against each other. The overall winner makes it the national round representing our region.

“There are also events, special interest days and workshops which BGS and local society members can come to, including the annual Summer Meeting, which visits many different farms in a certain region. This year we are going to Northern Ireland.

“And before that, we have a research conference with a focus on multi-species swards, on March 26 and 27 in Reading.” Membership of the BGS is open to anyone with an active interest in grass and forage management and costs £50 a year.

The society brings together research workers, farmers, advisers, technical specialist and senior members of the agricultural supply industry and meeting and talking with the membership is always productive.

n Join BGS by filling out the form at www.britishgrassland.com on the About us/Join page, call the office on 01270 616464, or call Alex on 07860 784904 to talk about joining one of the local societies.