As grass growth accelerates across the UK and Ireland, livestock farmers face the challenge of maintaining forage quality while maximising productivity from grazing and silage systems.

In this episode of Grow the Future, host Ken Rundle is joined by Yara's Country Grassland Specialist, Philip Cosgrave, to discuss the key grassland management decisions facing farmers at mid-season. They explore how to maintain grass quality during periods of rapid growth, the importance of managing grazing covers, and why timely nutrient applications are critical for both grazing and silage performance.

Philip also highlights the significant nutrient offtakes associated with silage production, the growing importance of potassium, phosphate and sulphur management, and how farmers can use nutrient planning to improve efficiency while remaining compliant with evolving environmental regulations.

Whether you're focused on grazing performance, silage yields, or long-term soil fertility, this episode provides practical advice to help you get the most from your grassland this season.

In this episode, we are joined by James Willis, Area Manager based in Norfolk, to discuss strategic nutrition planning for upcoming crop rotations. The conversation opens with an analysis of current geopolitical challenges and their macroeconomic impact on agriculture, before transitioning into a technical discussion on the critical relationship between sulphur and nitrogen in driving photosynthesis and maximizing nutrient use efficiency.

James emphasizes the financial necessity of mastering agronomic fundamentals, highlighting how sub-optimal soil pH can incur significant costs—and how regular soil sampling and leaf testing can mitigate these risks. Additionally, the episode explores recent grower feedback regarding a shift toward less intensive crop rotations, examines the broader market implications of wheat production challenges in the US and Australia, and evaluates the operational advantages of transitioning to liquid fertilisers.

The episode concludes with key, actionable advice from James to help growers navigate the complexities of the upcoming season.

In this episode of Grow the Future, we focus on a critical priority for livestock and dairy producers across the UK and Ireland: maximizing sward recovery and pasture productivity. Joining us to share his expertise is Philip Cosgrave, a specialist Grassland Agronomist with Yara UK and Ireland, who provides a comprehensive overview of the spring 2026 season from a grassland perspective and addresses the strategic decision between spring and autumn reseeding.

This discussion highlights targeted nutritional interventions to accelerate sward recovery, specifically reviewing the role of YaraVita Croplift Pro—a highly effective foliar fertiliser designed for co-application with herbicides to deliver a precise balance of essential nutrients. Furthermore, for maize growers looking to optimize crop establishment, the episode explores the strategic application of YaraVita CropBoost and YaraAmplix Optitrac, supported by a review of recent independent trial data demonstrating their significant impact on yield and quality.