FARMERS have been urged to look at ways of making more use of their grass - but Dr Dave Roberts, head of the SAC Dairy Research Unit, urges a degree of caution.

"I do think some enthusiasts have gone overboard with grass, using it as much as possible" he said, adding that the objective should be to make as much profit as possible.

He also advised farmers to cast a critical eye over any general grassland management packages and systems, always referring to their own farm situation. "You cannot possibly have something that fits entirely your own situation, but the principles may be good," he said.

The first of two Milk Development Council events Dr Roberts addressed was a farm walk and discussion at Colin Nicholson's award-winning Castiles Farm at Grantley, near Ripon.

Dr Roberts described it as: "A really good farm; really good at 750ft above sea level and still using grazed grass. If someone in that situation can use grazed grass, almost everyone can."

Later, he addressed a meeting at Stakesby Manor Hotel, Whitby.

More use could be made of grass by keeping the cows out later and turning them out earlier, he said. Farmers should still plan for a long winter, but could maybe keep the cows out for a week or two longer, depending on the weather and grass availability. It could cut the amount of purchased feed necessary.

It was, however, important that pastures were not damaged by the later grazing.

At turnout, again depending on the weather and situation, there could be opportunities to let the cows out earlier for a short period each day. That policy should suit most cows, but not high yielders.

Farmers should ask what delayed them turning the cows out - and they should be honest. Was it lack of confidence that the grass would continue, or was it not having the fencing or water in place in time?

When there was enough spring grass on the SAC Crichton Royal Farm in Dumfrieshire, the cows were allowed out early. "They go out from 11am until 1pm and we then move on to four hours a day and from that to all day," said Dr Roberts.

"What we do not do is rush to clean the cubicles out once they have gone out full time. We leave them at least a month so that, if we do have to bring them back in, we can." It was important to avoid turning cattle out early, then having to bring them back in because of a lack of grazing.

Dr Roberts said there was no point in having early or late grass if the farm could not use it all. He also said cow tracks might be sensible in wet areas but he had seen them on farms where they were not necessary. "Be careful not to go over the top," he said.