1) Minimise sward damage.

You need to take what action is necessary to minimise poaching. The level of action required will depend on land type. If you have free draining soils it may be possible to simply graze the driest paddocks on the farm during periods of heavy rain. However ,if you are on heavy soils you will have little option but to re-house. While re-housing will be a costly option, both in terms of feed costs and loss of thrive, it will only be short-term. The effects of severe poaching will be evident through the entire grazing season and will work out much more costly in the long run.

2) Remove heavy stock

Cows or forward stores will do the most damage during wet weather. Therefore they should be housed first. Depending on individual farm situation it may be cheaper to increase meal feeding levels on forward stores and finishing the out of the shed. The economics of this will obviously depend on age and weight of stock in question, ration price, and the likelihood of getting them back out onto good quality grass quickly.

3) Wean autumn born calves

A number of farmers have taken the decision to wean the autumn born calves. This allows for the cows to be housed on a restricted diet silage or straw. The light weanlings will do a lot less damage to the sward compared to their mothers and therefore will utilise grass much more efficiently. Again, the decision to this will depend on individual farm situation and the age and weight of the calf. It is definitely and option worth considering on heavy farms with limited supplies of fodder and with calves born in August / September.

4) Reducing stocking rate

Reducing the stocking rate will help reduce sward damage. Consider removing unproductive stock from the grazing rotation – e.g. dry cows or possibly in-calf heifers.

5) Split groups

Larger groups of stock will tend to do more damage compared to smaller groups. Therefore, where possible, try and split groups- especially where grazing small paddocks.

6) Utilise rough grazing

During periods of heavy rain move stock onto rough grazing areas that are not part of the rotation. This may be a wooded area or a rocky area on the farm. In the case of cows and calves use a creep gate to allow the calves to access to quality grass. This will take a bit of pressure off the cows. Depending on grass cover on the rough grazing area you may need to provide additional fodder. A number of farmers also opt to close stock onto roadways during the heavy down pours.

7) Buying value for money.

Where stock have to be housed and you have no fodder on the farm, make sure you are buying value for money. With ration prices now in the region of €170 to €210 per tonne, meals represent better value for money than round bale silage. Remember 1kg of meal is the equivalent of 7kg of silage. Therefore where a ration is costing you €190/t a round bale of silage (at 650kg) is worth €18. You don’t need to feed silage ad-lib. A cow will eat up to 45kg of silage per day when fed ad-lib. With 2kg of meal this can be restricted to 25-30kg. You are not looking for the Rolls Royce ration – a 10-12% protein ration is adequate. When feeding 2-3kg per day straight rolled barley would suffice. If going above 4kg mix in some citrus or soya hulls.

8) Spread out in shed

If housing stock don’t close them up tight in the shed. Give them plenty of space and keep doors open. Where possible, try to house stock when they are dry as opposed to housing during a heavy down pour. You need to try and avoid pneumonia.

9) Herd regularly

All classes of animals are under severe stress during the unsettled weather. Make sure and herd stock at least twice daily. Check young stock for signs of pneumonia (snotty noses, droopy years, panting) and cows for any signs of magnesium deficiency – supplementation is essential. Pneumonia can also be a problem in older stock in the current conditions.

10) Don’t roll damaged paddocks

A number of farmers have been enquiring as to the merits of rolling paddocks. There is absolutely no merit in rolling damaged paddocks –at least not for at least two weeks after weather conditions have improved. In general the best option is to leave a paddock and let the cattle walk the hoof marks back in. In severely damaged paddocks you may want take the opportunity to incorporate clover into the open sward.