Dairy

Grassland walk messages

James Humphries and Aidan Lawless turned out the best side of Solohead for visitors on the ACC Grassland Summer Tour in Tipperary and Limerick on Tuesday. While not replacing the high nitrogen system, the Solohead low nitrogen system is proving a viable option for many with low stocking rates and no opportunity to expand quota. The current price/cost ratio increase for milk versus fertiliser (energy) is also a very real reason for looking at alternatives.

Some of the messages yesterday were:

If you have clover in paddocks get seedling clover established before clover crashes after year 4 or 5.

Oversowing with 1 to 2 kg of clover seed/acre after first cut silage would seem the best opportunity for most farmers. Those with lighter soils might be better getting in earlier (April) after tight grazing.

ARAN the large leaf clover is best at this time of the year and a mix of large and medium leaf towards the back end.

Getting in soon after silage cut and spreading slurry after cutting to enhance seed/soil contact and provide moisture is best.

Spraying for docks is difficult and spot spraying might be needed.

Management is the key

Getting into to graze paddocks before they reach 1500 kg DM/ha is paramount. At this time of the year this means grazing at 21/23 days rotation. AT the back end high covers are not an issue as clover can compete well with grass.

For those not trying the clover route fertiliser recommendations are dependent on stocking rate. The table below shows fertiliser recommendations for June:

Nitrogen fertilizer rates

In the afternoon visitors had the opportunity to question John McNamara, Kilmallock who displayed exceptional attention to detail on his immaculate farm. He needs to increase accommodation and slurry storage. There was a debate on the low-cost alternatives versus the conventional cubicles. Teagasc has ongoing research that say the Earthen Bank Tank and Stand Off Pad are real options for those looking to increase storage or housing. Cow welfare and environment are taken care off. Why go and spend over €100,000 on a building when you can spend €20,000.

John has excellent production at 6.400 litres/cow (1,400 gallons) at 3.85% fat and 3.47% protein. Producing 483 kg of milk solids/cow feeding 400 kg/cow with an overall stocking rate at 2.4 LU/ha (1.06 acre/LU). I will outline more detail next week.

Water

Watch water at this time of the year. Cows milking very well will require large volumes of water. A flow rate of 3-4 gals/cow/hr to troughs is required. Trough size should be approx 2 gals/cow eg 100 cows - 200 gals.