Average annual grass growth across AgriSearch’s four GrassCheck sites in Northern Ireland in 2016 was 13.6t DM/ha, which is up 0.5t DM/ha on last year and 2.4t DM/ha, or 21% higher, than the 2007 to 2015 average.
However, growth rates varied widely over time and across regions.
Figures from AFBI show that by the end of April, rainfall for the year was 20% above average, which along with cold temperatures led to wet soil conditions and slow growth. GrassCheck sites recorded a deficit of 1t DM/ha after the first 12 weeks of the season, compared to the long-term average.
In late May, growth rates peaked at 115kg DM/ha but fell to 67kg DM/ha three weeks later. A delayed peak was caused by a three-week delay in ear emergence due to the late spring.
Although volatile, grass growth rates remained very strong through the summer months, averaging 80kg DM/ha at the Hillsborough and Greenmount sites.
East-west divide
Figures from AFBI also show the difference in rainfall and management issues that farmers in the west of NI faced compared with the east. From June to September, 315mm (315m litres per ha) more rain fell in Omagh than in Hillsborough. Many farmers in the west struggled with grazing, silage and slurry throughout the season.
However, a dry autumn was welcomed and allowed extended grazing, late silage harvesting and slurry spreading in many areas. In September and October, growth rates were double the average for the time of year at around 42.9kg DM/ha. Rainfall in October was around half of what was expected during the month.
Quality
GrassCheck figures also show that grass metabolisable energy content, crude protein and acid-digestible fibre were consistent with previous years, averaging 11.6 MJ/kg DM, 19.5% and 27.5%, respectively.
However, dry matter contents were below 14% throughout June, July and August, which increased the requirement for bought-in feeds on farms. Overall, grass dry matter content was 1.5% lower throughout the season than the long-term average of 17.2%.
Read more
Farmers sought for GrassCheck 2017
2016 through the eyes of farmers
Average annual grass growth across AgriSearch’s four GrassCheck sites in Northern Ireland in 2016 was 13.6t DM/ha, which is up 0.5t DM/ha on last year and 2.4t DM/ha, or 21% higher, than the 2007 to 2015 average.
However, growth rates varied widely over time and across regions.
Figures from AFBI show that by the end of April, rainfall for the year was 20% above average, which along with cold temperatures led to wet soil conditions and slow growth. GrassCheck sites recorded a deficit of 1t DM/ha after the first 12 weeks of the season, compared to the long-term average.
In late May, growth rates peaked at 115kg DM/ha but fell to 67kg DM/ha three weeks later. A delayed peak was caused by a three-week delay in ear emergence due to the late spring.
Although volatile, grass growth rates remained very strong through the summer months, averaging 80kg DM/ha at the Hillsborough and Greenmount sites.
East-west divide
Figures from AFBI also show the difference in rainfall and management issues that farmers in the west of NI faced compared with the east. From June to September, 315mm (315m litres per ha) more rain fell in Omagh than in Hillsborough. Many farmers in the west struggled with grazing, silage and slurry throughout the season.
However, a dry autumn was welcomed and allowed extended grazing, late silage harvesting and slurry spreading in many areas. In September and October, growth rates were double the average for the time of year at around 42.9kg DM/ha. Rainfall in October was around half of what was expected during the month.
Quality
GrassCheck figures also show that grass metabolisable energy content, crude protein and acid-digestible fibre were consistent with previous years, averaging 11.6 MJ/kg DM, 19.5% and 27.5%, respectively.
However, dry matter contents were below 14% throughout June, July and August, which increased the requirement for bought-in feeds on farms. Overall, grass dry matter content was 1.5% lower throughout the season than the long-term average of 17.2%.
Read more
Farmers sought for GrassCheck 2017
2016 through the eyes of farmers
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