Wet weather over the past 7-10 days has disrupted grazing and silage plans on some farms, especially in the south of the country. Take care not to poach or damage fields and move stock onto the next paddock early if you think too much damage is taking place. If you can, move to drier areas of the farm during wet weather. Grass quality can be maintained by topping and if ground conditions doesn’t allow topping, these paddocks can be grazed tighter in the next rotation.

Where harvesting first cut silage has been delayed, heavily stocked farms will need to take action to ensure that they do not run tight for grass in July due to the delay in aftergrass coming back into the system. Paddocks with a high content of rye grass should receive 27 units/CAN/acre to help boost supply and avoid a grass shortage. On some farms, an extra few days can be bought by grazing silage aftermaths around headlands etc. With good weather conditions forecast for the weekend, use this opportunity to get silage in. Don’t delay with slurry and fertiliser for second cuts to get grass growing again.

IGA Beef Conference

The Irish Grassland Association will hold its annual beef conference in the Headford Arms Hotel, Kells, Co. Meath with a farm tour on Tom Halpins suckler farm just outside Kells in the afternoon. The morning session will see presentations from Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Irish Farmers Journal followed by a panel debate on the future of the Irish Beef Industry. For bookings contact Maura Callery, secretary IGA on 087 9626483.

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