The year so far has been variable in terms of grazing performance, with a significant contrast remaining between farms in the east and south and those in the west and north. In some cases, growth rates recorded in the first half of the year show a difference of 1t DM/ha to 2t DM/ha in the volume of grass grown.

While farms in the west and north somewhat closed the gap in terms of the volume of grass grown during the dry spell in July, the heavy rainfall in recent weeks (and particularly over the weekend) has reduced grass utilisation. However, in most places, ground has been able to cope with the high rainfall levels, preventing any rehousing of stock.

Mixed weather conditions are also delaying silage harvesting. With a dip in grass growth rates and a delay in aftergrass swards joining the rotation, some farms can see a tightening in grass supplies coming down the line.

This is especially the case where farms were running into a grass surplus a few weeks ago and pulled extra paddocks out of the rotation in the hope of baling or adding to the second-cut silage harvest. Now those farmers can’t get these paddocks cut.

If the weather improves, favourable grass growth rates should see farms remain on track. However, if ground conditions deteriorate further – as could be the case with a mixed forecast – it is important that steps are taken to minimise disruption and maintain high levels of animal performance.

Some of the challenges occuring and possible solutions are outlined below.

Grazing heavy covers

Grassland management has been difficult for much of July, with grass heading out faster and quality being harder to maintain. Strong growth rates or having enough fodder already saved is seeing some farms turn stock into strong pre-grazing covers, while other farmers are being forced to graze a percentage of paddocks taken out for silage.

Grazing out these swards is proving difficult in recent days, with soil contamination of grass taking place. Forcing animals to graze out swards will only serve to promote extra walking of unsettled stock and more trampling of the sward.

If possible, the best option here is to move stock on and graze tighter when ground conditions improve, or top down to 4cm.

The ideal option to maximise grass utilisation is offering animals a daily allocation of grass, or strip-grazing and operating a back fence. The feasibility of this will be dictated by ground conditions.

Keeping bulls settled

The mixed weather has also made grazing of bulls more difficult. The greatest problems are with strong bulls aged 16 to 18 months.

Offering bulls access to fresh grass, ideally on a daily basis, will help to keep them more settled. Concentrate supplementation will also help, but there is a safety concern that should be addressed – especially with more forward bulls tending to be more aggravated.

The best option for very forward bulls is likely to be housing and building onto their finishing diet. There is little point in leaving bulls outdoors if they are not thriving. Light bulls can receive 2kg to 4kg meals.

Building up feeding rates in advance of housing will also help achieve a smooth transition onto an indoor finishing diet. A simple high-energy ration will suffice.

Approaching slaughter

It may seem early to be talking about supplementing cattle at grass, but the fact that on one hand weather is bad and on the other hand some cattle have done a better thrive than anticipated and may be at closer to slaughter, is bringing supplementation into the frame earlier.

There are a number of principles that should be kept in mind when introducing concentrate supplementation to get the optimum response:

  • Ideally, meal feeding should be aimed at a minimum of six weeks and not more than eight weeks prior to slaughter. This is especially the case as you progress into late August/early September and grass quality is on a declining trend.
  • Select and group forward cattle that are within four to eight weeks of finishing (approximately 25kg to 55kg).
  • A simple high-energy ration or straight barley will suffice.
  • Targeted use of meals can bring forward the slaughter date and help push animals up a conformation/fat score.
  • Between 1kg and 3kg will suffice to maintain performance early in the season, rising to 4kg to 6kg for continental steers late in the year when grass supplies or quality is limited.
  • Traditional breed heifers may not require supplementation. Be careful if supplementing heifers or steers not to let animals go overfat.
  • Tight supplies

    Where suckler cows and calves are running tight on grass, forward creep-grazing/creep supplementation will help conserve the best quality grass for calves and maintain performance. Cows can be used to clean out paddocks in dry conditions or supplemented temporarily until grass supplies recover.

    If supplies are likely to remain particularly tight and calves are aged six to eight months of age, considering weaning strong calves may be a realistic option. Early weaning is likely to be farm-specific rather than a regular occurrence this early in the year.