Exceptional heavy rainfall has resulted in water gathering in fields and farm roadways. However, soils are so dry after the prolonged dry spell that grazing conditions in general are still not bad.

With the forecast for less rain next week, most farmers (except those waiting for the silage harvester) are happy enough.

If you have to graze a heavy cover (greater than 1,700kg), you may have to put up a strip wire to protect what grass is ahead. Ideally at this time of the year you shouldn’t be using a strip wire. Try to get cows into the paddock in one gate and out the other gate. This helps reduce the damage near the paddock entrances.

Milk solids

Some paddocks I walked in the last few days are seeding (heading out). Ideally try to graze the leafiest paddocks – that’s what drives milk solids. Skip over paddocks that have gone too far if you can at all.

If you can, try to avoid topping. Ten years ago, almost every farmer was topping for a full round of grazing if not more. A lot of the best grass managers are not topping at all now. Yes, they are cutting a handful of paddocks – but they are also grazing lower covers and that’s key.

Flexibility

Those at very high stocking rates will find taking out paddocks most difficult, but with high nitrogen and high growth rates, they should have some flexibility at this time of the year. If nitrogen is not up to speed, then the foot is off the pedal and highly stocked farms can run short quickly. Stocking over 4.5 cows/ha and not keeping up behind the cows can lead to problems.

Given the exceptional grass growth that most farms will experience over the coming days, most farms should have plenty of grass. There shouldn’t be any limiting factor but management is crucial and it is imperative that farms are walked every four or five days. Stay on top of grass covers for this crucial couple of weeks when growth is at peak and you can boost winter stocks, increase utilisation, and ensure better-quality grass for the remainder of the grazing season.

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Dairy management: grass