Derrypatrick herd update: Ground conditions improve considerably at Grange
The Derrypatrick herd is an initiative by Teagasc aimed at researching optimal sustainable suckler beef systems. Liam McWeeney of Teagasc gives a weekly update on the farm.
A group of yearling heifers grazing a newly reseeded sward.
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There are currently 90 cows and calves at grass, and ground conditions have improved considerably in the past week. All cattle are now back on the grazing block after grazing off the silage ground. The silage area has received 90 units of nitrogen (urea) along with slurry. The plan is to harvest the silage in seven to eight weeks.
Cows that were over 40 days calved were scanned this week to ensure they are clean and suitable for breeding. Four cows out of 45 scanned needed attention and they were washed out and will be rechecked when the next batch is been scanned to ensure they are clean. The stock bulls were fertility-tested last week and were all fertile and ready for the breeding season which will start in last week of April.
An average grass growth rate of 34kg DM/ha/day was recorded over the past week and this should improve over the coming days as ground temperature is now up to 10 degrees. Cows are still on the first grazing rotation, this will finish in the next five to six days. Ground conditions have improved greatly and grass utilisation is good with paddocks been grazed out to under 5cm.
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A batch of yearling heifers are currently grazing the new reseeded ground which has covers of 1600 kg DM/ha.A further three cows calved in the past week - this leaves only five remaining, hopefully they won’t drag on much longer!
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There are currently 90 cows and calves at grass, and ground conditions have improved considerably in the past week. All cattle are now back on the grazing block after grazing off the silage ground. The silage area has received 90 units of nitrogen (urea) along with slurry. The plan is to harvest the silage in seven to eight weeks.
Cows that were over 40 days calved were scanned this week to ensure they are clean and suitable for breeding. Four cows out of 45 scanned needed attention and they were washed out and will be rechecked when the next batch is been scanned to ensure they are clean. The stock bulls were fertility-tested last week and were all fertile and ready for the breeding season which will start in last week of April.
An average grass growth rate of 34kg DM/ha/day was recorded over the past week and this should improve over the coming days as ground temperature is now up to 10 degrees. Cows are still on the first grazing rotation, this will finish in the next five to six days. Ground conditions have improved greatly and grass utilisation is good with paddocks been grazed out to under 5cm.
A batch of yearling heifers are currently grazing the new reseeded ground which has covers of 1600 kg DM/ha.A further three cows calved in the past week - this leaves only five remaining, hopefully they won’t drag on much longer!
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