Growth rates across much of the country appear to have tapered off after the sudden burst in growth last week. As expected, air temperatures dipped and the heavy rain in much of the North and Midlands over the weekend made grazing conditions a bit sticky for some farmers.

Average growth rates on the Grass+ farms were 45kg/day, but there was a big variation within these, even in the same county. On farms where growth has exceeded demand, silage area has been closed and some paddocks have been taken out for reseeding. The weather outlook for the next seven days is dry and sunny, but cool, with peak air temperatures of between 10°C and 16°C. Therefore, while growth rates should increase, the rise may not be as high as expected.

Out on farms, most farmers in the southern half of the country are moving quickly through the second rotation, while those further north are only after starting the second round.

Pre-grazing yields of 1,200kg to 1,300kg are widespread and grass quality is excellent.

Cover per cow is the important figure at the moment, as this shows how much grass is available for each cow in the herd. Most people would be comfortable with a cover of between 150kg/cow and 180kg/cow.

Most farmers are now on 24-hour or 36-hour allocations (two or three milkings per paddock). From an animal intake point of view, this is the best option as it gives lower-order cows in the herd, such as heifers, the best chance to get a decent intake of grass, whereas they tend to get bullied more when grazing in 12-hour breaks.

It is also more difficult to correctly allocate grass when on a 12-hour break and there is a higher risk of cows being underfed in the pursuit of tighter grazing residuals.

Fergal Coughlan, Clonakilty Agricultural College, Co Cork

Stocking rate (cows/ha) 4.44

Growth rate (kg/day) 89

Average farm cover (kg/ha) 773

Yield (kg/cow/day) 28.2

Fat % 4.38

Protein % 3.66

Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 0

The grass clover swards are jumping out of the ground at the moment. We recorded a growth rate of 89kg for the past week and so we had to close off a good few paddocks for silage. We have just under 30% now closed, so stocking rate has increased to 4.44 cows/ha and demand is now set at 80kg/day, which is a bit on the high side. We will probably end up cutting a paddock or two for bales in the week after next to lower our demand, just in case growth doesn’t keep up. Cows are milking very well and differences are already emerging between the treatments. See update on page 42.

Donal Patton , Ballyhaise Agricultural Colege, Co Cavan

Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.9

Growth rate (kg/day) 42

Average farm cover (kg/ha) 595

Yield (kg/cow/day) 25

Fat % 4.42

Protein % 3.63

Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 1

Over the past seven days the weather hasn’t gone according to plan. The 30mm of rain on Saturday and Sunday made ground a bit sticky. We were on 36-hour allocations, but by right we should have went back to 12-hour ones. Ground has since firmed up and clean-out has improved. Temperatures are back a good bit on last week, so the growth rate has dropped a bit. We’ve no ground closed for silage yet, but if growth rate picks up we won’t delay closing off 30% or 40% of the area. The plan is to start breeding on 10 May. Cows are showing good signs of heat, but I haven’t started pre-breeding heat detection.

Patrick & Danny Cremin, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick

Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.9

Growth rate (kg/day) 35

Average farm cover (kg/ha) 718

Yield (kg/cow/day) 26

Fat % 4.62

Protein % 3.67

Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 2

The growth rate is a bit lower than expected, but we’re happy enough with how things are going. Pre-grazing yields are comfortable at 1,200kg-1,300kg/ha. Demand is at 42kg/day. We’re still feeding 2kg of meal, but this is just to use up the last of the meal in the bin. When this runs out we’ll be putting magnesium through the water to cover for tetany. Up until now we’ve been spreading urea, but we’re going to spread 1.5 bags of 18:6:12 after the cows for this rotation. We’re delighted with how well the cows are milking, considering they were milked once a day up until 1 April for quota reasons.

Richard Starrett, Lifford, Co Donegal

Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.7

Growth rate (kg/day) 27

Average farm cover (kg/ha) 587

Yield (kg/cow/day) 26

Fat % 3.98

Protein % 3.44

Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 3

Our average growth rate is 27kg/day this week. We measured a growth rate of 12kg up on the hills and 46kg/day down on the better fields. We are stocked at 2.7 cows/ha this week. We have 130 calved and 24 more cows to calve. We are still on first-round grazing and have another 10 days left in the first round. Cows are getting 3kg of meal. They are milking well at 26 litres/cow at 3.98% fat and 3.44% protein (2.0kg MS/cow/day). The covers left are between 1,000kg and 1,500kg. Our wedge is flat with a lot of covers at 850kg for the second round of grazing. Bulling starts here on 5 May.