Growth rates for the last seven days have held steady in comparison with last week, with the same average of 61kg DM/ha/day being recorded across the country.
Growth in the north-west remains to the forefront, with rates of 75kg DM/ha/day in parts of the north and rates in the high-60s in the west. The east and south still lag behind at 52kg DM/ha/day.
It is hard to believe that there is still a massive variation in moisture availability between farms in different parts of the country. Along the west coast, the north and right into the midlands, many farmers are commenting that they have received ample rainfall – so much so that land would very quickly turn sticky should much more fall. After the weekend’s rain, many fields in the west, in Donegal and in the midlands had a small level of surface water resting on top of the ground. It is in these parts that growth rates have peaked, with moisture and high soil temperatures combining.
On the flip side, there is still a pocket of the country where the idea of surface water seems some distance away.
Land in parts of Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, Kilkenny and Carlow is still partially burned with extremely low levels of rain falling in comparison with the rest of the country. This is subsequently reflected in grass growth, with growth in these counties down at a dismal 42kg DM/ha/day.
Despite growth rates being lower in some parts of the country than others,they are certainly headed in the right direction for all.
For those not measuring grass, it is still not too late to begin. Two weeks of measuring will provide you with an accurate growth rate on the farm while only one week’s measuring will be sufficient to inform you of your average farm cover.
With more pressure riding on autumn grazing than ever before, a weekly grass measurement could be a key factor in extending autumn grazing or taking out heavy covers to make extra bales for the winter.
This week
Average farm cover: 370kg DM/LU on 22 August.Taking out surpluses: > 2,100kg DM/ha (>12cm).Spread fertiliser: response 30% greater in August v September . Read more
Grass+ dairy: hit and miss rain determines growth
Growth rates for the last seven days have held steady in comparison with last week, with the same average of 61kg DM/ha/day being recorded across the country.
Growth in the north-west remains to the forefront, with rates of 75kg DM/ha/day in parts of the north and rates in the high-60s in the west. The east and south still lag behind at 52kg DM/ha/day.
It is hard to believe that there is still a massive variation in moisture availability between farms in different parts of the country. Along the west coast, the north and right into the midlands, many farmers are commenting that they have received ample rainfall – so much so that land would very quickly turn sticky should much more fall. After the weekend’s rain, many fields in the west, in Donegal and in the midlands had a small level of surface water resting on top of the ground. It is in these parts that growth rates have peaked, with moisture and high soil temperatures combining.
On the flip side, there is still a pocket of the country where the idea of surface water seems some distance away.
Land in parts of Cork, Tipperary, Limerick, Kilkenny and Carlow is still partially burned with extremely low levels of rain falling in comparison with the rest of the country. This is subsequently reflected in grass growth, with growth in these counties down at a dismal 42kg DM/ha/day.
Despite growth rates being lower in some parts of the country than others,they are certainly headed in the right direction for all.
For those not measuring grass, it is still not too late to begin. Two weeks of measuring will provide you with an accurate growth rate on the farm while only one week’s measuring will be sufficient to inform you of your average farm cover.
With more pressure riding on autumn grazing than ever before, a weekly grass measurement could be a key factor in extending autumn grazing or taking out heavy covers to make extra bales for the winter.
This week
Average farm cover: 370kg DM/LU on 22 August.Taking out surpluses: > 2,100kg DM/ha (>12cm).Spread fertiliser: response 30% greater in August v September . Read more
Grass+ dairy: hit and miss rain determines growth
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