Grassland management:

Grass growth rates are rising sharply this week. Well-fertilised and young perennial ryegrass swards will experience the greatest jump in growth and if not managed correctly, grass supplies can quickly get ahead of stock. This week’s sheep feature on page 31 details management practices being put in place in the Athenry research demo flock to maintain grass quality.

Steps taken now can be the difference in maintaining high-quality swards and favourable lamb performance. It is not always possible but increasing the group size and grazing out paddocks quicker or reducing the area of ground available to sheep will reap the rewards of higher lamb performance by offering animals access to fresh grass on a regular basis.

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Scald in lambs and water intake in lactating ewes