Rolling damaged paddocks

I have seen a few rollers out this week rolling grazing land. This isn’t the best option and will only lead to compression and compaction of grazing fields. Research has shown that compaction can reduce grass growth by as much as 50%.

In cases where minor damage has occurred, don’t do anything. Try to graze the next time in dry conditions and cows will do the repair job. Where more damage has occurred, spread some grass seed when the paddock is dry, just before cows come out. Cows will help to press seed into ground with hooves. Using a chain harrow to repair severely damaged paddocks is a better option. This will help to rejuvenate paddock. Don’t roll. Where severe damage has taken place, look at the option of reseeding.

ANC deadline

Farmers who summer-graze stock and wish to obtain the ANC payment need to have stock purchased before the end of May. There is a seven-month retention period on stock to meet the criteria for the ANC payment.

If you have stock for the full 12 months of 2018, then the average stocking rate for the year needs to be 0.15 LU/ha. If you purchase stock in May, you will need to hold on to them until 1 January 2018. The minimum stocking rate for those seven months will need to be at least 0.26LU/ha to give a year average of at least 0.15LU/ha.

An animal over six months of age and below two years of age is counted as 0.6LU and an animal over two years old is counted as 1LU. For example, If you have 15ha and you purchase cattle in May and keep them until 1 January 2018, you will need to purchase seven weanlings/store cattle or four animals over two years old to meet the criteria.

Contact your agricultural adviser if in doubt.

Getting ready for silage

While silage may be a few weeks away for some farms, where silage fields were not grazed, it is just around the corner.

Silage crops will utilise two units of nitrogen/day during good growing conditions. For a silage crop that was closed and fertilised with 90-100 units of nitrogen, it will take six weeks or more to use up the nitrogen in the sward.

Very high levels of nitrate in the crop at harvest can affect ensilability and lead to feeding issues. If in doubt, you should consider having silage tested for nitrates before harvesting. A good wilt will help to reduce nitrate problems.

The next weather window is likely to be very busy for silage contractors. Have you the silage pit cleaned out and ready for this year’s crop? Are all effluent channels working properly?

A good safety tip is to trim the grass verge around gaps where machinery is coming out on to the main road to increase driver visibility.

BPS Amendments

Don’t forget you can add or take land off your BPS application by completing an online amendment form before 31 May.