Grass growth continues to exceed demand on Tullamore Farm, with 94kg/DM/ha being recorded over the past seven days. This is the third week in a row where daily growth has exceeded 90kg. As a result, 75 surplus bales have been made over the past month in a bid to keep quality grass ahead of stock.

There are currently 14 days of grass ahead of stock

The farm is stocked at 4.22 LU/ha and demand is running at 62kg/DM/ha. This is probably at peak now as recently reseeded swards start to come back into the rotation. There are 14 days of grass ahead of stock, which is a little on the high side, so the heaviest cover, which has 2,000kg/DM/ha (12cm), will come out this week if weather allows.

Current grass wedge on Tullamore Farm (6 June 2017).

Some 47ac of silage is ready to be cut and it was planned to happen on Tuesday but weather disrupted this. It looks like it will have to wait another few days until dry weather returns. Another 17ac will be ploughed this week on the home farm and 10ac will also be sprayed off in preparation to sow kale.

Calves weighed

Suckler calves were weighed on 1 June and bull calves weighed 155kg and have gained 1.32kg/day since birth. Heifer calves weighed 146kg and gained 1.28kg/day since birth. Average date of birth for all calves was 9 March. February-born calves weighed 177kg, March-born calves weighed 137kg and April-born calves weighed 111kg.

Some 61 dairy X HE and AA heifer calves (pictured) were also weighed on 25 May and they weighed on average 86kg. Average date of birth for the dairy calves is 4 March 2017. They have gained 0.62/kg/day since birth and have gained 0.88kg/day since 24 April.

All calves are currently grazing a recently reseeded sward close to the yard, with 41 calves fully weaned and 20 calves on once-a-day milk feeding.

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All reports from Tullamore Farm