PastureBase Ireland figures this week see drystock farmers recording an average growth rate of 50kg DM/ha, with the below farmers recording in excess of that in cases.

The average farmer that is measuring grass is likely ahead of target and can likely afford to take out surplus, which will aid in keeping grass quality under control.

However, many farmers who are not measuring grass growth have been stating that growth is not where it should be, with soil temperatures still relatively cool for the time of year.

Recently grazed paddocks appear to be the worst affected, and growing that first third (500kg DM/ha) is taking significantly longer than normal for mid-May.

The first thing to look at is if nitrogen requirements have been met of late. Where there hasn’t been a application of N in the last 20 days or so, it is worth applying a top up to try and kick growth off.

If conditions are extremely dry, watery slurry (ideally from outdoor tanks) usually works better than chemical N and can be applied at 2,000 gallon/acre approximately using LESS.

Mowing out surplus

For those farmers in the happy situation of being in a surplus and are looking to mow out paddocks, nutrients need to be returned back on to these paddocks.

Applying either slurry or compound fertiliser will help return the nutrients taken off in surplus bales, 1 tonne DM (roughly 4.5 bales) requiring 4 kg P and 25 kg K to be put back in replacement. Applying 1,000 gallons/acre of slurry to paddocks where four bales/acre should provide P and K requirements, 1,500 gallons for six bales/acre etc.

Farmers

Shane McGuinness – Newford Herd, Co Roscommon

Grass growth has picked up the last few weeks, and as a result we removed three paddocks as surplus bales last week with a further three gone strong. We will likely pit any surplus paddocks in the next few weeks alongside the first cut silage, simply because the surplus bales are very expensive to make.

The next three will be let bulk up and will be put into the pit along with our first cut towards the end of May, as we aren’t short of grass with growth above demand. Our yearling bullocks and heifers are grazing heavy covers of 1,400kg DM/ha and cleaning them out well.

We have entered into the fourth week of breeding with the majority of cows now receiving their first serve.

The improvement in weather has been a big help after the spring, with cows showing good heats.

System Suckler to beef

Soil Type Variable

Farm cover (kg/DM/ha) 661

Growth (kg/DM/ha/day) 46

Demand (kg/DM/ha/day) 38

Shaun Diver Tullamore Farm, Co Offaly

Grass is flying it in Tullamore and we got a good boost over the last two weeks with a growth of 60 kg DM/ha exceeding demand by 16 kg DM/ha.

First cut silage in on target for cutting the last week of May with the forage rye now harvested and yielded well. We have 13 acres of spring barley sown and 5 acres of a whole crop mix also sown consisting of 50% peas with the remainder barley and oats.

Breeding is going well with 42 out of 65 cows served on top of the 39 heifers served on a fixed time AI program at the start of breeding. Nine heifers have repeated from the FTAI program, which would indicate a conception rate of 70% across both the sexed and conventional semen, but we won’t know this exactly until we scan later on in the summer.

System Suckler to beef

Soil Type Variable

Farm cover (kg/DM/ha) 987

Growth (kg/DM/ha/day) 60

Demand (kg/DM/ha/day) 49

Willie Treacy – Hackballscross, Co Louth

Growth is going OK at the moment. We had a big wedge of grass built up over the spring as a result of the poor winter and late turnout of cattle. That extra grass has been a big help over the last week.

We still had a few heavy covers but grazed through them well. There is one paddock closed up for surplus bales and it will be cut in a couple of weeks.

Our first cut silage is ready to go and will be started in the next few days if weather conditions allow.

Cattle are currently grazing 24-hour breaks which helps when it comes to heavier covers. Our 50 dairy beef calves are looking well and are in the final stages of weaning, with the target being to have all weaned in the next two weeks. It was our first year with automatic feeders and it’s worked out very well.

System Suckler to beef

Soil Type Variable

Farm cover (kg/DM/ha) 923

Growth (kg/DM/ha/day) 59

Demand (kg/DM/ha/day) 75