Grass growth averaged 77kg DM/ha/day this week on the programme farms. The high pressure weather system has brought plenty of fine weather which has really improved grazing conditions on the heavier farms after some heavy showers last week.

With the fine weather grass growth rates have improved. Re-growth on silage ground and grazed paddocks has been rapid where fertilizer has been recently applied. Some of the programme farmers have reported that even in well managed ryegrass swards, grass is now turning to stem as it produces a seed head.

For some farms that only require one cut of silage due to a carryover of fodder reserves from last year, as well as additional acres from the grazing block harvested this year, there will be a requirement to top grass after this rotation where stocking rates are less intensive.

Cost

While topping will remove headed out grass and ensure a fresh, palatable re-growth in the next grazing, it does add cost to the system. While it is cheaper than producing bales, there is often grass going to waste. Some of the farmers are topping one day in advance of stock moving onto the next paddock in an effort to get cattle to clean up the grass clippings.

On higher stocked farms, or farms with multiple livestock groups, the lower priority groups are cleaning out paddocks instead of topping. For this to work, the farmers are running larger groups of dry cows or sheep. Having temporary paddocks is also necessary as the electric wire can be moved to suit the group size and force cows to eat off the rejected grass.

In such a scenario, the programme advisers are stressing the importance of moving cows on before they start to graze off the re-growth. Once grass is grazed down to the plant base, it will start to regrow after three to four days. Therefore, cows are only getting a maximum of two days to clean out paddocks which is why group size and paddock size is important.

In contrast, some of the farms operating on very dry ground have short-term stocking rates on their grazing platform of more than 6.0LU/ha by closing off ground for cutting.

Taking a 650kg cow with 150kg calf at foot at the outlined stocking density means that grazing demand on these farms is approximately 90kg DM/ha/day which is matching the grass growth on these farms. As a result, there is little grass surplus building and no requirement for topping.

  • Grass growth averaged 77kg DM/ha/day this week.
  • Grazing rotations are being maintained at 12 to 18 days depending on land type and stocking rate.
  • Grass is now heading out in well managed ryegrass swards.
  • Lower stocked farms are topping paddocks in this rotation to maintain sward quality.
  • Some farms are topping the day before cattle are due to be moved to reduce wasted grass.
  • On dry farms, stocking rates are being increased so that grass demand matches growth rate.

    • Dates for diary

  • Wednesday 9 July – National BETTER Farm programme open day hosted by Tom Halpin, Carlanstown Co Meath. Farm walks start at 2pm and 6pm.
  • Thursday 24 July – National BETTER Farm programme open day hosted by Mike Dillane, Lixnaw, Co Kerry. Farm walks start at 2pm and 6pm.