Current growth is sitting at 66kg DM/ha, which is pretty much on par with what we would expect for the time of year, with current demand sitting at 55kg DM/ha. June has been a hugely mixed month, with probably more rain than sunshine.

Last week’s heavy rain saw some silage crops flattened into the ground, and this week farmers are not tedding the same crops for fear that they would be too dry going in to a bale. It’s amazing what the week will do weather wise.

Predicted soil temperatures are between 18-19°C for the most part next week, and with some heavy rainfall set to hit in the form of thunder bursts, we should see growth sustain, if not increase, over the coming days.

For now, it’s about mid-season management and keeping covers right in front of cows. PastureBase Ireland data shows that 36% of farmers are on target with their cover per cow, while a further 36% are too high. This is despite an average of 3.5kg of meal going in to cows.

These farmers need to reevaluate current meal feeding levels. Pre grazing covers need to be kept between 1,300-1,400kg DM/ha to optimise intake and energy levels. Much lower than this and we are compromising intake, any higher and energy levels are going to be hit. The main reason for dropping pre grazing covers below this is for clover stitching or reseeds.

Managing reseeds

May reseeds will have been grazed of late or are now fit to graze. A general recommendation is to allow cover to creep up to 1,300kg DM/ha for the first grazing to ensure there is sufficient root structure, dropping to 1,100kg DM/ha for subsequent grazings to promote tillering and clover establishment.

A good test to ensure sufficient root structure is in place is simply gripping a fistful of grass and pulling, replicating a cow’s tongue wrapping around it. The base of the plant should remain in situ.

Caution needs to be exercised around fertiliser usage this weekend with thunder forecast for many areas, with the recommendation being to hold off until the heaviest rain has parted.

Some farmers may have skipped paddocks in the last rotation owing to good growing conditions, with these paddocks now showing stress as a result. An application of 20 units/acre of N on grass only swards will be required to get these greened up again.

John and Sylvia Powell – Birr, Co Offaly

We got plenty of rain last weekend which helped sustain growth in this hot spell. Surprisingly, heavy ground is still heavy. The rain and heat has really helped to push on reseeds in particular.

First cut silage was harvested in the last week of May, with second cut ground coming on very well. We blanket spread 18-6-12 across much of the milking platform last week when we knew there was ample rainfall coming at the weekend.

With the hot weather this week, we have really been targeting ensuring cows have ample water and shade, with paddocks with the best of both having been selected earlier in the week for today (Wednesday) and tomorrow.

Stocking Rate (cow/ha) 4.1

Growth Rate (kg/day) 62

Average Farm Cover (kg/cow) 189

Yield (l/cow) 22

Fat% 4.81

Protein% 3.71

Milk Solids (kg/cow) 1.93

Concentrates 3

BronwynFitzpatrick – Teagasc Ballyhaise, Co Cavan

We have taken out some paddocks this week as surplus with more to come out next week hopefully. Off the grazing platform, we also harvested second cut silage.

We took 2.2ha out for reseeding last week on the milking platform, with direct drilling used. We used 100kg/acre of granular lime and three bags/acre of 10-10-20.

One paddock is a grass only with the other a grass clover sward, with breeds such as Abergain and Aberchoice used for the grasses and Clodagh and Crusader used for the clover.

Cows are being followed with 20 units/acre of N, with this reduced to 10 units/acre where there is sufficient clover present.

Stocking Rate (cow/ha) 3.4

Growth Rate (kg/day) 84

Average Farm Cover (kg/cow) 193

Yield (l/cow) 22

Fat% 4.74

Protein% 3.66

Milk Solids (kg/cow)

Concentrates 2

Tommie Devine – Frenchpark, Co Roscommon

We have 70 in-calf heifers on the grazing platform owing to the out block being reseeded, which has put some pressure on the system.

Growth dropped there last week which resulted in us going in with additional concentrates in the parlour for the week. We had been feeding 2kg/head/day all year but just increased temporarily.

The main issue is that we completed a lot of pre mowing in the last rotation and while this has helped to maintain quality, cows are flying through paddocks despite pre grazing covers of 1,300-1,400kg DM/ha on them.

We are struggling to get 24 hours out of 36-hour paddocks.

Stocking Rate (cow/ha) 3.55

Growth Rate (kg/day) 104

Average Farm Cover (kg/cow) 172

Yield (l/cow) 23.5

Fat% 4.62

Protein% 3.89

Milk Solids (kg/cow) 2.06

Concentrates 5

William Treacy – Hackballscross, Co Louth

Growth is fairly good again after that rain last week. I did house one batch of bulls to take the pressure off and we should be fine now.

I did graze some heavy covers that I ideally would have liked to take out. These were grazed using a strip wire which was moved every 12 hours.

There are three of four acres that came particularly hairy that are being mowed and baled out this week.

I didn’t complete any topping as we can tend to burn up here in the summer months.

More or less all paddocks have been dressed with fertiliser, with just some of the heavier paddocks to be grazed in the next week left to receive it.

I spread a bag per acre of CAN + S as I felt there were a lot of paddocks that were skipped in the last rotation owing to good growth.

System Suckler to beef

Soil Type Variable

Farm cover (kg/DM/ha) 783

Growth (kg/DM/ha/day) 65

Demand (kg/DM/ha/day) 68

Ger McSweeney – Milstreet, Co Cork

We like the heat here owing to the heavier nature of the ground. When we get heat growth really bounces, so this weather really suits us and takes the pressure off. It’s a great respite from the last few months.

I baled out some stronger paddocks on Monday to keep grass quality high, with some excellent quality bales made in great conditions. This should keep grass under control for a good bit now. When you go ahead of demand it’s a nice place to be

I have ground closed off for second cut, and depending on how we are fixed on the grazing platform I may whip off more bales when that is being cut. I went out with 29-0-14 spread at half bag/acre across nearly all paddocks two weeks ago.

I did need it and you can see the colour in it now. Bull and heifer calves have now been split.

System Suckler to weanling

Soil Type Variable

Farm cover (kg/DM/ha) 796

Growth (kg/DM/ha/day) 65

Demand (kg/DM/ha/day) 51

Mark Maxwell – Ballinagore, Co Westemeath

We are baling silage at the minute with some hay to do to. The silage that is made should be very good quality, while some grass that had been earmarked for silage is now being made in to hay owing to the good weather conditions.

We have surplus grass, with growth just slightly over demand at the minute. Stocking rate seems to be ideal for our current growth conditions as we got no real huge burst in growth.

First cut was done two weeks ago, and we are waiting for better conditions to spread slurry on it – hopefully towards the weekend. We may have to skip and go with just fertiliser, as we need to get a move on with it.

I will hopefully spread some N on grazing ground, with a round of CAN+ S used this time. Most covers are at 1,200kg DM/ha, with graze outs very good.

System Suckler to beef

Soil Type Variable

Farm cover (kg/DM/ha) 985

Growth (kg/DM/ha/day) 63

Demand (kg/DM/ha/day) 55