With the notable exception of the northwest, most places have seen a fall in growth this week as soil moisture deficits (SMDs) continue to restrict recovery.

The outlook is for above average rainfall nationwide for the week ahead, and this should boost growth in areas that are already green but no significant improvement can be expected on drier farms.

There are three types of farms: farms that are back growing normally for this time of year, farms that have received some rain and are green but are not yet growing more than 25-30kg/day, and finally those farms continuing to experience severe SMDs with little or no growth.

These different scenarios require different management now.

On farms with adequate moisture growing normally, continue to measure weekly and extend rotation length by two to three days per week to build up grass supply over the next month.

Aim to bring average farm cover to 900kg DM/ha next week and to 1,100kg DM/ha for mid-to-late September. If not already done during August, these farms should now bulk spread 20-25kgN/ha and can expect a good grass growth response to build grass supply for autumn.

The second cohort of farms are green with good quality grass but with only modest growth rates (25-40kg/day). These farms should measure growth this week and again after the weekend.

These farms should also apply dilute slurry or dirty water, if available, to boost recovery.

If 20ml or more rainfall is received in the next few days, these farms should slow rotation to 50 days, continue to feed half of the diet as supplements for the next 10 days and get as much grass as possible back on the farm over the next three weeks. These farms should bulk spread 20-25kgN/ha next week to boost recovery.

On farms with little or no growth this week, maintain a 30-40 day rotation length, graze off paddocks with high residuals and continue to feed the herd 18 to 20kg per day between grass, silage and rations.

While SMDs may be reduced during this week, there will be no significant recovery in growth. These farms should hold off on fertiliser application until 10 days after significant rainfall is recorded.

Swardwatch

  • All farms should hold round length at 30 to 40 days for the week ahead.
  • Clean off any paddocks with poor quality residuals to boost regrowth after rain.
  • Farms growing in excess of 40kg DM/day should apply 20-25kg N now, stretch rotation length by keeping feed in the diet and quickly build average farm cover to 900kg DM/ha by 1 September.

    • Dairy Farmers

    Jerry Foley – Ballyhooley, Co Cork

    Growth has dropped again this week after the rain we got three weeks ago had started to improve things. We are on a 32 day rotation.

    The cows are eating 5kg of silage at milking, 6kg of grass and have ad-lib access to straights in the paddock.

    The farm is green but any parts that were not baled during the year have some dead material on them.

    I am grazing these off at the moment to clean them up. We have spread no fertiliser on the platform since early July so we intend to spread 25kg of protected urea next week.

    We are scanning the herd this week to get a better idea about culling, heading into the autumn.

    Stocking rate (LU/ha) 2.3

    Growth (kg/ha) 23

    Average farm cover (kg/ha) 514

    Yield (l/cow) 19.3

    Fat (%) 6.01

    Protein (%) 4.21

    Milk solids (kg/cow) 2.0

    Concentrates (kg/cow) 4

    Brian McCracken – Newtownards, Co Down

    We’ve had 50ml of rain over the last three weeks so the farm is green and quality is good but growth is still lower than normal.

    Rotation length is 32 days and pre-grazing yield is 1450kgDM/ha. We have a slightly lower stocking rate than normal this year which has suited in the dry conditions.

    We have enough winter feed in stock for four months. We hope to get rain this week and plan to spread 25kgN/ha in 10 days’ time.

    As well as meal, the herd are on 3kg of silage and 13kg of grass.

    Breeding has gone well with 85% in-calf in six weeks. We will cull any surplus cows next month.

    Stocking rate (LU/ha) 2.3

    Growth (kg/ha) 37

    Average farm cover (kg/ha) 708

    Yield (l/cow) 21.0

    Fat (%) 4.85

    Protein (%) 3.88

    Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.9

    Concentrates (kg/cow) 4

    Fergal Burke – Kilmaley, Co Clare

    Growth has fallen from 56kg last week. Rotation length is 30 days and pre-grazing yield is 1,350kg DM/ha.

    Grass quality is generally good and we have 8.5tDM grown year to date. I have a small third cut of silage to make and hopefully should then have enough winter feed for five months.

    We are spreading 25kgN/ha at the moment after grazing and will continue to do this into September. We have 160kgN spread this year so far. The cows are on 14kg of grass in addition to the parlour ration.

    I’m planning to introduce 2kg of silage before the weekend. We want to build cover to 1,050kg/ha by mid-September.

    Stocking rate (LU/ha) 3.5

    Growth (kg/ha) 47

    Average farm cover (kg/ha) 720

    Yield (l/cow) 21.0

    Fat (%) 4.15

    Protein (%) 3.75

    Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.7

    Concentrates (kg/cow) 5