During the past seven days rainfall was above normal across Leinster, Munster and much of Connacht, with generally 120 to 355% of average, and as much as 60.7mm of rainfall recoded at Johnstown Castle, Wexford.

The outlook is for above average rainfall nationwide for the week ahead, and this should further boost regrowth as most places have greened up quickly over the last few days.

Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) are generally between 30 and 50mm across Leinster and much of Munster, so ground remains hard and growth will continue to be restricted in places. Elsewhere, SMDs are lower, ranging from 0-26mm.

With more unsettled weather in the coming week, SMDs will decrease further across the country.

Most farms have observed a big change in colour over the weekend as new growth emerges after recent rain. However, the extent of the recovery will vary, and drier parts will require another week before any significant regrowth is observed.

All farms should extend rotation length this week to 40 days to take advantage of whatever growth arises. The objective should be to put as much grass back on the farm as possible over the next four weeks.

Daily growth under normal conditions is 50-60kgDM/ha in September, falling to 40kg in October and 20kg in November. Similar to 2018, we may get some compensatory daily growth rates of up to 75kg over the next three weeks arising from the drought in previous weeks.

Continue to measure grass weekly and extend rotation length by two to three days per week to build up grass supply. The aim should be to increase average farm cover by 150kg DM/ha per week by continuing to feed concentrates and silage for the next two weeks.

The longer-term benefit of feeding more now will be to go slowly for the next two weeks to maximise recovery and extend the grazing season into late autumn.

Maximise recovery by grazing off any paddocks with stem or decaying material first. Try to get pre-grazing yield back to 1,350 to 1,500kgDM/ha on greener paddocks before grazing and ensure post-grazing residuals of 4cm are achieved.

Swardwatch

  • Increase round length to 40 days for the week ahead, build grass cover as quickly as possible and give green paddocks time to get to get back to 1,300kgDM/ha.
  • Clean off any paddocks with poor quality residuals first to boost regrowth after rain.
  • Keep post-grazing residuals to 4cm.
  • Aim to increase average farm cover by 150kg DM/ha per week.

    • Dairy farmers

    Conor Creedon – Rathmore, Co Kerry

    Growth has increased from 65kg last week. We got 60ml of rain last week and it’s like having a second spring.

    I’m happy with grass quality and pre-grazing yield is 1,200kg DM/ha. We are aiming for a 30 day rotation will build farm cover to 1,000kg DM/ha over the next 10 days.

    Cows are on 3kg of silage at milking and 9kg grass. I hope to be back to 4kg ration and zero silage next week. We applied 16 units N per acre over the last two weeks and 1,200 gallons of slurry after grazing.

    We have no culling done and I think we will be able to build grass without selling cows. We have 10t grass grown so far, up a little compared to other years.

    Stocking rate (LU/ha) 3.4

    Growth (kg/ha) 80

    Average farm cover (kg/ha) 730

    Yield (l/cow) 16.5

    Fat (%) 5.17

    Protein (%) 4.08

    Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.6

    Concentrates (kg/cow) 6

    Brian Hogan – Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary

    We got 45ml of rain which has regreened the farm, and heavier areas are growing 70-80kg DM/day.

    We are milking once a day since early July. Pre-grazing yields are low at 800kg DM/ha but grass quality is good.

    I have been grazing one paddock each day for the last six weeks. As well as ration, cows are getting 5kg of grass and 10kg of silage.

    I will house the herd and give them half a paddock to graze to build grass. I will sell 5-6% of the herd between empty cows and culls.

    I spread 25 units of N per acre two weeks ago after 10ml of rainfall and will spread a further 30 units of protected urea plus sulphur in 10 days.

    Stocking rate (LU/ha) 3.0

    Growth (kg/ha) 30

    Average farm cover (kg/ha) 291

    Yield (l/cow) 16.0

    Fat (%) 6.45

    Protein (%) 4.54

    Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.6

    Concentrates (kg/cow) 6

    Pat Hennessy – Athy, Co Kildare

    We’ve had 55ml of rain so the farm is back green again. I housed the cows last Wednesday and will keep them there for two more weeks.

    My aim is to get farm cover up to 900kgDM/ha by 1 October. We’ll have no problem using any grass we grow over the next few months as the farm is dry and suited to extended grazing.

    We pre-mowed and grazed our second cut silage area which kept feed costs down. We have applied no N since 19 June and we have 158kg N/ha spread so far.

    We put out the last of the dairy soiled water over the last 10 days. We have enough silage so are not planning to cull cows yet.

    Stocking rate (LU/ha) 3.0

    Growth (kg/ha) 40

    Average farm cover (kg/ha) 200

    Yield (l/cow) 15.5

    Fat (%) 5.40

    Protein (%) 3.96

    Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.5

    Concentrates (kg/cow) 6