Grass-growing conditions are close to perfect for the time of year in many parts of the country. Soil temperatures are up, soil-moisture deficits are close to zero, and the weather hasn’t yet turned too cold.

In the space of a month, many farms have now gone from struggling to having plentiful supplies. The right thing was done by continuing to feed heavily with silage and supplement. Grass has now been built, and there should be a good bank to carry farms through to late November.

In terms of grass targets, where stocking rates are between 2.5 cows and 3 cows/ha, the target should be a farm cover of around 1,100kg to 1,200kg DM/ha by the last week of September.

On heavy farms or those in areas with higher rainfall, this target should be hit by now. Going above that target will only result in grass becoming very difficult to manage and utilise.

If cover is getting higher, one or two paddocks should be taken out for surplus bales to correct the wedge.

Unhappy cows

As was expected after the drought, the flush of nitrogen in swards has soured grass. Cows aren’t content grazing what would normally be considered perfect, leafy covers with good pre-grazing yields.

Cow’s intakes are down on that type of grass, and residuals are poor. This is an unavoidable consequence of weather in the last month, and it’s a wave that needs riding out.

Some farms are benefiting from keeping fibre in the diet, whether it’s a kilo or two of silage, soya hulls or some straw.

On top of high-nitrogen grass, dry matter is low, so whatever cows are actually eating is running through them quickly.

Where possible, get some fibre into the diet to keep cows from getting empty and hungry, and slow down the passage of feed.

Cow health

Out on farms this week, and speaking to farmers at the ploughing, it appears there’s been an increase in the number of health issues affecting cows.

Nitrate poisoning and bloat have been two issues of note, and it’s worth remaining vigilant of them over the coming weeks.

In paddocks with high clover levels, bloat oil in the water is one option. Another option is a breakfast break or a 12-hour break to stop cows selectively grazing the clover.