Grass grown on Irish farms this year is back 40% (3.9t DM/ha) compared to 2017. The figures are based on grass measurements entered into Pasturebase, the Teagasc grass measurement programme.
According to Teagasc’s Michael O’Donovan, the data is based on a matched sample of 190 farms. The range between the farms is from 1t DM/ha to 5t DM/ha back on last year.
Soil moisture deficits continue to affect the southeast, with average soil moisture deficits between 40mm and 50mm.