Reseeding: With continued dry weather and strong grass growth rates, it may be worth carrying out reseeding or drainage work. Where the number of grazing days ahead of stock are 14 or above and silage aftermath will re-join the rotation in the next four to six weeks, it is a good time to take ground out. However, if you are lowly stocked, then applying lime or improving P and K levels should be the first port of call. Target the paddocks or fields that produce the least volume of grass and burn off. Once sprayed off, leave for at least seven days before baling or grazing swards bare.

Stitching in grass seed will result in the least ground disturbance and offer the best ability to graze again with heavy stock, but establishment will be slower than a conventional plough and reseed. When selecting grass seed, try to keep heading dates to within a week. The ratio of diploid to tetraploid varieties should vary depending on the soil type and whether the crop will be grazed or cut for silage. Consider using more diploid varieties on heavy land to give a better ground cover. Teagasc advises that there should be at least 3kg of each grass variety in each mix. The ideal seeding rate is approximately 14kg/acre. Lime should be applied at a rate of 2-3t/acre to neutralise the acidification of the rotting dead matter and improve soil pH. In addition two to three bags of a high P and K fertiliser, such as 10-10-20, should be applied to encourage root establishment. Correct timing of a post-emergence spray will be critical for weed control.

Fertiliser on silage ground: With a lot of silage harvested and much more to be done in the coming weeks, those who are thinking of closing for a second cut should plan their fertiliser inputs now. Slurry should be applied first, then leave about a week before using chemical fertilisers to reduce nitrogen losses. As grass growth and yields in the second crop are generally lower, the advice is to apply 60 units N on old pasture and no more than 80 units N per acre on perennial ryegrass swards. It is essential that the nitrogen contained in the slurry is taken into account. Teagasc estimates that spreading slurry in summer conditions will result in about half the nitrogen being available when compared to early spring allocations. Every 1,000 gals of cattle slurry spread in the summer months will supply about four units N, five units of P and 35 units of K.

Clostridial booster: The turnout for most cattle was later this year in many cases than previous years. As a result, routine works such as administering the clostridial vaccine were also delayed. Remember that when you are vaccinating calves, a booster shot is required about four to six weeks after administering the primary shot. For full protection, ensure that the booster shot is given in a timely fashion. If autumn-born bull calves are due to be castrated, they should receive a clostridial vaccine in advance of castration.