Our measuring farms recorded grass growth rates of 38kg DM/ha/day this week. Ground conditions have improved in most parts of the country, enabling decent clean-outs.

However, with temperatures beginning to drop off significantly, the 2016 grass growth curve is moving back towards the ten-year average for mid-October, after an erratic grazing season.

Dry farms should be beginning to close up paddocks this week, while heavy farms should have 20-30% of the farm closed for winter at this point. The target is for dry and heavy farms to have 60% closed up by 10 November and 25 October, respectively. This translates to housing dates of 1 December and 15 November for dry and heavy farms respectively.

As of today, average farm cover should be in around 1,100kg DM/ha on farms stocked in excess of 2.5 LU/ha, and 750kg DM/ha where farms are stocked closer to 1.5 LU/ha.

Some farmers have queried us about the possibility of moving back into closed-up paddocks. They have said that recovery behind cattle has been exceptional, there is a big grass surplus and that ground conditions are good.

If we can go back in to a paddock, graze it out before closing and still hit our targets, there shouldn’t be any issues. But common sense is necessary. Do not go back into a paddock at the expense of another one of lighter cover that’s maybe a poor-producing plot. An autumn rotation planner is a dual-purpose tool: extending the season for as long as possible and ensuring that we are ready to hit the ground running in spring. Grazing tight now will act to encourage winter tillering and lead to material of the utmost feeding value come the springtime. Even this slow paddock needs to be eaten before winter.

Think also of where the dry paddocks are on the farm and the possibility of a wet spring. These should be the ones that you’ve closed up first. How valuable could they be next spring? Their job for the winter is done now. While there looks to be a decent cover materialising, growth will flatline soon and it’ll still be there and of good quality come spring time.

Des Beirne

Co Longford

Land type: medium

We recorded a growth rate of 26kg DM/ha/day this week, which I was very disappointed with. After the fine spell of weather I expected more, but I suppose the nights are much cooler, which was probably a factor. Average farm cover is running at 1,020kg DM/ha. All weaned calves are out grazing and settled and we have also bought-in 16 weanling bulls to boost output on the farm.

Most of our dry cows are out on low-lying ground and it’s a big bonus to have the facility to do this. We’re currently running a stocking rate of 3.54 LU/ha on the best ground. We’ll begin to wind down in around a week. I have 10 paddocks closed up to date and envisage that all stock will be housed by 10 November. If the weather turns, this could be closer to 1 November.

We increased maize by 0.5kg and pulled back soya by 0.3kg in our bull ration recently. I have noticed that animals are hitting slaughter targets sooner and are slightly fatter (3= versus 3-).

James Strain

Co Donegal

Land type: heavy

Ground conditions here were diabolical for a period, but things have begun to improve with the current dry spell we’re enjoying. All cows were in during the wet period and there are 14 outside at the moment. That said, I had a contractor put out slurry for me recently and there was quite a bit of damage done to the sod.

While the cattle were in I was buying in silage for the dry cows as opposed to opening my own. It was coming at €20 /bale, delivered.

Bulls and heifers have around one month of grass ahead of them and are receiving 2.5kg and 1kg of meals respectively. They’re on a four-way mix of barley, maize, distillers and hulls. I’ll hopefully get three more weeks at grass out of the heifers and five from the bulls before hopefully selling to a buyer in the yard.

The rain scuppered my paddock-closing plans and at this point I’ve a lot of grass and only seven acres closed up for the winter.

Heinz Eggert

Co Kildare

Land type: heavy

I recorded 44kg DM/ha/day of growth last week. Average farm cover is up at 1,400 DM/ha – there are some very heavy grass covers that I’m working through at present. We’re using strip wires ahead of and behind cattle and thankfully the good weather is lending itself to excellent ground conditions and tight residuals. There are 22 days of grazing ahead of stock and 9% of the farm is closed up as of today (Wednesday).

The final 14 finishing bulls will go next Tuesday. Our first two loads averaged 433 and 429kg, with all bulls grading U.

Creep feeders are in with calves at present and I will begin weaning next Monday. This year we are using a nose-mounted paddle which will prevent calves from suckling. We’ll fit these Monday, remove them Thursday and immediately begin to remove cows from the group. They act to keep calves settled and contented when the time comes to completely wean. I monitor the weight gain between weaning and housing every year and it’ll be interesting to compare 2016 results with previous years.

Ger Dineen

Co Cork

Land type: medium

We grew 49kg DM/ha/day this week. Average farm cover is 1,063kg DM/ha and grazing daily demand is at 38kg DM/ha – there are 28 grazing days ahead of stock. I’m grazing out big covers at the moment in small block-paddocks. With the on-off rain, I was standing cattle on roadways for five or six hours during really wet spells to prevent damage. The final straw came last Monday when I was forced into the house with cattle – the rain was ferocious. They were in for two days and calves were able to creep outside all the while. Things have improved drastically since and ground conditions are now ideal.

I weighed my calves while they were in the yard: bulls have average 1.7kg of daily gain since their last weight, with heifers hitting 1.25. Calves are still creeping ahead of cows at the moment. I can’t get over how much of a paddock the bulls are getting through before the cows come in behind them – they often have a third of it gone.

Grass+ dairy: Good weather and high growth rates

Grass+ dairy:

Grass+ beef: How much grass should I have this week?

Closing should be beginning on dry farms this week and already be in motion on heavier ground