This is a subscriber-only article
We are busy reseeding some of the older paddocks on the grazing block this week. Grass growth is running well ahead of livestock demand, so we are in a position to take a couple of paddocks out of the rotation and sow them out with new swards.
This is the second bit of reseeding we have done this year, having sown out 10ac of new grass on 28 May. All swards are being reseeded by ploughing, followed by harrowing and levelling soils before drilling grass.
As grassland is being ploughed, we can make use of the manure from our poultry enterprise, which is excellent at conditioning soil and maintaining fertility levels.
The grass seed we are using is a mix of Aber grass varieties that are high in sugars. As we have our own machinery for the task at hand, we are doing the reseeding work ourselves, rather than bringing in a contractor.
Grass growth rising
In early May, we were running a small deficit on the grazing block. But after getting some rain towards the end of the month, plus a rise in temperatures, grass growth is now running well ahead of demand.
We have taken out some surplus grass as silage, with 30 bales saved so far. To try and keep grass under control, we have increased the grazing pressure by making sure groups are as big as possible.
This is helping cattle get around paddocks faster and cuts down on having to take out too many bales. Taking out paddocks for reseeding is also helping to balance grazing demand with growth at the minute.
Grazing days ahead
As of the weekend, we have around 13 days ahead of cattle, which is manageable. Grazing days ahead are likely to increase as temperatures pick up again this week, following the rain we got last weekend.
Sward quality
We sampled some grass from the grazing block on 27 May. The results show that swards are providing plenty of good-quality forage at present, which is driving cattle performance.
Dry matter (DM) was 19.8%, with crude protein at 20.4% and energy at 12 ME. The NI average results for the outlined figures during May were 18% DM, 17.9% protein and 11.6 ME.
First-cut silage
First-cut silage was harvested in two lots, with a total of 88ac ensiled. The first crop was cut and lifted on 15 May. The remainder was ensiled one week later on 22 May.
Grass was harvested just before the really warm weather in late May. To get grass wilted properly, it was left for 36 hours before lifting.
As with the reseeding work, we ensiled the bulk of the silage using our own machinery. This gives us the flexibility to harvest grass when conditions suit, just prior to swards heading out.
Second-cut closed off
The same ground has now been closed off for harvesting second-cut in late July. We went with 2,500 gallons per acre of watery slurry and topped this up with 50 units of nitrogen.
Some of the slurry was applied with a dribble bar, as we were getting concerned about the lack of moisture last month. Since slurry went out, there has been rain and the dribble bar lines are breaking down nicely. There should be no risk of bringing any trash back in to the pit with second-cut.
Breeding season for spring-calving herd underway
The breeding season got underway back in mid-May. This year, we are running three groups of cows along with an additional group of maiden heifers.
The first batch of cows consists of 25 animals and they are running with a Simmental stock bull. The second group of cows has 24 animals and they are running with a Stabiliser bull.
The final group of cows has 14 animals and they are running with our new Stabiliser bull, who was purchased earlier this spring.
Heifers
There are 32 replacement heifers being bred this year. Rather than running with the stock bull, these animals were served to AI on Saturday 16 May.
To aid heat detection, the group was synchronised and inseminated as one batch. These animals are now running as one group with a Limousin stock bull to cover any repeats.
The bulls selected for AI include the Angus sires Gizmo and Mikado, along with a Salers bull, Spiddal Pat. All bulls are proven for calving ease and have good maternal traits.
Animal health
So far, we have held off on dosing calves, as the dry grazing conditions meant they had few issues with worms building up on pasture.
But after the rain at the weekend and temperatures starting to rise again, calves and young cattle will be more prone to picking up worms now. The plan is to start dosing calves over the coming days with a pour-on product for convenience.
Flies are now becoming more of an issue. As a means of controlling them, we are using the Flectron ear tags for the cows.
This is our first time trying the tags and I think they will be better than using some of the garlic lick buckets on the market. With the tags, all cows are covered, but with the buckets, not all cows will use the lick, so there will be animals left susceptible to flies.
SHARING OPTIONS: