Grass: If going by the weather, one would think grass isn’t growing much at all, but actual growth rates are good, averaging 72kg/day according to figures compiled by Stephen Connolly. The weather for the past while has been cool and dry with a harsh easterly wind – not very pleasant. However, the two main weather variables affecting grass growth are soil temperatures and the availability of soil moisture.

Soil temperatures are high, running about 2°C higher than normal, which is definitely helping grass growth. Wind chill doesn’t affect soil temperatures. The next question is if there is enough moisture in the soil? Soil moisture deficits are highest in the east coast, running at between 40mm and 50mm in east Leinster. Elsewhere, soil moisture deficits are between 10mm and 40mm depending on soil type. A deficit of 50mm is getting dry but is unlikely to be restricting grass growth just yet. However, with no rain in the forecast, farmers in these parts should be getting conservative on grass and aim to be at the higher end of the average farm cover targets such as closer to 200kgDM/cow than 150kgDM/cow.

With warmer temperatures over the next few days, grass growth should increase everywhere. See more on managing May grass on pages 28, 29 and 31.

Breeding: As we are now in the peak AI period, a number of things should be taken into account. Firstly, continue to keep your distance from AI technicians. Secondly, if using sexed semen on cows, make sure the straw is handled correctly and the cow is inseminated at the right time, which is 14 to 20 hours after the onset of standing heat. This will help to maximise conception rate with sexed semen.

The third thing is that if using tail paint to pick up heats, it must be applied correctly and topped up regularly. The tail paint will not necessarily be rubbed off every cow that is in heat. This is especially the case later in the season when bulling activity decreases. If the paint is not topped up often enough it will be impossible to know if some paint is missing because the cow was mounted, or because it’s just peeling off. Furthermore, if too much paint is applied over a larger area, a smaller proportion will be removed every time a cow is mounted, making it harder to identify the cow that is only mounted two or three times. Correctly applying tail paint is a skill in itself. Some farmers have moved towards scratch cards, particularly after the first three weeks.

Calves: The oldest calves should be out at grass and thriving in this weather. Whether or not to feed meal depends on calf liveweight and grass quality. In most cases calves should be OK without meal, but there is an advantage to feeding some level of meal in terms of herding calves and being able to quickly detect a calf off-form. It’s a bit early to dose for worms yet. It’s better for calves to develop exposure and start to build up some resistance before going in with a dose. Watch out for signs of coccidiosis, which can come on calves quickly. Move feed troughs regularly and fence off dirty areas where calves have been lying.

Read more

Grass+: walk the farm every five days

Slow grass growth on Dairylink farms