Milking On: In some of the milk processor stands at last week’s National Ploughing Championships, there seemed to be a big push to milk cows on this autumn to produce more autumn milk now that quotas are no longer an issue. Let’s be clear: some milk processors would love to see more milk coming at the shoulders because it keeps the plants running and processing costs are diluted. In my view, whether to milk on or not this autumn depends on grass supply, calving date and body condition score. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by having thin cows next spring when your options for managing them are limited.

The old rules still apply. Cows need eight weeks dry and heifers need 10. Thin cows now need more than this to give them enough time to build up body fat reserves. Remember, each milking day in spring is worth two days in autumn as cows produce nearly twice as much in milk solids per day. If milking into the winter reduces condition score, milk yield will be depressed after calving and that cow will take longer to return to heat and has a lower likelihood of going back in calf. The whole cycle then goes backwards, so plan your autumn/winter strategy wisely.

The target condition score at drying off is three, with a range of 2.75 to 3.25. According to the science, only cows below 2.75 need special treatment now. Contrary to some feed sales advice, feeding more meal to these cows while milking should really be the last resort as they will only push out more milk and it will have no benefit to condition score.

Plate meters: More and more farmers seem to be measuring grass with plate meters, moving away from cutting and weighing or eye balling. I’m not too fussed on the method chosen once it is done weekly and decisions are made with the information. However, there is room for error in all methods and no method is correct 100% of the time but, then again, it doesn’t have to be.

If using the plate meter, you need to make sure you are using a correct formula, otherwise the information will be wrong. Some of the electronic plate meters use formulas made for New Zealand swards and they are not particularly relevant to Ireland as densities and dry matters are different.

The Moorepark advice is to presume a cover of 250kg per centimetre of sward height above 4cm. The Jenquip plate meters measure in half centimetres, so if the average height after measuring a paddock is 24 clicks, this is 12cm. Multiply this by 250kg to give 3,000kg for total cover. Deduct 1,500kg to bring it back to available cover and you get a cover of 1,500kg per hectare. Technique is critical when using a plate meter. It must be kept clean and free from friction on the shaft.

At least 30 drops should be taken per paddock and the drops should be vertical – it’s not to be used like a walking stick.