The Grass Week: growth set to rise with improved soil temperatures

Farmers will be glad to see some more improved weather conditions hit the Irish coast over the next few days. How long it will last is unknown, but it has come as many farms are reaching a pinch point with grass growth and supplies. PastureBase Ireland figures show the majority of farms to be in a comfortable position, but the feeling among many farmers, particularly those west of the Shannon, is that growth has been well below what is expected for the time of year. Paddocks with a cover of grass on them have continued growing, but recently grazed paddocks have been particularly slow to bounce back. Older swards have also been hardest hit, while clover hasn’t been giving the same boost to swards owing to colder soil temperatures.

On the east, growth has been improving with recent rainfall. Growth had been stalled due to a lack of rainfall, with recent rain coming just in time. The rainfall has made silage harvesting a stop-start approach, but it has also allowed farmers who have managed to get ground cut to get slurry out and washed in well ahead of the drier weather forecast.

Fertiliser

With grass growth having been relatively poor of late, it’s important that paddocks are fertilised enough to utilise the improved growing conditions ahead. 0.8-1 units/acre of N/day should suffice, which equals 16-20 units for a 20-day round.

Paddocks with a high clover content in them can generally see application rates halved. An application of very watery slurry or parlour washings works well for a lot of farmers

While many farmers will skip a round of fertiliser mid-season, it is not advisable in the coming weeks. Firstly, with good growth there will be a greater utilisation of fertiliser. Secondly, grass will begin heading out in the next two weeks or so, with a lack of nitrogen in a sward generally leading to this issue being exasperated.

Paddocks with a high clover content in them can generally see application rates halved. An application of very watery slurry or parlour washings works well for a lot of farmers.