It was hard to imagine that things could change so rapidly as they have in the last three weeks for farms so badly affected with drought - but they have.

Average growth over the last week for dairy and drystock farmers has been 63kg DM/ha and 47kg DM/ha respectively, with pre-grazing yields in dairy herds sitting at 1,885kg DM/ha, pretty close to where we would want it.

Grass supplies are still highest in the west, but some heavy rainfall has made grazing out these covers in excess of 2,000kg DM/ha challenging.

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The heavy rainfall and strong growth have also resulted in low dry matter grass simply running through cows.

Many farmers are continuing to feed high levels of concentrates and/or silage in order to ensure energy intake levels aren’t compromised.

Pasturebase Ireland figures show that 51% of farms are sitting below 950kg DM/ha. For those operating on dry farms that have no issue grazing into November, supplementation should continue to go in to stretch out this grass as much as possible.

Drystock farms

Drystock farm management will vary depending on grass availability and the enterprise.

Autumn-calving herds and mid-season lambing ewe flocks should be looking to build cover to carry them into the back end of the year, meaning, in many cases, excess stock (store cattle and lambs) need to be moved off to prioritise grass supplies for ewes and cows.

In spring-calving herds where grass supplies are still lacking, it may be best to implement weaning and reduce access to grass for cows.

Cows can be weaned and housed indoors for a week on dry silage or hay and allowed to follow weanlings in a rotation system after this.

Slurry spreading extension

The slurry spreading closed period has been pushed back until 8 October, giving farmers an additional week to spread slurry on farmland owing to the exceptional growth conditions.

Farmers should utilise this window, targeting recently grazed paddocks. Paddocks with low P and K levels are the priority, but recent reseeds will also have the greatest bang for buck in regard to a response.