All of the clever economists will tell you that the only way to get the economy out of a slump is through growth, and if the economy stagnates then there is no way of recovering past losses.

I think in many ways farming is quite similar. We have come through nine or 10 months of really severe weather, and most of us are completely out of silage. Quite a few of us (myself included) have had to buy fodder this spring.

The question is, what do you do now?

Some farmers I speak to think it is a matter of keeping less cattle, so you will have less mouths to feed, and can save on silage supplies next winter.

Then there are those who intend delaying cutting their silage so as to get more bulk, and get their pits filled again.

I can see why some farmers are considering these options, but I would recommend that they think long and hard before making a final decision.

Bills

If you keep less stock, then you are going to have less stock to sell and therefore less money to pay your bills. If keeping cattle means that you are losing money, you probably should quit farming in any case.

But if you are delaying the cutting of your silage you must remember that your quality is going to be reduced. Some people will probably say that it’s not much use having quality when you’re at the back wall. In response, I would contend that what you will save in meal will more than buy any extra silage you need.

GrassCheck

I am into my second year in the GrassCheck programme and I am more convinced than ever that we must try to grow as much grass as possible and utilise it at the most optimum quality possible. This will mean cutting silage early and often. It also means grazing ground in a rotational system.

I cut my silage last week and while there was not a massive crop on it, I will have excellent quality material. It received 3,000 gallons of slurry and 3.5 bags/acre of 22.4.14. It was just over five weeks sown, but I got the grass tested, and the nitrogen was all used up. So why would I wait another week to grow a bit of stem?

There is a myth going around in these parts. It suggests that if a field is not completely white after being cut, and stays that way for a couple of weeks, then you have cut it too soon.

I think that this is one of the most nonsensical things that I have ever heard.

If the ground is white two weeks after being cut, then you have missed two weeks’ growth.

You have also given weeds a two-week head start on your grass. Have you ever noticed the way the docks will start to grow a few days after being cut?

I love to walk across a cut field after a couple of days and see the grass bursting out of the ground.

After such a tough and long winter, I believe that the only way to recover is by growing our way out of it.

We must try to grow as much grass as our farms possibly can this year, and we must ensure that we utilise it at its most optimum stage.

We can all make excuses and look for someone else to help us out, but that will not be a long-term solution. Grow the grass to grow your business.