Grass growth is back up in most places this week with an average growth of 69kg/day. A lot of rain has fallen over the last week but the coming week is showing signs of drier weather.

The focus has now shifted from summer grazing and looking at the cover/LU to building grass and focusing on the average farm cover (AFC). The target is to build to an AFC of 1,100kg/ha by mid- to late September on most farms.

The best way to do this is by putting a plan in place using PastureBase grass budget as spoken about in previous weeks.

However, there seems to be plenty of grass around on farms which are stocked below three cows/ha. With higher than normal growth rates, these farms are looking likely to build high covers going into the autumn period.

Identifying this surplus early is important. You don’t want to be taking out surplus bales in September if at all possible.

Acting early and taking a paddock out now will maintain grass quality ahead of the cows and take advantage of the high growth rate that we are currently experiencing to get grass back on the paddock fast. An AFC of over 800kg/ha on farms stocked below 3LU/ha is too high and action needs to be taken.

While we want to manage the quality and quantity we still should be aiming to maximise grass growth and take full advantage of the high growth rates.

Nitrogen fertiliser should be kept out at a unit per day during these periods of high growth rates with a final application of close to 30kg/ha going out on most farms.

Teagasc trials in Johnstown Castle looked at nitrogen going out in August v September and nearly 1.5 times more grass was achieved by spreading N in August compared to spreading it in September.

By applying the fertiliser earlier, you are getting most of the value of the fertiliser back in the extra grass that you will grow when compared to spreading September.

  • Average growth was 69kg/day.
  • The average farm cover (AFC) should be our main focus for the rest of the year.
  • Nitrogen spread in August grows nearly 1.5 times the amount of grass than that which was spread in September.