An average growth rate of 93kg DM/ha was recorded on our measuring farms over the last week. Poor growths are correlated with areas in which soils are currently suffering from drought conditions.

There have been reports of low grass sugars in silage crops results between 1 to 1.5%. The target for good preservation should be in excess of 3%. Grass sugars are the main consideration for crop preservation.

Old swards with low levels of ryegrass in the sward will have lower sugars. Grass can be tested before cutting if in doubt.

Given the depleted silage stocks around the country from the hard spring, once targets in terms of bulk for first-cut have been hit, remove it, fertilise hard and look towards second-cut.

Second-cut silage may not be of the same quality as first-cut silage but it will replenish reserves for next winter. Aiming for excessive bulk with second cuts will have a negative effect on feeding value.

Grazing management

Keep monitoring recovery re-growth on paddocks and react quickly if grass covers are getting out of control. Take out heavy paddocks as surplus bales.

Try to maintain pre-grazing yields at 1,400-1,600kg DM/ha. Avoid wasting offered grass to the herd. High grass utilisation can be achieved when pre-grazing yields are at levels in which animals can graze.

Presently, the main focus should be to offer high-quality/ leafy grass to the grazing herd. Try to maintain an 18- to 20-day rotation.

If possible, creep-graze calves ahead of mature animals. Young, leafy grass will be more palatable to calves.

Michael McManus & Clare Guy

Derrypatrick Herd, Meath

System suckler to beef

Soil type Variable

Farm cover 777kg DM/ha

Growth 68kg DM/ha/day

Demand 68 kg DM/day

2018 turnout date was Tuesday 17 April, five weeks later than 2017 turnout. The third rotation began on 5 June. Three paddocks (2.74ha) were taken out as surplus bales this week as they had gone too strong for grazing. Three-quarters of a bag of CAN (21 units N) is being spread after each grazing.

There are 96 cows and 97 calves, 29 replacement heifers and 99 weanlings currently at grass. In total, eight groups of cattle are being managed at grass.

First-cut silage was harvested on 25 May. All ground harvested for first-cut and destined for second-cut received 2,000 gallons/acre slurry, three bags/acre CAN and one bag/acre 0-7-30.

The breeding season commenced on 2 May. Eighty-seven per cent of the herd has been artificially inseminated in the first 35 days of the breeding season. There is one teaser bull with chin-ball harness per 24 cows and seven or eight replacement heifers depending on group. Cows and replacement heifers are being observed four times per day.

Ger McSweeney

Millstreet, Cork

System suckler to Beef

Soil type mostly heavy

Farm cover (kg DM/ha) 655

Demand (kg DM/ha/day) 41

Growth (kg DM/ha/day) 71

Growth has pick up well in the last week and ground conditions are good. Cattle are grazing in three blocks, – 14 breeding heifers, two groups of 12 cows and 12 calves that are split. Bull calves and heifer calves are being grazed on 1,500kg DM/ha covers.

Last week, I got my first cut of silage. It was cut last Tuesday and baled on Thursday. I didn’t get all my silage last week as a heavy downpour of rain came Tuesday evening and I made the decision to stop cutting.

I cut what was left of my first-cut silage this week. I mowed it on Tuesday and gave it a 24-hour wilt, and baled it up on Wednesday afternoon.

I was happy with the crop that I got. It was of good quality and the yield was nine bales per acre. All silage ground got slurry in the spring and 100 units of nitrogen six weeks ago.

I will spread slurry on the silage ground next week and will apply 70 units of nitrogen the week after that aiming for a second cut at the end of July.

Martin O’Hare

Co Louth

System suckler to weanling/finish

Soil type Free-draining soil

Farm cover (kg DM/ha) 477

Demand (kg DM/ha/day) 51

Growth (kg DM/ha/day) 29

Growth has slowed down dramatically with the extended spell of dry weather and at this stage the place could really do with a drop of rain to get things moving again. All of the paddocks got nitrogen 20 May and I will go with another round of nitrogen at the end of next week. I have all my first-cut silage done; the yield was back on last year but the quality looks to be very good.

I hope to get fertiliser out for the second cut next week. The plan is to go with 2,000 gallons of cattle slurry and 80 units of nitrogen per acre.

I am well into the breeding season at this stage and thankfully it is going very well. I am using AI on a group of heifers along with a selection of cows and the Charolais stock bull is running with a group of 40 cows. I slaughtered the first group of my under-16 month bulls last week at average carcase weight of 400kg and the remaining bulls will be fit for slaughter in the coming weeks.

Ken Gill

Co Offaly

System Organic suckler to finish

Soil type Mostly free-draining

Farm cover (kg DM/ha) 563

Demand (kg DM/ha/day) 45

Growth (kg DM/ha/day) 57

While the weather has been brilliant of late, grass just hasn’t exploded here yet. Ground is extremely dry and I could really do with some rain. I got my first cut of red clover silage baled and I was extremely happy with the yield of 10 bales/acre. The crop of peas and wheat is coming along well and hopefully it should drive on with the rain that’s forecast at the end of the week.

My first-cut silage has bulked up and the crop is surprisingly clean as I often struggle to keep docks at bay here given my organic status. I’ve a nice bank of farmyard manure to get out in the back end of the year. This will go on my red clover silage and some of the paddocks low for P and K. Lime is also on the menu later in the summer.

Similar to last year I’m using my dry cows to mop up after store cattle and paddocks are being cleaned out well at the minute. Sixty-seven cows are calving in August and September so numbers are slightly back on last year.

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Super conditions for grass growth