Average grass growth this week is only 22kg/day, while the long-term average is 70kg/day. It’s a frightening statistic when you think that growth has been suppressed in most parts for the past six weeks. It’s a challenging time to be a grass farmer. Some farmers who got some rain are wondering if they should spread nitrogen. The answer depends on the situation but it’s marginal in all cases. If it’s burnt and yellow, then no. If it’s still green and growing slowly there might be a small benefit. In most cases, it is not nitrogen that is limiting but moisture. Wait a few days after the drought breaks and then spread nitrogen.
Again, what rotation length to be on is dependent on the farm situation. There’s not much point in pushing poor-quality or dying grass ahead. It’s better to graze it rather than lose it. At this stage, a rotation length of between 20 and 30 days is probably optimal. I definitely wouldn’t go quicker and would only go slower if you have lots of good quality grass.
Every farm must be looking to reduce the demand for grass and this involves reducing stocking rate. This can be achieved by bringing in more land (most farmers have done this already). So the next step should be to reduce stock numbers. Most cows eat around 18kg/day of feed. Effectively all of this feed is high-cost feed now, because of the amount of supplements being fed.
Even where grass is being fed, it could be used to offset supplement to other cows or used for winter feed. Cows should be culled earlier than normal this year.
In terms of feeding supplement, a lot of farmers I’m talking to have moved from feeding silage in sheds, to the field. Some are using round feeders, while those with larger numbers are feeding silage under a strip wire with minimal wastage. It’s important to continue to measure grass, even if you feel there is nothing growing. By walking the farm you will gain a better understanding of what’s happening and get a head start on knowing when the situation is changing.
Average grass growth is slow at 22kg/day.The drought is continuing to persist with no signs of it ending yet.Farmers need to start reducing demand by culling/drying off cows. Read more
Rain teases but much more needed
Average grass growth this week is only 22kg/day, while the long-term average is 70kg/day. It’s a frightening statistic when you think that growth has been suppressed in most parts for the past six weeks. It’s a challenging time to be a grass farmer. Some farmers who got some rain are wondering if they should spread nitrogen. The answer depends on the situation but it’s marginal in all cases. If it’s burnt and yellow, then no. If it’s still green and growing slowly there might be a small benefit. In most cases, it is not nitrogen that is limiting but moisture. Wait a few days after the drought breaks and then spread nitrogen.
Again, what rotation length to be on is dependent on the farm situation. There’s not much point in pushing poor-quality or dying grass ahead. It’s better to graze it rather than lose it. At this stage, a rotation length of between 20 and 30 days is probably optimal. I definitely wouldn’t go quicker and would only go slower if you have lots of good quality grass.
Every farm must be looking to reduce the demand for grass and this involves reducing stocking rate. This can be achieved by bringing in more land (most farmers have done this already). So the next step should be to reduce stock numbers. Most cows eat around 18kg/day of feed. Effectively all of this feed is high-cost feed now, because of the amount of supplements being fed.
Even where grass is being fed, it could be used to offset supplement to other cows or used for winter feed. Cows should be culled earlier than normal this year.
In terms of feeding supplement, a lot of farmers I’m talking to have moved from feeding silage in sheds, to the field. Some are using round feeders, while those with larger numbers are feeding silage under a strip wire with minimal wastage. It’s important to continue to measure grass, even if you feel there is nothing growing. By walking the farm you will gain a better understanding of what’s happening and get a head start on knowing when the situation is changing.
Average grass growth is slow at 22kg/day.The drought is continuing to persist with no signs of it ending yet.Farmers need to start reducing demand by culling/drying off cows. Read more
Rain teases but much more needed
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