There is a big variation in grass growth rates around the country, with strong growth rates recorded in the south, but poorer growth rates recorded in the north and west.
However, significant differences in growth rates exist even within counties – altitude and aspect both playing a role as cold April winds reduce growth rates on exposed farms.
The amount of nitrogen spread to date also has a big bearing. Over 100 units/acre should be spread by now, with another 20 or 30 units/acre to be spread during May. While the forecast for the next few days is for the cold and showery weather to continue, those growing in excess of 60kg/day shouldn’t see too much of a reduction in growth rates.
Even though it’s cold, soil temperatures are hovering around 10°C, and while it is lower than we would like, when combined with longer daylight hours and good sunshine, growth rates should hold steady or improve.
Farmers who have experienced a drop in growth rates and average farm cover as a result should consider re-introducing paddocks earmarked for silage before feeding extra supplement.
The last thing you want to be doing now is reducing the amount of grass in the diet. It is pointless to be feeding supplement just to make supplement. Target average farm cover should be between 150 and 200kg per cow.
Rotation
Rotation length should be 21 days. This can be easily measured by dividing the area being grazed per day into the total area available for grazing. Ideally, the strip wire should be taken down and cows given access to as much grass as they will eat – but this depends on how much grass is available on the farm.
Growth rates variable – depending on location in country and aspect.Target average farm covers should be 150 to 200kg per cow.Rotation lengths should be 21 days.20 to 30 units/acre of nitrogen should be spread during May.Steven Fitzgerald
Teagasc Curtins Farm
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 3.5
Growth rate (kg/day) 77
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 698
Yield (l/cow/day) 24
Fat % 4.69
Protein % 3.53
Milk solids (kg/cow) 2
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 0.2
We got a grass growth rate of 77kg this week, so the farm has taken off. Even though it is cold and windy, the farm is still growing well. Just over 22% of the farm is now closed for silage. All the farm got 30 units of nitrogen 12 days ago so we will top up the silage ground with 60 units this week and then follow the cows with sulfaCAN from next week on. Breeding season started yesterday. We have been recording pre-heats for the last few weeks and any cows not seen bulling will be scanned next week. Our cover per cow is high at 200kg – we are slow to skip more paddocks with cold weather forecast.
Oliver Looney
Mallow, Co Cork
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.94
Growth rate (kg/day) 62
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 569
Yield (l/cow/day) 29.5
Fat % 3.97
Protein % 3.45
Milk solids (kg/cow) 2.25
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 4
Growth rate over the weekend was good at 62kg per day but I expect it to drop back a small bit when I measure next as it has got colder and I am noticing that the covers are getting a bit lower. I had put away the strip fence but it is back up again now to hold them at a 21-day round because they were motoring through area. We are still feeding 4kg of meal, but will pull this back rapidly when I know that growth has stabilised and covers increase. I have over 100 units of nitrogen spread to date, along with some P and K. Cows are cleaning out the paddocks well and are very content at grazing.
Ben Tyrell
Kildalkey, Co Meath
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 5.01
Growth rate (kg/day) 49
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 734
Yield (l/cow/day) 21
Fat % 5.13
Protein % 4.02
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.96
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 5
The last two weeks have been very good on this farm, with growth rates over 45kg/day. Stocking rate is high as I have some ground closed for silage. Normally I’d be aiming to cut this in early May but it is going to be later this year. Demand is 50kg. As soon as growth rates improve I will cut back the meal. 120 units of nitrogen has been spread so far this year. Proteins are actually up on this time last year, despite there being less autumn calvers in the herd. Fat has dropped a bit since cows went out full-time but I expect it to rise again. Breeding started 12 days ago and is progressing well.
Donal Patton
Teagasc Ballyhaise
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.9
Growth rate (kg/day) 31
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 525
Yield (l/cow/day) 24
Fat % 4.23
Protein % 3.48
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.9
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 5
We’re not getting good growth rates in this part of the country. We only grew 30kg last week which is just below demand, even with 5kg of meal being fed and no silage ground closed. It is cold at night and it is going to stay cold for another while. But we have been here before. In the space of 12 days in 2013 we went from feeding silage to making silage. Whenever the growth does come it will come fast so we can close up silage ground then, some of which will have been grazed two weeks ago. We are starting breeding on 5 May and will get any cows that have not got paint removed scanned beforehand.
There is a big variation in grass growth rates around the country, with strong growth rates recorded in the south, but poorer growth rates recorded in the north and west.
However, significant differences in growth rates exist even within counties – altitude and aspect both playing a role as cold April winds reduce growth rates on exposed farms.
The amount of nitrogen spread to date also has a big bearing. Over 100 units/acre should be spread by now, with another 20 or 30 units/acre to be spread during May. While the forecast for the next few days is for the cold and showery weather to continue, those growing in excess of 60kg/day shouldn’t see too much of a reduction in growth rates.
Even though it’s cold, soil temperatures are hovering around 10°C, and while it is lower than we would like, when combined with longer daylight hours and good sunshine, growth rates should hold steady or improve.
Farmers who have experienced a drop in growth rates and average farm cover as a result should consider re-introducing paddocks earmarked for silage before feeding extra supplement.
The last thing you want to be doing now is reducing the amount of grass in the diet. It is pointless to be feeding supplement just to make supplement. Target average farm cover should be between 150 and 200kg per cow.
Rotation
Rotation length should be 21 days. This can be easily measured by dividing the area being grazed per day into the total area available for grazing. Ideally, the strip wire should be taken down and cows given access to as much grass as they will eat – but this depends on how much grass is available on the farm.
Growth rates variable – depending on location in country and aspect.Target average farm covers should be 150 to 200kg per cow.Rotation lengths should be 21 days.20 to 30 units/acre of nitrogen should be spread during May.Steven Fitzgerald
Teagasc Curtins Farm
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 3.5
Growth rate (kg/day) 77
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 698
Yield (l/cow/day) 24
Fat % 4.69
Protein % 3.53
Milk solids (kg/cow) 2
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 0.2
We got a grass growth rate of 77kg this week, so the farm has taken off. Even though it is cold and windy, the farm is still growing well. Just over 22% of the farm is now closed for silage. All the farm got 30 units of nitrogen 12 days ago so we will top up the silage ground with 60 units this week and then follow the cows with sulfaCAN from next week on. Breeding season started yesterday. We have been recording pre-heats for the last few weeks and any cows not seen bulling will be scanned next week. Our cover per cow is high at 200kg – we are slow to skip more paddocks with cold weather forecast.
Oliver Looney
Mallow, Co Cork
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.94
Growth rate (kg/day) 62
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 569
Yield (l/cow/day) 29.5
Fat % 3.97
Protein % 3.45
Milk solids (kg/cow) 2.25
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 4
Growth rate over the weekend was good at 62kg per day but I expect it to drop back a small bit when I measure next as it has got colder and I am noticing that the covers are getting a bit lower. I had put away the strip fence but it is back up again now to hold them at a 21-day round because they were motoring through area. We are still feeding 4kg of meal, but will pull this back rapidly when I know that growth has stabilised and covers increase. I have over 100 units of nitrogen spread to date, along with some P and K. Cows are cleaning out the paddocks well and are very content at grazing.
Ben Tyrell
Kildalkey, Co Meath
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 5.01
Growth rate (kg/day) 49
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 734
Yield (l/cow/day) 21
Fat % 5.13
Protein % 4.02
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.96
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 5
The last two weeks have been very good on this farm, with growth rates over 45kg/day. Stocking rate is high as I have some ground closed for silage. Normally I’d be aiming to cut this in early May but it is going to be later this year. Demand is 50kg. As soon as growth rates improve I will cut back the meal. 120 units of nitrogen has been spread so far this year. Proteins are actually up on this time last year, despite there being less autumn calvers in the herd. Fat has dropped a bit since cows went out full-time but I expect it to rise again. Breeding started 12 days ago and is progressing well.
Donal Patton
Teagasc Ballyhaise
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.9
Growth rate (kg/day) 31
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 525
Yield (l/cow/day) 24
Fat % 4.23
Protein % 3.48
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.9
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 5
We’re not getting good growth rates in this part of the country. We only grew 30kg last week which is just below demand, even with 5kg of meal being fed and no silage ground closed. It is cold at night and it is going to stay cold for another while. But we have been here before. In the space of 12 days in 2013 we went from feeding silage to making silage. Whenever the growth does come it will come fast so we can close up silage ground then, some of which will have been grazed two weeks ago. We are starting breeding on 5 May and will get any cows that have not got paint removed scanned beforehand.
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