It has been a slow start to the spring, but with an increase in temperatures grass growth will soon start to pick up.

Given that margins are under severe pressure across the livestock sectors, it is vital that farmers make the most of our cheapest feed source this year.

The problem for a lot of dairy farms is that herd expansion in recent years means that the infrastructure is not there to get cows out to grass. An over-reliance on conacre, and the fragmented nature of many NI dairy farms, also limits grazing opportunities.

“On many farms, there is only the infrastructure to graze the numbers of cows that were on the farm before expansion took place,” explains local grassland consultant Michael Calvert. However, he maintains that with some simple changes, it is possible to significantly improve the ability to graze on many farms.

But perhaps the biggest issue is the mindset of farmers. “There is a massive knowledge gap as many farmers had simply written off the prospect of grazing cows again. However, it is a mindset barrier that is being quickly broken by milk price at 18p/litre” he maintains.

Last year, he launched a grass-measuring service for some of his clients, and he hopes to add a few more to the group in 2016. He walks paddocks weekly, and uploads measurements onto the farm management programme, AgriNet. He then advises the farmers whether they are above or below target, action required (for example, taking a paddock out for bales) and the rotation for the week ahead. For the farmers involved, it means they can continue to concentrate on other work, while receiving specialist independent advice.

Efficiency

To ensure maximum efficiency at grass, it is important to go in at the correct grass cover (3,000kg DM/ha) and graze out paddocks well (1,600kg DM/ha). “There is a bank of cheap feed available, but you must manage it properly. You have got to graze it down,” he maintains.

On some farms, the reality is that cows are actually not used to grazing, so production might take a hit for a few days. According to Calvert, it is important that farmers have the confidence to stay with the system, as the cows will soon adjust. He understands the reluctance of some farmers with a high yielding group to put these cows to grass, but maintains that some of his clients have successfully got these cows out during the day, in better weather.

Zero grazing

On very fragmented farms, he believes that zero grazing has a place, but the biggest problem is that many farmers leave the grass until it is too long before cutting, and therefore it is less nutritious. “Too many succumb to the temptation to leave it until it is longer to reduce the time spent cutting a load,” says Calvert.

Soil analysis

As well as the knowledge gap when it comes to managing grass, there is also a significant issue when it comes to maximising the amount of dry matter (DM) that can actually be grown. The figure often quoted is that NI farms, on average, grow 7t DM/ha per year. However, most farms can probably grow 10 to 12t DM/ha, and on productive land, 15t DM/ha is possible.

Crucial to that is meeting crop needs, and the starting point should always be to undertake a soil analysis. A number of agricultural consultants offer a soil sampling service. Farmers can also take soil samples to their local DARD Direct office – the cost is £7 plus VAT per sample.

With a soil test complete, the next stage is to correct pH if below the optimum of 6. “This should be corrected first, every single time,” advises Calvert.

Soil analysis will also indicate phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) status of the soil.

While figures from DARD show that 43% of soils in NI are above the optimum for P (Index 3 and above), the results also show that 28% of samples are below the optimum at Index 0 and 1. For K, the DARD figures indicate that 40% of samples are below target at Index 0 or 1.

Where fields are at Index 0 or 1 for both P and K, slurry and/or compound fertilisers are required. Users of DARD online services can access a crop nutrient calculator to help calculate what nutrients should be applied this year. Farmers should note that phosphorus-containing fertiliser can only be used when there is a crop need identified using soil analysis.

“In my experience, under-supply of P and K is still a problem, even on what might be considered as quite intensive farms. However, a lot of farmers are also not putting on enough nitrogen.

‘‘They could grow a lot more grass, and so reduce conacre bills. I have no one close to the allowable maximum of 272kg N/ha (the maximum is 272kg N/ha on dairy farms and 222kg N/ha on other farms). In fact, very few would be at 200kg,” maintains Calvert.

Reseeding

Part of the answer to achieving 15t DM/ha is also to undertake regular reseeding of swards. But there is no point going to the expense of reseeding land if pH is low, or there is no intention of meeting requirements for N, P and K. “By reseeding, you have put something in place with the potential to grow, but it must be fed, or the new grasses will get smothered out,” Calvert says.