A cold and wet snap this weekend is forecast to further disrupt the silage harvest.
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Grass growth has bounced back from a slow start but the cold and wet weather forecast for this weekend is likely to stall that recovery.
Predictions of more cold and wet has also spooked some farmers into bringing forward their silage plans and contractors report a lot more calls this week.
On the grass front, PastureBase figures show that growth levels are generally running from 62kg/ha/day to 72kg/ha/day, with the strongest figures concentrated in the southeast.
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However, with soil temperatures expected to drop back to 9-10°C next week, the surge in grass growth is forecast to stall.
Meanwhile, silage contractors report a mixed start to the season. Padraig Noonan from Conna is east Cork said yields so far have been good – ranging from 8t/ac to 12t/ac, with most hitting 8-10t/ac. Silage quality and ground conditions are good.
Willie John Kehoe from Foulksmills in Wexford said silage crops are running about a week behind normal. He said quality was good but yields were variable, with the heaviest crops on ground that was not grazed. John Kennedy from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, said the late spring meant that fertiliser is still not out of most crops. Those crops that have been cut are lighter, but the quality is good.
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Grass growth has bounced back from a slow start but the cold and wet weather forecast for this weekend is likely to stall that recovery.
Predictions of more cold and wet has also spooked some farmers into bringing forward their silage plans and contractors report a lot more calls this week.
On the grass front, PastureBase figures show that growth levels are generally running from 62kg/ha/day to 72kg/ha/day, with the strongest figures concentrated in the southeast.
However, with soil temperatures expected to drop back to 9-10°C next week, the surge in grass growth is forecast to stall.
Meanwhile, silage contractors report a mixed start to the season. Padraig Noonan from Conna is east Cork said yields so far have been good – ranging from 8t/ac to 12t/ac, with most hitting 8-10t/ac. Silage quality and ground conditions are good.
Willie John Kehoe from Foulksmills in Wexford said silage crops are running about a week behind normal. He said quality was good but yields were variable, with the heaviest crops on ground that was not grazed. John Kennedy from Nenagh, Co Tipperary, said the late spring meant that fertiliser is still not out of most crops. Those crops that have been cut are lighter, but the quality is good.
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