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The continued inclement weather is creating many challenges for flocks lambing, with grass reserves being depleted fast on many farms, where it was impossible to get slurry or fertiliser applied.
Above normal winter temperatures supported relatively positive winter grass growth but fertiliser will now be required to drive on spring grass growth.
Although ground conditions are currently poor, mid- to late-March will hopefully see lighter cattle filtering out to grass as weather improves. Outlined are some tips for turnout.
The combination of tighter supplies in the market and earlier housing is said to be concerning many producers heading in to the lambing season, Darren Carty writes.
A high percentage of flocks should now be assessing winter diet options for ewes, with feed reserves built up during autumn now, in most cases, depleted.
The body condition of ewes is under the radar with inclement weather presenting continual challenges, grass supplies diminishing rapidly and utilisation at a low level.
Research carried out in Teagasc Athenry shows that mid-season flocks with a stocking rate of 10 to 12 ewes/ha should have 20% of the grazing area closed by mid-October.
With breeding well underway on farms, care needs to be taken that grass supplies are not negatively affected by remaining store lambs, while the clean livestock policy also needs to remembered.
Mid-season lambing flocks have a few weeks before the first paddocks for grazing next spring will be closed, but flocks lambing earlier need to put plans in motion.