This week was our first week out on farm with our Irish Farmers Journal grassland management courses after having our first two meetings on Zoom.

For many of the participants, it was the first hands-on experience of grassland measuring and it was a welcomed change from the computer screens.

The poor regrowth over the last number of weeks has left many with a hole in the grass wedge and has resulted in high levels of concentrates being fed and, in some cases, silage has been introduced to reduce demand.

Average farm cover

Where average farm cover (AFC) has fallen below 550kg DM/ha, it is proving very difficult to get pre-grazing covers back up to a target of 1,400kg to 1,500kg DM/ha.

If you find yourself in this situation, it's time to pull up the handbrake and reassess the plan.

Where possible, bring ground back into the rotation to reduce demand.

If that is not an option, divide the total grazing area into a 21- to 25-day rotation.

Only graze the allocated area each day regardless of the grass cover in the paddock.

Fill the gap in the diet with concentrates and/or silage where necessary.

Reducing demand to match growth

Others in the groups have been holding AFC above 550kg DM/ha by reducing demand to match growth.

Some have started walking the farm every five days in order to be ready to react to increasing growth rates.

Growth rates can improve rapidly at this time of the year, so being prepared to increase demand by reducing supplementation as soon as possible will ensure grass quality and utilisation stays on target.