The weather over the last fortnight has been superb for grass growth, but awful for harvesting – particularly in the southern half of the country.
Silage cutting has been disrupted and delayed, just at the peak of the season for first cut, with contractors working through the night in some cases.
Where silage is being ensiled, there are stories of pits splitting and of slurry tankers busily hauling effluent away from pit tanks.
Ground conditions have been deteriorating over the last two weeks, as wet days have come one on top of the other. Farmers are faced with the choice of cutting in poorish conditions, or hoping for better weather along with a growing queue of their neighbours.
In the first six days of June, much of the south and east of the country has experienced heavy rains.
Johnstown Castle in Wexford had 40ml, over half the monthly mean of 73ml. Moorepark in Cork similarly had 38ml compared with a monthly mean of 70ml. Mount Dillon in Westmeath only had 19ml, in keeping with normal trends. While May rainfall was typical, most of that rain fell in the second half of the month.
Martin Beckett, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Up to now it’s been OK. We had an early start and are mostly up to date. The next two weeks are crucial. Silage wagons are busy but the harvester is currently grounded. We need a couple of good days together to get it back in the field. If it takes up next week, we should be OK.
Richard White, Tipperary
Everything was fine until about a fortnight ago, but the weather has come wrong at the worst possible time. Crops are way heavier and the ground is fairly wet. There’s a bit of a dead butt as well, as crops get overripe. Wet gaps are leading to a bit of muck on the roads, so we are sweeping up after ourselves. Costs are rising as fuel costs are higher, in tougher conditions. It’s just the nature of the job, but we really could do with a few dry days.
Seamus Donohoe,
Longford
Wouldn’t be too bad. We have a good bit done over the last fortnight. Quality is good. We’ve been able to reach on jobs as the silage comes ready for cutting. It’s been mainly bales around here to date.
Michael Ryan, Ballywilliam, Co Wexford
I’m now at least a week behind. Grass was very wet though ground conditions haven’t been too bad even where we cut over the last week. Crops are very heavy – they’ve doubled up in a couple of weeks.
Forecast mixed but not bad
Those who may have grass silage on the ground, or are conscious that their un-cut crop is maturing, need not panic. There should be chances in the coming days to make good silage. The forecast suggests a warm weekend and early days for next week are predicted to be relatively dry.
High nitrates: If nitrogen is a worry, collect a sample of grass made up of a number of clumps from around the field and have it tested. Nitrates of greater than 600ppm would be considered high, though if there are sufficient sugars present (=3%) grass will ensile correctly up to 800ppm.
Wilting option: Wilting to 27-30% dry matter will reduce the effects of high nitrates. Wilting a 3m row to optimum DM will take 48 hours, while tedded out grass will take 24 hours.
Sugars: Where sugars are at 2% to 3%, target a 24-hour wilt and use an acid-based or molasses additive if not possible and/or material is being picked up wet. Below 2% sugars, an additive should be used regardless. For example, molasses could be added at a rate of 20l/t to help the process. Acid additives work well too, though contractors are often hesitant to use these as they’re hard on machines.
Closing date important: If you’re unsure on the forecast, the advice is to sit tight. While May silage is the goal for many, consider your closing-up date. If it was towards mid-April, then you’re still OK quality-wise.
Take into account too that growth was sluggish in parts during April and May – your silage crop mightn’t be as advanced as you think. Wait until you’re sure you have a dry window to cut, wilt and collect your silage. If you must go, test and use an additive accordingly.
Soil contamination and effluent: Exercise caution around soil contamination. Look to use multiple field access points and postpone cutting the wettest areas if possible. Be prepared for high effluent volumes in the yard, ensuring all drainage channels are working.
Machinery safety: Part-fill trailers, work downhill on steep slopes – or postpone cutting these areas altogether – and use low ground pressure tyres (<1.0 bar).
Health and safety concerns
The HSA advises contractors and farmers to remain safety conscious at all times. Whatever the pressure of work, make sure all equipment is well maintained and guarded. Only competent people should be allowed operate machinery. Maintain good communication between the silage team, and guard against fatigue.
When work piles up and is weather-dependent, the danger is of people working dangerously long hours to catch up on the backlog when a reasonable window of weather appears. A few tips include:
Don’t overdo it: It’s possible to pull an all-nighter – for one night. It’s not possible to go days on end with a couple of hours rest.Stay hydrated: When spending long hours in a warm tractor or loader cab, it’s important to take on lots of fluids to stay fresh and alert. Eat regularly: similarly, fuel up with food through the day. Avoid giant dinners – they can induce drowsiness.If tired, take a small break: A micro-nap, even for 10 or 15 minutes, can make all the difference. Hop out of the tractor every now and then for a breath of fresh air. Catch up on your rest: When the wet day comes, make sure to get the rest your body needs. There might be some running repairs needed, but resting is not an optional extra. It’s a life or death issue. For the sunny day, make sure to apply sun- cream. Read more
Home Farm: mucky paddocks and late silage
Editorial: weather takes toll on fields and farmers
The weather over the last fortnight has been superb for grass growth, but awful for harvesting – particularly in the southern half of the country.
Silage cutting has been disrupted and delayed, just at the peak of the season for first cut, with contractors working through the night in some cases.
Where silage is being ensiled, there are stories of pits splitting and of slurry tankers busily hauling effluent away from pit tanks.
Ground conditions have been deteriorating over the last two weeks, as wet days have come one on top of the other. Farmers are faced with the choice of cutting in poorish conditions, or hoping for better weather along with a growing queue of their neighbours.
In the first six days of June, much of the south and east of the country has experienced heavy rains.
Johnstown Castle in Wexford had 40ml, over half the monthly mean of 73ml. Moorepark in Cork similarly had 38ml compared with a monthly mean of 70ml. Mount Dillon in Westmeath only had 19ml, in keeping with normal trends. While May rainfall was typical, most of that rain fell in the second half of the month.
Martin Beckett, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Up to now it’s been OK. We had an early start and are mostly up to date. The next two weeks are crucial. Silage wagons are busy but the harvester is currently grounded. We need a couple of good days together to get it back in the field. If it takes up next week, we should be OK.
Richard White, Tipperary
Everything was fine until about a fortnight ago, but the weather has come wrong at the worst possible time. Crops are way heavier and the ground is fairly wet. There’s a bit of a dead butt as well, as crops get overripe. Wet gaps are leading to a bit of muck on the roads, so we are sweeping up after ourselves. Costs are rising as fuel costs are higher, in tougher conditions. It’s just the nature of the job, but we really could do with a few dry days.
Seamus Donohoe,
Longford
Wouldn’t be too bad. We have a good bit done over the last fortnight. Quality is good. We’ve been able to reach on jobs as the silage comes ready for cutting. It’s been mainly bales around here to date.
Michael Ryan, Ballywilliam, Co Wexford
I’m now at least a week behind. Grass was very wet though ground conditions haven’t been too bad even where we cut over the last week. Crops are very heavy – they’ve doubled up in a couple of weeks.
Forecast mixed but not bad
Those who may have grass silage on the ground, or are conscious that their un-cut crop is maturing, need not panic. There should be chances in the coming days to make good silage. The forecast suggests a warm weekend and early days for next week are predicted to be relatively dry.
High nitrates: If nitrogen is a worry, collect a sample of grass made up of a number of clumps from around the field and have it tested. Nitrates of greater than 600ppm would be considered high, though if there are sufficient sugars present (=3%) grass will ensile correctly up to 800ppm.
Wilting option: Wilting to 27-30% dry matter will reduce the effects of high nitrates. Wilting a 3m row to optimum DM will take 48 hours, while tedded out grass will take 24 hours.
Sugars: Where sugars are at 2% to 3%, target a 24-hour wilt and use an acid-based or molasses additive if not possible and/or material is being picked up wet. Below 2% sugars, an additive should be used regardless. For example, molasses could be added at a rate of 20l/t to help the process. Acid additives work well too, though contractors are often hesitant to use these as they’re hard on machines.
Closing date important: If you’re unsure on the forecast, the advice is to sit tight. While May silage is the goal for many, consider your closing-up date. If it was towards mid-April, then you’re still OK quality-wise.
Take into account too that growth was sluggish in parts during April and May – your silage crop mightn’t be as advanced as you think. Wait until you’re sure you have a dry window to cut, wilt and collect your silage. If you must go, test and use an additive accordingly.
Soil contamination and effluent: Exercise caution around soil contamination. Look to use multiple field access points and postpone cutting the wettest areas if possible. Be prepared for high effluent volumes in the yard, ensuring all drainage channels are working.
Machinery safety: Part-fill trailers, work downhill on steep slopes – or postpone cutting these areas altogether – and use low ground pressure tyres (<1.0 bar).
Health and safety concerns
The HSA advises contractors and farmers to remain safety conscious at all times. Whatever the pressure of work, make sure all equipment is well maintained and guarded. Only competent people should be allowed operate machinery. Maintain good communication between the silage team, and guard against fatigue.
When work piles up and is weather-dependent, the danger is of people working dangerously long hours to catch up on the backlog when a reasonable window of weather appears. A few tips include:
Don’t overdo it: It’s possible to pull an all-nighter – for one night. It’s not possible to go days on end with a couple of hours rest.Stay hydrated: When spending long hours in a warm tractor or loader cab, it’s important to take on lots of fluids to stay fresh and alert. Eat regularly: similarly, fuel up with food through the day. Avoid giant dinners – they can induce drowsiness.If tired, take a small break: A micro-nap, even for 10 or 15 minutes, can make all the difference. Hop out of the tractor every now and then for a breath of fresh air. Catch up on your rest: When the wet day comes, make sure to get the rest your body needs. There might be some running repairs needed, but resting is not an optional extra. It’s a life or death issue. For the sunny day, make sure to apply sun- cream. Read more
Home Farm: mucky paddocks and late silage
Editorial: weather takes toll on fields and farmers
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