Grassland
Establishment of multispecies swards
Establishment of multispecies swards Many farmers may be establishing multispecies swards for the first time in 2023. These swards – which contain a mixture of grasses, herbs and legumes – offer a range of benefits, including: improved soil health; enhanced biodiversity; and increased livestock productivity. When identifying fields for such swards, grazing […]
30 April 2023
No time like the present for white clover incorporation
No time like the present for white clover incorporation Apart from the benefits associated with lower levels of artificial nitrogen use, the inclusion of white clover into grassland swards has also been shown to improve animal performance. The latest edition of the Teagasc Grass10 newsletter provided details on clover oversowing on Teagasc’s Moorepark, Clonakilty […]
27 April 2023
Grass10: Watch grazing targets as growth rates increase
Grass10: Watch grazing targets as growth rates increase As growth rates increase, the Teagasc Grass10 team advise to keep an eye on the grazing targets which have been established to work for all farms to keep a balance between grass supply and grass quality. The targets outlined below work very well when […]
26 April 2023
Summer decisions affect winter performance on organic farms
Summer decisions affect winter performance on organic farms Although the differences between organic and conventional farming are numerous, one key aspect is central to both – the importance of silage quality. The silage quantity versus quality debate is an annual occurrence on drystock farms, with many still favouring a heavy, bulky cut […]
23 April 2023
Increasing sward and animal performance with red clover
Increasing sward and animal performance with red clover High artificial nitrogen costs have sparked a renewed interest in red clover silage. When grown in conjunction with a companion grass, these crops have the potential to provide a winter feed to livestock production systems from zero chemical nitrogen input. Dr. Nicky Byrne, Research […]
22 April 2023
Maintaining grass quality as we approach May
Maintaining grass quality as we approach May Every year, farmers get caught moving from spring to summer grazing management. This week as part of their weekly newsletter, the Teagasc Grass10 team ask are you ready for the change? With a jump in growth rates expected on top of high farm covers, walking […]
19 April 2023
Tips on establishing white clover in grassland swards
Tips on establishing white clover in grassland swards The benefit of clover in grassland has previously been reported through increased animal performance, increased herbage production and potential saving in chemical nitrogen (N) fertiliser, as well improved N use efficiency and N farm gate surplus. If Irish farms are to successfully establish clover […]
15 April 2023
Don’t delay! Fertilise silage swards today
Don’t delay! Fertilise silage swards today Weather conditions over the last number of weeks have resulted in delayed applications of fertiliser to silage fields. In addition, livestock have been housed for longer than normal, eating into farm silage stocks. Fertilising silage fields, once field conditions allow, will be critical in order to […]
14 April 2023
Grass10: Heavy rainfall making grazing conditions difficult
Grass10: Heavy rainfall making grazing conditions difficult Most farms, particularly those on the western seaboard and in the border, midlands and west region, have received significant rainfall volumes over the past weekend, the latest Grass10 newsletter explains, while also offering advice for the week ahead. This has hampered grazing conditions on many […]
13 April 2023
Watch: April assessment of clover content
Watch: April assessment of clover content Assessing the clover content of your swards now will enable you to tailor nitrogen fertiliser applications, while also allowing the identification of paddocks which may require reseeding or over sowing to increase clover content. In the below video, Michael Egan, Teagasc Grassland Researcher, offers practical steps […]
12 April 2023