Grassland management: The final phase of closing
As November progresses at pace, farms across the country are entering the final phase of the grazing season and a firm focus must be placed on achieving targets while also protecting swards.
As part of its weekly newsletter, the Grass10 team has highlighted the importance of achieving grazing targets at farm level. Notably, all dairy farms should have between 65% and 80% of the farm area closed this week. The percentage closed will vary depending on the demand for grass next spring; farms with the greatest demand should aim for the higher end of the above target.
In an effort to ensure sufficient grass supply next spring, the closing average farm cover is the baseline from which decisions on ceasing the grazing season should be made. This figure will vary by stocking rate and soil type; farms stocked at 2.5LU/ha should aim for a closing farm cover of 600kg DM/ha, farms stocked at 3+LU/ha should have a closing farm cover of 650-700kg DM/ha, whereas heavier soil type farms are advised to carry a closing cover of 550-600kg DM/ha.
The Grass10 team has also provided a reminder on the controllables of autumn grassland management for setting up the farm next spring. Key elements include autumn closing date, housing cover, and the closing cover on December 1. While the demand for grass in the spring is influenced by calving date, calving rate, stocking rate, cow intake and turnout date.
It is important to consider these factors on spring grass demand when closing up the farm, the Grass10 team has advised. Ensure you pick your paddock closing order to reflect spring grazing rotation and opening farm cover targets are hugely impacted by housing and closing cover.
Challenging grazing conditions
With substantial rain after falling, more forecast for the week ahead and many soils already at saturation point with cows housed by night, the Grass10 recommends the following:
- It is important to try keep grass in the diet
- Utilise on/off grazing – high grass intake can be achieved in 2 x 3 hour allocations
- Ensure appetite in cows at turnout to grass
- In periods of heavy rainfall graze paddocks with lower covers (1200-1500 kg DM/ha)
- Avoid poaching damage on paddocks
- Utilise grazing infrastructure
- It is essential to use multiple access points
- Incorporate spur roadways
- Use a strip wire to manage grazing
Grass10 weekly update
For this week’s Grass10 grazing management update, John Maher discusses current grazing advice, while the featured farmer is Will Griffin, Co. Carlow.
Listen in below:
For further insights, view the Grass10 weekly newsletter here.