28 March 2024

Grazing at a standstill after further rainfall

On account of continuous rainfall, grazing has ground to a halt on many farms. The Teagasc Grass10 offers some key advice in dealing with this challenge.

As many farmers have been grazing their drier paddocks with good access over the past number of weeks – and these are beginning to run out or have run out at farm level, the Teagasc Grass10 team has provided some key advice in its latest weekly newsletter.

Although admitting that grazing will be difficult, the specialist programme team reminds farmers that getting out to grass for three hours per day is a win and so are encouraging farmers to walk their farms and identify any suitable areas to graze. The priority should always be to: (1) feed the animal; (2) avoid damage; and (3) achieve residuals.

In terms of grass growth predictions for the week ahead, growth rates of 22-30kg DM/ha/day are expected. However, given that some areas are forecast to receive over 30mm of rain next week, this is likely to add to the challenging grazing conditions already being experienced at farm level.

Feeding cows sufficiently

With many farmers struggling to get cows out to grass this week, reverting instead to silage and concentrate diets, the Grass10 reminds farms of the importance of feeding cows sufficiently at times when grass is not in the diet.

Key points include:

• Prioritise feeding the cow over the next week, especially if animals are fully housed;
• Where cows are housed fulltime, increase concentrate supplementation to 6kg or so as to protect body condition score as animals approach peak production;
• Silage stocks are running low on farms in certain areas of the country, try and purchase silage locally if possible to get you out of a shortage before looking at other feed alternatives.

3 checks for managing pasture throughout March

The Grass10 team also highlighted the importance of managing pasture throughout March, pointing to three useful checks. These checks are aimed at keeping as much pasture as possible in the diet during March, while managing the transition from the first to the second rotation.

1. Average Farm Cover (AFC) – complete an AFC on PastureBase Ireland and review. The aim is to not dip below 550-600kg DM/ha or 200kg DM/LU in early April;
2. Percent grazed – there is huge variation throughout the country depending on land type and grazing infrastructure. Make a plan. 40ha farm, 65% grazed = 26ha grazed = 14ha in 15 days (April 10) = 0.9ha/day or 6ha/week;
3. Grass cover on 1st grazed paddocks – this is the main guide to when you can start your second rotation. You need 700kg DM/ha regrowth on 3 paddocks on March 17 if you plan on starting the second rotation in early April. If you don’t- readjust! The infographic below provides a useful guide.

Figure 1: Readjusting your first grazing rotation

Upcoming events

The Teagasc Grass10 and Clover150 teams, along with Grassland Researchers and the Advisory team, will run a series of farm walks, starting next week in Teagasc Moorepark

With pressure coming on nitrogen (N) application rates on farm, it is important to discuss how the use of white clover can ‘create your own N factory on your farm’ and protect pasture growth while lowering chemical N usage

Topics to be discussed include: current grazing and fertiliser application in light of difficult spring conditions; along with the establishment and management of white clover; and fertiliser application strategies to maintain clover and pasture production.

More information on the upcoming clover walks.

More information on the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign, including access to its weekly newsletter