Surplus grass decisions
With pre-grazing yields rising on dairy farms nationally, the Grass10 team has shared tips on managing surplus grass and keeping quality grass in front of cows.
The Grass10 team advises targeting pre-grazing covers of 1,400kg DM/ha. However, the majority of the farms are currently grazing covers that are too high. As May progresses, the dedicated campaign team remind farmers that grass composition is changing and keeping grass quality correct becomes more challenging.
To ensure grass quality is maintained to maximise animal performance, pre-grazing yield has to be between 1300-1400kg DM/ha and walking the farm every 4-5 days is recommended. The former maximises leaf content, maximises growth and keeps clean out at 4cm. It also keeps the plant between the 2-3 leaf stage and green from root to leaf. This corresponds to a 18-21 day rotation (as a leaf appears every 7 days) and allows enough time for nutrient uptake.
Surplus grass decisions
According to data from PastureBase Ireland and presented by the Grass10 team as part of its weekly newsletter, over 50% of farms are still struggling with a cover/LU >190 kg DM/ha and a pre grazing yield of over 1500 kg DM/ha. To correct this, action needs to be taken at farm level to bring the average farm cover (AFC) to approximately 650 kg DM/ha.
If above target, the Grass10 team recommends:
- Replace other feeds going into the diet with the correct quality grass
- Consider reseeding
- Convert surplus grass into silage – long or short term
- Utilise tools on PastureBase Ireland
- Grass wedge allows you to change the paddock status (grass, silage – cut now/cut later, reseed) and get an idea of the change to AFC and Cover/LU as a result of these decisions before implementing on farm
- Use the predicted wedge to help inform decisions over the next 7 days