Grass management: A lot of silage ground has now been harvested, which will ease the pressure on grazing ground for a week as cattle are allowed to clean around headlands. However, do not let cattle graze headlands for too long as grass on the main grazing block will quickly get out of control. After rainfall this week and high temperatures, grass growth will still exceed 100kg DM/ha/day on many farms. Grazing rotations should still be kept between 14 to 21 days depending on sward type and land. Letting the rotation run longer than this will cause grass to become too strong for grazing. Where cattle are entering heavy sward covers of 1,500kg DM/ha and more, there will be wasted grass and animals will be unable to clean out paddocks properly. This will limit regrowth in late June and July, which is a period when grass growth normally declines. Walk your farm this week to identify where there is likely to be a surplus of grass again this month and close for baling. Grass that has headed out or rejected grass around dung pats will need to be topped after this rotation. Apply 20 to 25 units of nitrogen after this rotation to boost grass supplies for the next rotation.

Buttercups: Buttercups are a common sight on grassland at present. Compacted or poached soils, as well as soils with a low pH, P and K status, are ideal for buttercups to become established. Spraying buttercups will be more effective if combined with an effort to improve soil fertility. Buttercup is a persistent annual weed and therefore difficult to kill with just one treatment. Fields may require a repeat treatment later in the year. An MCPA-based spray can offer an effective treatment. Follow the product guidelines correctly for an effective treatment and do not spray near watercourses or before heavy rainfall is forecast.

Worms: After rainfall this week, there will be an increased presence of worms on grazing pasture. If you have not given cattle a dose by now, aim to treat them within the next few days. If in doubt, take a dung sample for faecal egg counting to determine when a dose is required. Once dosed, it is better to return the animal to the paddock which they were grazing and hold there for two to three days. This way the calf is shedding the worms on a contaminated paddock, rather than spreading the worms on to a clean paddock.

Kale: If you are thinking of sowing a catch crop such as kale to reduce the winter feed demand, then June is the ideal time to get the crop planted. Planting any later than June will result in a poor-yielding crop. Choose a dry field with plenty of shelter and one that has a run-back area. If drilling the seed, sow 2.5kg/acre or 3kg/acre if broadcasting the seed. At soil index 3, for maximum yield, apply up to 100 units of nitrogen, 40 units of P and 140 units of K split between sowing and after crop emergence.