Data from PastureBase Ireland shows that, to date, farms have grown 2.7 tonnes of dry matter (DM) of grass so far this year.

Despite what was a difficult start to the grazing season in February and early March, this is just 150kg less than this time last year and 500kg more than the same period in 2018.

PastureBase Ireland grass growth to date 2020.

The prolonged period of wet weather in early spring resulted in a delayed turnout across the country. It was not until the second week of March that grass growth figures hit double digits, a full month later than 2019.

However, every week from mid-April onwards, grass growth has surpassed both 2019 and the five-year average growth figures.

Measuring grass

So far this year, 2,645 dairy farms have recorded at least one grass cover with PastureBase Ireland. This is up from 2,168 for the same period in 2019.

Beef and sheep farms continue to lag behind in measuring terms, with just 294 beef farms and 36 sheep farms with grass cover records this year.

According to Micheál O’Leary of PastureBase, we are now entering the period (mid-April to mid-August) when up to 60% of the total grass dry matter on the farm is grown – making it very important to get right.

“Farmers should try to achieve six grazings per paddock in this period – measuring grass will help achieve this target and we would encourage all farmers to do so,” he said.