Two weeks of exceptional grass growth on the Greenfield Farm in Kilkenny mean surplus round bales will be harvested this weekend to bring average farm cover back in line for the time of year.

When measured this week, the average farm grass cover was over 1,400kg. Two weeks of growth rates over 100kg per day have sent the farm cover soaring.

Two weeks ago the average growth rate came in at 124kg per day.

This week’s measurement put the growth rate at 110kg per day – well over double the growth rate you would expect at this time of the year.

Nitrogen

A combination of 20 units of nitrogen bulk spread across the farm, some potash and ideal growing conditions with rain and heat have driven these exceptional growth figures.

For the last number of years in Kilkenny we have often fed round bales in August to try to build grass on the farm rather than taking out surplus bales.

When the 50ac of heavy covers will be harvested, it will bring farm cover back to around 1,000kg DM/ha.

The net milk value bottom line comes to 39.5c/l or just over €71,000 for the month’s milk

Cows continue to milk well, with yield between 15 litres and 16 litres per cow, and the last test results were 4.6% fat and 3.98% protein at 128 SCC. The July milk statement shows the farm had a milk price of just over 40c/l including VAT.

This is a combination of prices from four fixed milk price schemes and the manufacturing price.

The manufacturing price is the highest at the moment at over 39 c/l excluding VAT, while the fixed milk price schemes range between 33c/l and 36 c/l excluding VAT.

When the €500 of monthly deductions (government services, etc) are taken out, the net milk value bottom line comes to 39.5c/l for the month or just over €71,000 for the month’s milk.

For more on this, see this week's Irish Farmers Journal.

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