Average grass growth this week has dropped to 16kg/day, which is back a good bit on last week but it is still very good for the time of year. As can be seen in the map, the number of farms contributing growth rates has reduced as more and more herds are being housed and the grass year is coming to an end.
Average grass growth this week has dropped to 16kg/day, which is back a good bit on last week but it is still very good for the time of year.
As can be seen in the map, the number of farms contributing growth rates has reduced as more and more herds are being housed and the grass year is coming to an end.
For those still grazing, the most important thing to watch is average farm cover. You cannot afford to let this run too low, if you expect to have grass next spring.
To work out what you need to close the farm at, start at what you need to open the farm at.
For most farmers, opening farm cover should be around 900 to 1,000kg/ha. Subtract from this what will be grown over the winter. This depends on soil type and location, with every farm being different.
Limestone ground
In my experience, farms on limestone ground grow the most, at between 3kg/day and 5kg/day in December and January, but it all depends on aspect and soil fertility.
Over this eight-week period, farm cover should increase by between 170kg/ha and 280kg/ha. Over the next two weeks growth should be around 10kg/day, so that’s an extra 140kg/ha.
In all, about 350kg will be added between now and 1 February, so average farm cover would need to be between 550kg/ha and 650kg/ha today to reach that target. Of course, colder and slower growing farms will need to close higher if they are to have enough grass in spring.
Where cows are still out, make sure to get the residual down as low as possible, which isn’t very easy when there is a lot of feed going in. If cows are out by day, then hold them in the yard for an hour or two after milking before letting them out to grass to give them an appetite.
In Brief
Growth rates have fallen to 16kg/day but are still good for the time of year.Farmers should do a farm cover now to make sure it doesn’t go too low.Aim to have an opening farm cover of 900kg/ha to 1,000kg/ha.Where cows are still out grazing, make sure residuals are kept low.
Teagasc Curtins, Co Cork
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.34
Growth rate (kg/day) 29
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 654
Yield (l/cow/day) 11.2
Fat % 5.98
Protein % 4.59
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.21
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 1
We will finish up grazing on Monday next. Cows will be out day and night until then. We are grazing covers of 1,200kg/ha to 1,300kg/ha so quality is good and it’s easy to get a good cleanout. We are using 12-hour wires but ground conditions are excellent. We are going to dry off more cows on Monday and sell the empty cows too. At the moment, all cows are on 1kg of meal but we will increase this to 2kg or 3kg when they come in on silage. I’m very happy with production. It shows the power of good genetics and good grass.
Teagasc Ballyhaise, Co Cavan
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.55
Growth rate (kg/day)
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 575
Yield (l/cow/day) 11
Fat % 5.44
Protein % 4.18
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.09
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 3
Cows are fully housed since last Friday and that’s it now for the year. I haven’t done a cover since last week, but I will do one later in the week. Going on last week’s farm walk, the average farm cover should be around 575kg/ha today which is slightly behind target. Cows are on bale silage and 3kg of 16% protein meal. Silage quality is pretty good. We are milking 86% of the herd. The rest have either been dried off or sold. We won’t dry off any more cows for another three or four weeks.
Ciaran McDonald
Ballycumber, Co Offaly
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 3.13
Growth rate (kg/day) 20
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 690
Yield (l/cow/day) 13
Fat % 4.86
Protein % 3.79
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.16
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 3
We are still out grazing by day but will have them fully housed next week. We have been in at night for the past fortnight. Things are going fairly well. The weather has been mild, which is helping growth rates a lot. We spread a good bit of slurry in October, which gave grass a good boost, and we got 70% of the farm grazed by 1 November. The heaviest covers are around 1,100kg/ha but I’m happy to carry these over as they were well grazed out the last time. When cows come in they will be getting silage and 3kg of meal. Most of the first calvers are now dry.
Teagasc Clonakilty, Cork
Stocking rate (cows/ha) 2.30
Growth rate (kg/day) 17
Average farm cover (kg/ha) 597
Yield (l/cow/day) Fat %
Protein % 4.35
Milk solids (kg/cow) 1.07
Supplement fed (kg/cow/day) 3
We stopped grazing on Wednesday as we hit our target average farm cover for the farm. Based on what I think will grow over the winter we should open at 900kg/ha. Cows are inside now on 72% DMD silage and 3kg of meal. We are drying off 10% of the herd per week and 17% dry already. We have one high cover of 1,600kg but we are going to carry it over to the spring as if we grazed it, it would reduce our AFC by too much. We weighed the weanling heifers at 251kg on average so the majority will be on grass only over the winter.
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