Grass+ Dairy: great grass utilisation, but too cold for growth

We couldn’t have asked for a better March. Ground conditions for most are very firm, with great grass utilisation to date. However, the downside has been slow growth. The recent cold spell has put a real damper on things, with growth rates struggling to get past 10kg DM/ha. While milder weather is expected in the coming days, the big question is – will it come in time?

Some farmers may now find themselves in a tricky spot, having gone through too much grass too soon. This could mean needing to add more silage or meal to the diet to stretch grazing further. The first step is to check how much area has been grazed and figure out what’s left to graze. Ideally, by St Patrick’s Day, 60% of the farm should have been grazed.

For those ahead of schedule, slowing things down is the best move until growth picks up again. Options include increasing ration in the parlour, keeping cows in on silage at night, or offering a buffer feed at milking time.

Keeping demand in check

It’s also important to keep an eye on farm cover. If you’re allocating 10kg of grass per cow per day, and stocked at 2.5 cows per hectare, your total grass demand is 25kg DM/ha per day. With growth at just 10kg DM/ha, the farm is losing 70kg/ha of cover every week.

If farm cover dips below 600kg DM/ha, a serious shortage is on the way unless action is taken now. Adjusting feeding plans early can help balance things out and avoid running out of grass too soon.

With growth slow and conditions unpredictable, keeping a close watch and acting fast will be key to staying ahead of any shortages.

Sward watch

Sean Ryan, Loughrea, Co Galway

Growth is slow, with heavier covers growing very little. The goal is to reach 20 April with a farm cover of 550kg DM/ha by grazing a set percentage daily. PKE may be introduced next week for 10 days to supplement. Some early-grazed paddocks are already back at 550kg DM/ha. Staff and stock in good form with the dry weather.

Stocking Rate (cow/ha) :2.6

Growth Rate (kg/day):4

Average Farm Cover (kg/ha):764

Yield (l/cow):21.5

Fat%:4.72

Protein%:3.55

Milk Solids (kg/cow):1.83

Concentrates:6

Jack Kearney, Rathcormac, Co Cork

Some early-grazed paddocks are back at 650kg DM/ha, but farm cover remains low. We’re going to supplement heavily for the next two weeks. So far, 64% of the farm has been grazed, with 7% left to calve. Cows are being followed with 2,500 gallons/acre of slurry; remaining ground will get 20 units of protected urea.

Stocking Rate (cow/ha):3.2

Growth Rate (kg/ha):19

Average Farm Cover (kg/cow):563

Yield (l/cow):25

Fat%:4.40

Protein%:3.48

Milk Solids (kg/cow):2.03

Concentrates:5

Stephen O’Keffee, Kilmallock, Co Limerick

There are only 11 cows left to calve, having started in early January. Cows are out both day and night, but being buffered after each milking with 72% DMD silage and maize. To date, 55% of the farm is grazed. We plan on weighing the oldest calves this week. To date, 39 units of urea have been spread.

Stocking Rate (cow/ha):2.2

Growth Rate (kg/ha): 10

Average Farm Cover (kg/ha) :712

Yield (l/cow):30

Fat% :4.45

Protein%:3.23

Milk Solids (kg/cow):2.37

Concentrates: 6