First cut silage has been completed on several of the programme farms, with others gearing up for that this week.
Grass growth is varied, with some on drier land running very tight for grazing days ahead of cattle. On heavier land, grass growth is faring better.
Where grass growth is starting to run ahead of demand, paddocks are being taken out as baled silage this week.
Raholp, Co Down
Grass growth has really declined with the current dry conditions. Ground needs rain before I go out with my third dressing off fertiliser on grazing areas.
I had to irrigate a grass reseed last week because of the lack of moisture. Barley was sown at the end of March and has established well.
Breeding started for the replacement heifers in in early May. Heifers are being bred to AI. Breeding started for the cows last weekend.
Declan Rafferty and Aidan Quinn
Pomeroy, Co Tyrone
Daily grass growth is yet to rise above 30 Kg/DM/ha but I am confident growth will jump in the coming week with the heat.
We are in our second rotation around the grazing block now. Grass quality is first class after getting paddocks cleaned out fully in the first rotation.
The main workload on farm at present is hedge laying and fencing on land entered under the wider environmental farming scheme.
Read more
Farm leaders hit out at 'grossly irresponsible' pranks on farm machinery
Beef management: five tips to stretch grazing swards
First cut silage has been completed on several of the programme farms, with others gearing up for that this week.
Grass growth is varied, with some on drier land running very tight for grazing days ahead of cattle. On heavier land, grass growth is faring better.
Where grass growth is starting to run ahead of demand, paddocks are being taken out as baled silage this week.
Raholp, Co Down
Grass growth has really declined with the current dry conditions. Ground needs rain before I go out with my third dressing off fertiliser on grazing areas.
I had to irrigate a grass reseed last week because of the lack of moisture. Barley was sown at the end of March and has established well.
Breeding started for the replacement heifers in in early May. Heifers are being bred to AI. Breeding started for the cows last weekend.
Declan Rafferty and Aidan Quinn
Pomeroy, Co Tyrone
Daily grass growth is yet to rise above 30 Kg/DM/ha but I am confident growth will jump in the coming week with the heat.
We are in our second rotation around the grazing block now. Grass quality is first class after getting paddocks cleaned out fully in the first rotation.
The main workload on farm at present is hedge laying and fencing on land entered under the wider environmental farming scheme.
Read more
Farm leaders hit out at 'grossly irresponsible' pranks on farm machinery
Beef management: five tips to stretch grazing swards
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