Grass growth is continuing to boom into October, with current daily growth rates 10kg of dry matter (DM)/ha above the 10-year average.

As it stands, growth rates are sitting at 60kg DM/ha according to PastureBase Ireland, which is exceptional for this time of the year.

Following such a hard drought, the recovery was much welcomed, especially at the current rate.

However, it may be too little too late, with total grass grown on farms only sitting at 10,570kg DM/ha.

That is 854kg DM/ha less than the same time as last year, and 847kg DM/ha down on the 10-year average.

Current grass situation

In terms of the current growing conditions, soil temperatures are significantly higher than normal, ranging between 13.3° and 15.8°C according to Met Éireann, which is helping to keep growth rates so high.

This has seen national average farm covers (AFC) rise to 971kg DM/ha, with pre-grazing yields of 2,088kg DM/ha.

However, this is still varying largely from farm to farm, as can be seen from the following data provided by PastureBase;

As can be seen above, 43% of all farms recording grass growth on PastureBase are on target for this time of the year.

These farms should be preparing to start the final rotation this week if it is not already started, ensuring grass is allocated correctly and graze-out residuals of 4cm are met.

This will allow these farms to keep cows at grass for as long as possible while simultaneously setting up the platform for a successful spring next year.

However, there is still 44% of recording farms in a situation where grass is not as plentiful, with their average farm covers sitting below the target of 950kg DM/ha.

With the way growth rates currently are, a good number of these farms may reach that target over the next week to 10 days.

With colder nights upon us, growth rates will start to drop back down to 50kg DM/ha and even below, meaning many will not reach their target.

These farms must be strict with grass budgets to ensure they make the most of what they have without compromising next spring.

13% of recording farms are above target, with average farm covers up in 1,300kg DM/ha.

These farms should be maximising grass intake in the diet.

As it stands, the national average diet is sitting at 14.5kg of grass, 3.5kg of meal, and 1kg of silage.