Grass growth: 51% of farms behind October 1 target
As we enter into October next week, talk of closing off paddocks and starting the final rotation will be commencing.
Talking about the final rotation is a bitter pill to swallow as we come out of a hard drought, but farmers still need to be grazing with next spring in mind.
Current grass growth is still quite strong this week for this time of year, with an average growth across the country of 63kg dry matter (DM)/ha/day, according to PastureBase Ireland.
This has seen average farm covers (AFC) rise from 798kg DM/ha to 932kg DM/ha over the week.
However, when you look at the broader picture, only 42% of farms recording growth in PastureBase are on on target (950-1200kg DM/ha).
51% of farms are still below the target cover of 950kg DM/ha for this time of the year, with these farms averaging 788kg DM/ha off an average growth rate of 57kg DM/ha.
Autumn grazing
Farms on target should continue doing what they are doing, maximising grass in the diet and looking to achieve 4cm residuals.
Farms under target need to continue to hold a 35-day rotation, and try to keep demand 20kg DM/ha below their growth rate, as well as utilising slurry to keep grass growth strong.
Good grassland management will play a vital role in improving cashflow, if cows can be kept out for as long as the weather allows, while also ensuring the farm is well set up for next spring.
The autumn grazing targets for different stocking rates and depending on your land type is as follows:
| Stocking rate (SR) and land type | Date | Cover/cow (kg DM) | AFC (kg DM/ha) | Rotation length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR 2.5 LU/ha | October 1 | 400 | 1,000 | 40 days |
| SR 3.0+ LU/ha | October 1 | 380 | 1,150 | 40 days |
| Heavy land | October 1 | 330 | 850-950 | 35 days |
Following these targets is crucial to ensure there is a good sweep of grass when the farm is opened up next spring, as grass in the spring is at its most valuable, aiding in a better milk response.
The average diet across the country of those updating their data on PastureBase Ireland is currently at 14kg of grass, 4kg of meal, and 1kg of silage and current pre-grazing yields are 1,885kg DM/ha.
Grass growth is still strong, but we are nearing a point where growth rates will quickly begin to drop below demand, which is why drawing up a grass budget is advisable this week.
When it comes to thinking about closing paddocks during the week, farmers should consider the following rotation planner.
- 40% grazed by October 20 - paddocks that are dry with decent access and further from the yard;
- Another 30% grazed by November - dry, good access paddocks that are close to the yard;
- Final 30% during November - awkward, further from the yard, and poorer infrastructure paddocks.
Use this planner as a guide as sometimes with heavy rainfall and weather conditions, farmers may need to graze paddocks out of this autumn rotation plan.
But by sticking to this plan even somewhat, it should help to have close, dry, and easy-accessed paddocks at optimal covers by spring next year.
