Grazing conditions are stable in many parts of the country and although grass growth has not been excellent, there has been enough growth to keep cows out.

Grass growth has not been overwhelming in the last couple of weeks which has made it difficult to build average farm cover (AFC) and keep cows in paddocks with decent covers.

Farmers have two objectives at this time of the year – keep grass in the diet of the cow and to close up the farm at a decent AFC to have grass available in the spring.

Even though ground conditions are ideal at the minute, if grass is tight and cows are not receiving adequate dry matter (DM) in their diet, farmers will have to question whether it is worth keeping the cows out full-time.

Keeping the cows out at grass for as many days as possible is crucial for overall profits but each farm is different and if grazing at the moment is restricting cows’ intake and hindering building AFC for next season, farmers should consider putting the cows in part-time.

Grass growth

Decent grass growth rates, particularly in the northern half of the country along with the good grazing condition have resulted in AFC holding at nearly 800kg DM/ha.

Farmers should have 15-30% of their farm closed off by now depending on the farm’s soil type, and for farmers who are tighter on grass supply, more of the farm may be closed off at this point.

Where spring grass supply is a priority, farmers should aim for a farm cover of over 700kg DM/ha on December 1 and each week a farmer delays closing a paddock, it will reduce spring grass supply of over 100kg DM/ha.

Grass growth this week has been growing at about 38kg DM/ha/day with a demand of 38kg DM/ha/day meaning extra supplementation has been added to diets to build covers and keep cows’ production up.

The typical diet around the country according to PastureBase Ireland is 13kg DM of grass, 4kg of meal and 1.5kg of silage.

In order for farmers to get good clean-outs at this time of the year, they should be strip grazing paddocks, using a back fence and allowing for multiple access points into the paddocks to reduce damage and poaching.

Your autumn rotation plan should be as follows:

  • 40% grazed by October 20 – paddocks that are dry with good 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 yard, and poorer infrastructure paddocks.

By following this final rotation plan, farmers will be giving their paddocks the best possible chance to provide enough grass for the following spring.

Farmers should try and get out some lime at this time of the year on paddocks with a low pH, considering the ground conditions are still favourable.

Parlour washings should continue to be spread on paddocks as they are grazed to keep the tanks empty and to help build up covers.