28th May 2019

Grass10 Weekly Update

Current PastureBase Ireland Performance (Last 7 Days):

Daily Allocations per Cow:

15.5 kgDM grass & 2 kg concentrates

Growth Predictions (Elodie Ruelle Moorepark):

Ballyhaise 60 kgDM/ha/day

Curtins 60 kgDM/ha/day

Clonakilty 65 kgDM/ha/day

Johnstown Castle 60 kgDM/ha/day

National Grass Growth Curve:

AFC Cover/LU Stocking Rate Demand Growth

785 kg DM/ha 202 kg DM/LU 3.86 LU/ha 60 kg DM/ha 72 kg DM/ha

AFC: 780

GR: 73

AFC:785

GR: 74

AFC: 785

GR: 71

AFC: 775

GR: 67

Current Tips for

Measuring Grass

Dry Matter is high so do

not underestimate grass

covers. Do the back cal-

culation : 100 cows X 15

kg Grass (+2kg meal) =

Demand: 1500kgDM

(therefore cows should eat

1.5 ha of a cover of 1,500

in 3 grazings (1.5 days)

Walk the farm twice

weekly to make grassland

decisions. Without meas-

urement, you will not be

able to manage grass.

160– 180 kg DM/LU (10-

12 days ahead- drystock)

DM% Moorepark:

19% 1,500 kg DM/ha

10:30am

Grass10 Grazing Coach: Residuals were measured

at 3.75cm on the farm of Fergus Austin in Borri-

sokane, Co. Tipperary. When asked by the group

how residuals are so low, Fergus explained how he

focuses on a low pregrazing yield (1,400 kgDM/ha)

to ensure post grazing heights of less than 4cm.

Current PastureBase Figures:

Growth is exceeding demand by

13 kgDM/ha and cover/cow is

202 kgDM/LU (target: 160-

180). Therefore surplus bales

need to be cut to maintain grass

quality and to avoid grazing

heavy covers with high propor-

tion of stem.

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2019 2018 5 YR Aver

National Grass Growth Curve

28th May 2019

Grass10 Weekly Update

Soil Moisture Deficits:

Where there has been no rainfall and where growth rates are de-

clining:

1. Quantify how much grass is on the farm to maximise utilisa-

tion. Avoid under-estimating covers. Supplementation

should be secondary to utilising grass that is available on our

farms (supplement, don’t substitute). No decision can be

made until you know the demand on your farm. This de-

mand should match your growth rate. E.g. Growth: 50, 4

cows per hectare: 50/4= 12 kg grass (+6 kg concentrates)/

cow

2. Every farm should be meeting residuals of 4cm. Not achiev-

ing residuals in this period is unacceptable. Avoid topping as

its wasting feed available to livestock and will also inhibit

regrowth on these paddocks.

3. Where growth rate is 50 kgDM/ha, hold rotation length at 25

days. Where growth rate is 30 kgDM/ha or less, hold rota-

tion length at 30 days. Demand must reduce by increasing

grazing area or filling the gap with supplementation

4. Extend the rotation by grazing paddocks that were intended

for surplus bales/silage

5. Sale of surplus stock should be considered

6. Fertiliser N application should continue in a “green drought”

until 25 days has passed without rain

Johnstown Calf to Beef Open Day: Key Messages From Grassland Farmer of the Year John Watchorn:

1. “If you aren’t grazing paddocks out properly (residual 4cm) throughout the year, the amount of

stem in the sward will build up and the paddock will reduce quality. This makes it harder to graze

out these paddocks as the year goes on and reduces weight gains of the cattle”.

2. “I measure grass to make sure that my cattle are always grazing leafy low covers (1,400 kgDM/

ha). If I have surplus grass on the farm, I ring the contractor and cut surplus bales straight away.

These paddocks grow back quicker when cut straight away and I might need that paddock back

for grazing in 3 weeks time”.

3. “I move on cattle every 1-2 days. I go to look at the cattle every day anyway so its not a big job to

open the gap for

them. I previ-

ously had cattle

grazing in big

fields, but since

I put up my

fences, I find

that regrowths

come back a lot

quicker”.

-John Watchorn

Beef Grassland Farmer

of the Year 2018

Image Below: Source: Met Eireann.

Soil Moisture Deficits on moderately drained

soils 25/05/19