Grass10 Weekly Update · 5/26/2020 · Match growth and demand. Average farm cover cannot drop...
Transcript of Grass10 Weekly Update · 5/26/2020 · Match growth and demand. Average farm cover cannot drop...
26th May 2020
Grass10 Weekly Update
PastureBase Ireland Current Performance (Last 7 Days):
Average farm cover should be well above 500 kg DM/ha on all farms.
Growth has dropped by 30% on farms with an AFC of <500 kg DM/ha
Growth rate is 5 kg DM/ha less (56 kg DM/ha) in Leinster compared
to the national average. Make decisions to hold rotation length and
average farm cover if growth rate is decreasing
Areas that have received rain and heavy soils farms are experiencing
growth of 70-80 kg DM/ha. Some farmers are still cutting surplus bales on
these farms which is the correct decision given the rainfall received
Farmers should walk the farm regularly and use the Predicted Wedge
and Predicted Growth Rates to budget grass over the coming week
Data on Soil Moisture Deficit & Rainfall on Page 2
(Right) Nicholas McKenna, Co. Meath.
Growth: 50 kg DM/ha. AFC: 570 kg DM/ha.
The rotation had to be extended, so cows
and calves are now grazing a silage field. The cover is 2,800 kg DM/ha and stock are
moved once a day (strip grazing). Grazed
areas are backfenced so regrowths are
protected. By grazing this ground, Nicholas is
holding Average Farm Cover on the grazing
platform.
AFC Stocking Rate Cover/Cow Growth Demand
720 kg DM/ha 3.71 LU/ha 194 kg DM/ha 61 kg DM/ha 57 kg DM/ha
GR: 66
AFC: 741
GR: 56
AFC: 701
GR: 64
AFC: 731
GR: 60
AFC: 725
Below: Covers in the Last 7 Days
Predicted Growth Rate: Elodie Ruelle Moorepark
Ballyhaise 91 kg DM/ha Johnstown Castle 45 kg DM/ha
Athenry 68 kg DM/ha Moorepark 66 kg DM/ha
Areas That Have Received Rain/Heavy Soils
Keep walking the farm and monitoring
growth– keep pregrazing at 1,400 kg DM/ha
Where growth is exceeding demand surplus bales
should be cut to keep cover/cow at 160- 180 kg
DM/LU or 10-12 days ahead for drystock
farms
Graze down to 4 cm to ensure high quality grass
for the next rotation.
Where silage is cut, replace the P and K off-
take with slurry using LESS
Rotation Length should be 18-20 days on these
farms depending on growth. e.g. Growth 70 X 20
day rotation= 1,400 kg DM/ha (Pregrazing)
On heavy farms, high quality surplus bales are
always needed in the spring/autumn. While
growth is high, these surplus bales should be
made to have for a “rainy” day
Fertiliser should be spread as normal on these
farms (Protected Urea/Compound + Sulphur)
Growth Has Reduced Due To Soil Moisture Deficit
Hold grazing rotation at a minimum of 25 days (4% of
platform)
Graze down to 4 cm– Do not waste grass.
Grass Dry Matter is 19%+. High feed value
Walk the farm regularly. Do not underestimate grass
covers. Us PBI tools such as Predicted Wedge
Match growth and demand. Average farm cover
cannot drop below 500 kg DM/ha
Options to hold rotation and match growth & demand:
1. Increase meal feeding
2. Graze silage ground (increase grazing area)
3. Move heifers to outfarms and reduce stocking rate
4. Introduce high quality surplus bale silage
E.g. 4 cows/ha, growth 40 kg DM/ha= 10 kg grass/cow
(4x10 = 40) + supplement the balance of the diet up to
18 kg DM with meal & grass from silage ground/ round
bale silage
Avoid spreading Straight Urea. Protected Urea/ Com-
pound fertiliser (+ Sulphur) is safer in dry conditions.
Grass DM:
19%
26th May 2020
Grass10 Weekly Update
Grass10 Video: Responding to Reduced Growth Rates– Eugene Lawler, Co. Kildare
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmExHftPhso
Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) Report:
See the chart (bottom, left) displaying rainfall received over the last 7 days in Met Stations across
the country. Walk the farm and see how this rain is affecting growth (Source: Met Eireann)
Very little rain in weather forecast for the
next 7 days. Walk the farm & monitor
growth
See the graph (bottom right) showing soil
moisture deficit levels on moderately
drained soils nationally
(Source: Met Eireann)
A soil moisture deficit of 50 mm will
result in declining growth rates on farms
There is large variation within farms,
depending on where rain fell and soil
types. Keep walking the farm to make de-
cisions and hold AFC above 500 kg DM/
ha in all circumstances
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5 YR Aver
PastureBase National Growth Curve
2020 growth is at 61 kg DM/ha because of SMD in the East