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Grass is usually measured in kg of Dry Matter
Grass availability measured in kg DM/ha
Lowland ground has the potential to produce 12 tonnes DM per hectare per year
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However, due to lower inputs and poor grazing management typical utilisation in NI is 5.0 tonnes DM/ha
Well managed farms 8-10 tonnes DM/ha realistic target
Daily grass growth varies from 5kg DM/ha in February to 100kg DM/ha in May
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Includes what is left after grazing Number of methods used
1.Sward assessment using rising plate meter
2.Visual assessment
3.Sward heights
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As rod is lowered into pasture, plate is supported by height and density of grass
This is averaged out over a paddock/field taking number of readings across field
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Walk each field in ‘W’
Take 30-40 top leaf readings
Calculate field average and record
Keep record each week
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1500 kgDM/ha4-5 cm
2000 kgDM/ha6-8 cm
2500 kgDM/ha8-12 cm
3000 kgDM/ha>12 cm
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Stage Cover kg DM/ha
Sward height (cm)
After weaning Fat ewesThin ewes
16502450
36
Tupping 1800 5
Mid-Pregnancy Graze down to 1500
3
Lambing outside
Move onto 1800 4-6 weeks pre-lambing
6
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Options
1.Apply nitrogen
2.Introduce supplementary feeding
3.Sell stock or cull unproductive animals
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Options
1.Increase stocking rate
2.Close up area for silage/Take area out for round bales
3.Reduce supplementary feeding
4.Reduce fertiliser rate
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Options
1.Pre-mowing or topping
2.Higher stocking rate
3.More measurement & management
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Grass growth varies throughout the season
Grow and graze leafy grass Assess swards regularly Take prompt action when surplus/deficit appears
Maximise utilisation
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Higher stocking rates and silage yields.
Higher grass growth response from fertiliser nitrogen.
Improved grass digestibility and palatability
Higher grass sugars and improved ensilability
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ME (MJ/kg) Yield (t DM/ha)
Perennial Ryegrass 11.7 12
Yorkshire Fog 9.8 9.6
Creeping Bent 9.8 7.2
RSMG 9.3 7.8
PRG has 20% higher ME content & 50% more yield
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The sheaths and backs of the leaves are smooth and shiny
Red stem base
Upper surface of leaf is strongly ribbed
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Walk a ‘W’ and assess at points how much PRG is in a sward.
If PRG below 70% - then some work to improve sward will be required
If PRG below 50% then reseed needs to be considered
If % of broadleaved weeds is high action will be required
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1. Sward Replacement – destruction of old sward and replacement by reseed (plough or minimal cultivation)
2. Sward Renovation - introduction of seed into an existing sward with little or no cultivation
3. Sward Rejuvenation - gradual improvement to sward by better management.
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Required if % of PRG in sward is poor Most reliable and conventional method of
replacing a sward Spring reseed is usually end March to mid
May Autumn reseed between mid July to late
August Spring reseeds often have a heavier weed
burden than late summer reseed
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If high % of scutch/bent grasses or weeds like dock/thistles then old sward should be destroyed by Glyphosphate herbicide
Poor seedbed preparation is most common cause of failure
Seedbed to be fine and firm
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Consolidate without compacting
Sow 6-12mm deep
Roll to maintain moisture in top layer of soil
Watch out for pests (slugs, frit fly, leatherjackets)
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Alternative to conventional method of plough and reseed
Suitable for;1.Stony soils2.Heavy land that takes time to dry out3.Where rapid establishment is required4.Thin swards (silage ground)
Specialist drills/equipment required
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Control perennial weeds before over-seeding
Minimise competition from existing sward. Graze hard or cut silage immediately beforehand
Conditions need to be good (not too dry or wet)
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Graze lightly when grass seedlings are 10cm high. Graze often for short periods thereafter.
Do not allow long intervals between grazings or closing for silage
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Similar to over-seeding
Suited to Italian or hybrid silage swards that have thinned due to continuous cutting
Graze hard or cut for silage
Prepare a shallow tilth by discing and/or harrowing prior to broadcasting or drilling of seed
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Identification and correction of poor management practices
Reasons may include;1.Poor drainage2.Poor soil fertility3.Weeds4.Under-stocking5.Poor integration of cutting and grazing6.Poaching7.Excessive use of slurry
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Sward Replacement
with ploughing
Sward Replacement
without ploughing
Sward Renovation by
stitching-in(Over-seeding)
£/acre £/acre £/acre
Soil analysis 1 1 1
Spray 23 23
Cultivations 67 42 20
Seed & sow 98 98 64
Fertiliser - sowing 38 38 38
Lime – 2t + application
51 51 51
Total/acre 278 253 174
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Factors to be considered
1.Sward life – short, medium or long term
2.Sward purpose – Grazing or cutting
3.Growth season/area – early, intermediate, late
4.Soil type – dry & light or heavy & wet?
5.Always use recommended list varieties
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Use varieties with similar heading dates and dates which correspond with intended cutting date
Short term leys – use Italian ryegrass Long term leys – perennial ryegrass Clover inclusion of little benefit if intensive
silage system (2-3 cuts) Hybrids and tetraploids to be considered for
high sugar content
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Persistence and ground cover are very important
Clover can have a role to play
Use mostly diploid varieties (more persistent)
Include some Timothy if ground is heavy
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Why include clover?
Improves digestibility and intakes Increased animal performance Higher protein % than grass Increased mineral content of sward Can reduce need to spread chemical N
fertiliser
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Weeds cause economic loss in several ways;
1.They compete with grass for nutrients and light
2.Area taken up by weeds is not available for grazing
3.Silage made from weed-infested pasture will have lower palatability and energy
4.All lead to poorer than optimum animal performance
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Chickweed – annual, can be grazed out Redshank – annual, common in spring
reseeds Ragwort – biennial, extremely poisonous Thistles – perennial, topping not very
effective Dock – perennial, deep tap roots, keep
spraying Rush – perennial, common in poor, acidic,
wet land, spraying very effective