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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PastureBase National Growth Curve

2020 growth is at 61 kg DM/ha because of SMD in the East