Cathal Irwin May/June 2024
Grassland
- Securing sufficient fodder in 2024
- A difficult two months for grass growth
- Cathal looks at the option of purchasing fodder
Grassland
The silage ground was closed on April 18th and Cathal hopes to cut the crop by the end of May. Just 60 units of N/acre was applied to ensure that the crop could be cut in 6 weeks. The area also got Potash. Closing for the second cut early is a priority to ensure both quantity and quality. Cathal has just 20 bales left over from the winter. According to the fodder budget he will need 220 bales.
Cathal has talked to a neighbour to secure 70 bales and this is an option to secure sufficient fodder. He will struggle to make all of his fodder requirement on his own grassland block.
Photo: 13th May, the crop is closed since April 18th
Like most farmers, grass growth varied throughout May and June. Rates went from a high of 103kgs/DM/ha per day on May 16th to 33kgs/DM/ha/day in June. The average growth rates for the two both was 60kgs/DM/ha/day.
With demand on average at 51kgs/DM/ha/day the farm just grew enough. Cathal applied fertiliser on May 10th, 23rd and 29th of May in order the keep grass growing . The nitrogen source was in the form of protected urea at 20 units/acre.
Photo: Pasturebase for May and June 2024
As the farm heads into July , the days ahead are building to 20, which is ideal for this time of year. There are no heavy covers and the average farm cover is 980kgDM/ha.
Photo: Grass wedge 26th June 2024
Photo: May 13th. Grass growth peaked at 103 DM/ha/day in mid May
Photo: May 13th 2024
Photo: Cathal aims for a pre-grazing yield of 1500kg/DM/ha