Tough conditions

Shane Gleeson of Cappamore, Co. Limerick is facing fodder issues following poor growth response and the recent bad weather.

Shane spread urea at a rate of 23 units per acre on 50% of his drier ground in mid-February. So far, the response has been poor with growth rates typically coming in between 3kg and 5kg DM/day. Average farm cover has been around 625kg DM/ha for mid March, with roughly 20% of drier land grazed. Lower covers were grazed first but wet weather and snow has meant stock had to be taken off land a number of times in the last month. Silage reserves are running low on the farm, with about three weeks’ supply left. An outbreak of cryptosporidium occurred mid-calving season and Shane has tackled the issue by treating with Halocur and turning cows and calves to grass as they calve. He will attempt to curtail further infection next year by power washing the sheds mid-summer and disinfecting thoroughly. Shane will apply a further 35-40 units of nitrogen (N) per acre in late March to try and stimulate growth. Approximately 20% of ground received 2,500 gallons of slurry in February. This land is low in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and will be targeted with 18-6-12 for the rest of the year to try and improve soil fertility.