Grange Research Centre Updates

Grange Update 22-02-22, Nicky Byrne

Average farm cover is currently 730 kg DM/ha, with an overwinter growth of 5 kg DM/ha. Silage paddocks were grazed in the winter to avoid spring grazing, which increases herd demand and allows focus to be put on completing the first rotation. This will encourage the growth of high quality grass for subsequent grazings. Slurry was applied to 55% of the farm via trailing shoe in January, but chemical fertiliser has been delayed until late February/early March due to low soil temperatures and high herbage availability, meaning application can be delayed until the maximum response will be achieved.

Perennial ryegrass + red clover silage swards had a red clover proportion of 19% in mid-January, these swards will receive no chemical N in a multi-cut system, with slurry from finishing cattle applied via trailing shoe being the main source of nutrients.  Weanlings received perennial ryegrass + red clover silage ad-lib in addition to 1.5 kg of concentrate over their first winter and have achieved excellent performance as outlined in table 1. In advance of turnout to pasture, concentrate will be removed from the weanling’s diet in order to maximise their growth response from high quality spring grass.