Time to act on your paddock system
If you are thinking of putting a paddock system in place or even modifying your existing paddocks, now is the time to take action, Fergal Maguire, DairyBeef 500 Advisor, tells us more.
For the first time, cattle (bovine) fencing is now grant aided under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS). Under this scheme, cattle electric fencing has a reference cost of €2.77/m. This cost is the maximum figure on which grant aid will be paid. However, it is likely that it will take at least 3-6 months before farmers are approved to carry out this action, so now is the time to contact your local farm advisor about designing an appropriate paddock system and then making an application.
We all know that grazed grass is the cheapest source of feed available to beef producers in Ireland. With this in mind, dairy calf to beef producers should aim increase the quantity and quality of grass grown, while also prioritising utilisation.
By providing stock with top-quality grass consistently throughout the grazing season, optimum growth rates can be achieved in all age groups of grazing stock.
Rotational grazing of different groups of cattle should enable farmers to build up grass in the autumn, extend the grazing season for stock, and to carry grass over the winter to allow for early turnout in February.
One of the main targets on our DairyBeef 500 farms is to have at least 80% of a steer or heifer’s diet coming from grazed grass or silage. This would not be possible without having a good paddock system in place.
DairyBeef 500 farmer, Aidan Maguire beliefs the high levels of average daily gain achieved by his cattle stems from having a good paddock systems in place.
“It is a lot easier to manage grass when the paddock system is in place. I can see when there is a shortage or surplus of grass coming and then I can take remedial action. It also allows me to get light cattle out early in February,” Aidan said.
How does a paddock system improve farm performance?
Paddock grazing works on the basic principle of `graze and rest’. Once a paddock is grazed, it is allowed a rest period to rejuvenate the sward’s leaf content for the following rotation. During the main growing season, the growing cycle for high-quality perennial ryegrass swards should be 18-21 days. This grass should be grazed out in 1-3 days.
A paddock system enables a lot more high-quality grass to grow in comparison to set stocked paddocks, without the addition of any other inputs. Paddock grazing has a lot of other positive benefits for farmers including: increased daily live weight gain, through improved sward quality; reduced labour when checking and herding cattle; and more control on grazing management.
Additionally, a paddock system allows for taking out surplus grass, resulting in top-quality silage production during the peak growing season, and the development of a suitable rotation which can reduce the risk of parasites – especially in calves.
Steps to setting up a paddock system
Develop a farm map with exact areas
The first step in establishing a paddock system is the development of a detailed farm map. This will identify ungrazeable areas – such as walls, ditches and hedgerows - and will influence where paddocks and farm roadways will go. Talk to your advisor about developing a farm map or alternatively use your own paper map. There are also a number of free maps on-line and apps that can be used to map the farm.
Number each paddock
A number of fields have field names. By using a number on each paddock, this can help simplify the setting up of a map of the farm and splitting fields. It will also help if you decide to measure grass in the future.
Paddock size
The aim on dairy calf to beef farms is to grow grass in three weeks and graze it in at least three days. A common question arises regarding the correct paddock size when dividing up fields. An example of calculating the grazing area is outlined in Table 1 below. This assumes a group of 50 400kg yearlings, grazing on free-draining, productive ground. The plan is to have 7-8 paddocks per grazing group. Avoid long and narrow paddocks to minimise poaching. Aim for a ratio of 2:1, so paddocks are twice as long as they are wide.
Table 1: Calculating the correct paddock size
| Calculating the correct paddock size | |
|---|---|
| Stock numbers (A) | 50 |
| Average weight (B) | 400kg |
| Grazing days per paddock (C) | 3 |
| Total kilograms of liveweight (A*B*C) | 60,000kg |
| Grass intake over three days (2% of total kg of liveweight) (D) | 1,200kg DM |
| Target pre-grazing cover (E) | 1,400kg DM/ha |
| Ideal paddock size (D/E) | 0.85ha or 2.1ac |
Plan out drinking points when dividing fields
Trough location in the paddock is well worth considering and avoid locating troughs near gateways. Positioning the water trough in a central location in the paddock can allow for further splits to occur. Additionally, ensure the paddocks is positioned on level ground and balanced with some hardcore, if necessary.
In some cases, splitting fields like the spokes of a wheel from the drinker will ensure that cattle continue to have access to water while getting regular allocations of grass. Alternatively, dividing larger, square fields in four – with one drinker serving many paddocks is an option.
Farm roadways
The use of permanent or temporary roadways can be very effective for managing grass. Roadways enable more efficient access to paddocks, while allowing for easier movement and management of livestock around the farm. Roadways also allow for easier management of grass during difficult grazing conditions.
Ultimately, your farm’s budget will determine which roadway type is selected, but grant aid is also available for the installation of new farm roadways, with a reference cost of €24.90/m (linear).
Fergal Maguire works as an advisor on the Teagasc DairyBeef 500 Campaign. For more information on the campaign, click here.