Fás agus Bainisiú féir - Grass growth and measurement
Inniu buaileann Joanne Masterson le Martin Mulkerrins agus a dhearthair Diarmuid, agus pléann said fás agus bainistiú féir – Today Joanne Masterson, Teagasc Athenry meets with Martin Mulkerrins & his brother Diarmuid to discuss grass growth & management in the "Farming in the Moycullen Gaeltacht"
"Fás agus Bainistiú féir – Grass growth and measurement" is the title of the latest video in the "Farming in the Moycullen Gaeltacht" series of videos which you can watch here on Teagasc Daily.
Grass is the cheapest feed on the farm. The goal is to maximise the amount of high quality grass we can grow.
Martin Mulkerrins, Lecturer at Mountbellew Agricultural College, begins by taking a look at the amount of grass required by sheep and cattle on a daily basis. Ewes rearing lambs require up to 20kg fresh-weight of grass per day. Heavy cattle 600-700 kg and dairy cows require up to 100kg or more fresh-weight of grass each per day, depending on breed and time of year.
The Grass Plant
Martin goes on to discuss the growth of the grass plant. The grass plant contains just 3 live leaves at any time. The first leaf is produced from the endergy stored in the plant roots while the second and third leaves are produced as a result of the first leaft using energy from the sun. As the grass continues to grow the first leaf (at the bottom) dies off, while a new leaf is produced at the top of the grass plant - again 3 live leaves.
Good quality leafy grass eaten by livestock results in milk production with higher levels of protein and better weight gain in animals. Such good quality grass is contained with 8-10cm of grass height.
As the grass plant grows and stem is produced the grass loses quality. Having a rotational grazing system in place, which means moving the stock from field to field or paddock to paddock every day or every 3- 4 days, helps to maintain good quality grass in the field and in front of the animals at all times. With this system measuring grass is recommended to manage it properly.
Measuring grass
Diarmuid Mulkerrins discusses his grass meauring experience. He agrees with the statement "you cannot manage what you don't measure" in the case of grass. He says while measuring grass gives farmers information about the amount and quality of the grass, more importantly it gives them confidence in managing what they have. He lists the 3 common grass measuring methods:
- The sward stick
- The platemeter
- The cut and weigh method
He demonstrates the cut and weigh method and how to calculate the amount of grass dry matter (DM) in the field. Diarmuid uses the PastureBase Ireland App to record his information. When all of the farm is measured the information provided helps the farmer to make the correct decisions when there are grass shortages or surplusses on the farm.
Watch the video to learn about grass growth & management with Martin, Diarmuid & Joanne
Learn more about Grassland and about Grass10 here
Teagasc Advisors are regular contibutors of articles here on Teagasc Daily. If you require any help or advice in the area of growing grass, contact your local Teagasc Advisory Office here: Advisory Regions.
Farming in the Moycullen Gaeltacht Video series is brought to you by the Teagasc Galway/Clare Advisory Region, along with the help of Conradh na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Teach na Gaeilge Maigh Cuilinn.
You might like to also watch other videos in the series: