Time to focus on grazing
Grazed grass is still the cheapest feedstuff available for livestock production systems in Ireland. With calving gathering pace and low rainfall levels bringing about an improvement in ground conditions, have you considered starting the grazing year?
From a milk production, feed budgeting and cost of production perspective, early spring grazed grass is a valuable feed source for dairy cows. To reap these benefits though, farmers must first assess ground conditions and complete an opening farm cover on PastureBase Ireland. Not only will this inform you of the paddocks where grazing can occur, but it will help in drawing up a grass budget for the weeks ahead.
Where grazing is possible, start with one allocation of grass per day in covers of 700-1,000kg DM/ha. These lower covers will help settle cows back into grazing before targeting heavier covers down the line. When planning on letting cows out for a three hour grazing bout, ensure they have an appetite to consume grass. This can be achieved by limiting access to silage from morning milking until about 10am, at which point cows are let to grass.
Offering more tips and advice on spring grassland management, the Teagasc Grass10 team, Knowledge Transfer Departments and Advisory Regions are hosting a series of Spring Pasture Mornings across the country. These events will focus on spring grazing management, encompassing selecting paddocks for early grazing, early nitrogen and slurry applications, feeding the cow in early lactation and successful feed budgeting. Find details of the nearest event to your farm below.
Tuesday, 11 February | 11am | Kilkenny
Teagasc, Kildalton College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Eircode: E32 YW08.
Tuesday, 11 February | 11am | Cork
Farm of Ian Hegarty, Ballymounteen, Ballynoe, Co. Cork. Eircode: P51 Y20N.
Wednesday, 12 February | 12noon | Carlow
Farm of Lauren Kinsella, Carrig More, Co. Carlow.
Monday, 17 February | 11am | Kerry
Farm of John Flahive, Ballynane, Annascaul, Co. Kerry. Eircode: V92 A298.
Tuesday, 18 February | 11am | Longford
Farm of Kevin & Enda Farrell, Corrabolla, Colehill, Co. Longford. Eircode: N39 KR98.
Tuesday, 18 February | 11am | Limerick
Farm of John Finucane, Askeaton, Co. Limerick. Eircode: V94 Y9V6.
Wednesday, 19 February | 11am | Mayo
Farm of Timmy Quinn, Castlecarra, Claremorris, Co. Mayo. Eircode: F12 X263.
Wednesday, 19 February | 11am | Louth
Farm of Nicholas Cooney, Tymullen, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Eircode: A92 XK02.
Wednesday, 19 February | 11am | Monaghan
Farm of Stephen, Gerard & Geraldine McQuillan, Emyvale, Co. Monaghan. Eircode: H18 VK50.
Wednesday, 19 February | 11:30am | Kerry
Farm of Paudie O'Brien, Briens Farm, Ballinvarrig, Firies, Co. Kerry. Eircode: V93 HE02.
Thursday, 20 February | 11:30am | Offaly
Farm of Fergal & Sylvia Daly, Cornagark, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly. Eircode: R42 XP98
Thursday, 20 February | 11am | Cork
Farm of Donie & Mary O'Donovan, Cullenaugh, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. Eircode: P81 YH28.
Thursday, 20 February | 11:30am | Limerick
Farm of Hugh & Aodán Brennan, Dromcollogher GAA Club, Co. Limerick. Eircode: P56 H584.
Thursday, 20 February | 11am | Sligo
Farm of Gary Shaw, Ballygilgan, Carney, Co. Sligo. Eircode: F91 K5F3.
Thursday, 20 February | 11am | Clare
Farm of James Slattery, Moyriesk, Quin, Co. Clare. Eircode: V95 A9FW.
Thursday, 20 February | 11am | Wexford
Farm of John Whelan & Michael Bryson, Clonsharragh, Ramsgrange, Co. Wexford. Eircode: Y34 W278.
Thursday, 20 February | 11am | Limerick
Farm of John Fox, Kilgarriff, Ballylanders, Co. Limerick. Eircode: V35 YK66.
Friday, 21 February | 11am | Cork
Farm of James Scanlan, Killinardrish, Carrigadrohid, Co. Cork. Eircode: P12 NY57.
Wednesday, 26 February | 11am | Kerry
Farm of Brendan, James & Eleanor Cremin, Ballydonoghue, Lisselton, Listowel, Co. Kerry. Eircode: V31 DW61.
Wednesday, 26 February | 11am | Kerry
Farm of Denis & Mairead McSweeney, Kilsarcon, Currow, Co. Kerry. Eircode: V93 P5Y0.
Wednesday, 26 February | 11am | Donegal
Farm of Vincent, Andrew & Bryan McNamee, Calhame, Convoy, Co. Donegal. Eircode: F93 H9RR.
Wednesday, 26 February | 11am | Wicklow
Farm of Ben & Robin Mooney, Dunbur Farm, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow. Eircode: A67 E6V3.
Thursday, 27 February | 11am | Wexford
Farm of Matt Stafford, Summerville Farm, Tomsallagh, Ferns, Co. Wexford. Eircode: Y21 C860.
Wednesday, 5 March | 11am | Cavan
Farm of Patrick Murtagh, Doon, Virginia, Co. Cavan. Eircode: A82 KT25.
Wednesday, 12 March | 11am | Cork
Farm of John & Eileen O'Callaghan, Monee, Mourneabbey, Co. Cork. Eircode: P51 PY79.