Early Turnout and Silage Costs for 2022

By Keith Fahy, B&T Drystock Adviser, Teagasc, Galway/Clare

The principles of farming have never changed however they were never as important. Whether we look at animal health or soil health the basics have remained the same. This year it is vital that farmers get the basics right in terms of soil fertility, grass quality and silage preservation. With the three “F’s” (Feed, Fertiliser and Fuel) making up the main costs on the farm and with massive energy hikes these costs have never been as high. So if farmers are not utilising the three “F’s’” to their maximum efficiencies we could see major losses on dry stock farms in the coming year. There is no room for error this year or it will severely hit farmer’s pockets.

Getting back to basics when looking at feed and fertiliser prices we see some rations and nuts have gone over the €360/tonne mark with some bagged 18% calf rations coming in at over €10.50/bag at 40 bags per tonne this equates to €420/tonne or 42c/kg fed. Protected Urea with Sulphur has surpassed the €1000/tonne mark and even at that price is of limited availability with a lot of merchants not being able to source it. Regular Urea is trading around the €930/tonne mark with compounds such as 18-6-12 retailing around €750/tonne.

So it is vital that we soil sample, analyse results and spread the right fertiliser at the right rate at the right time. According to Met Eireann, mean soil temperatures have also been above normal over the past week by 2.6 to 3.7 degrees, ranging from 6.7 in the east to 8.9 degrees in the southwest. Mean soil temperatures are expected to remain well above average over the coming week. Farmers have started spreading Urea to help boost grass growth which is around the 5 to 6 kg/dm/ha daily growth rate at the minute. Soil conditions have been excellent with some stock being let out to grass due to the favourable conditions currently. Slurry on farms has never been as valuable and it is vital that we are making best use of the organic nutrients we have available on farm.

If we look at the table below there is a big difference in the Nitrogen use efficiency of slurry spread with a dribble bar/trail and shoe versus the traditional splash plate method.

Getting cattle out to grass has a number of benefits to both farmer and beast. Firstly every day at grass is worth about €2/LU (Livestock Unit). If we look at this in terms of yearling cattle this is worth about €1/day. People often ask where does Teagasc come up with this figure?  Research has been done and this figure is a calculation of the below benefits:

• Less winter feed costs – with grass being half the price of silage on a kg of DM basis
• Less costs – Such as lights/machinery/labour/diesel etc
• Better performance – Due to a leafier higher protein feed
• No Spreading or storage of slurry – Lowering costs and GHG emission’s

Farmers can use a spring rotation planner to ensure that they do not run out of grass later on in the spring if letting cattle out in the coming week/weeks. The target is to have 30% of the farm grazed by the 1^st of March. When letting out cattle ensure that you let out your lighter animals first onto covers of 700-900 kg/dm to get them used to grazing again.

Silage costs for 2022 is going to be a significant cost to farmers this year. Firstly if we look at spreading a bag and a half of UREA (If protected cannot be got) at €930 a tonne this equates to €46.5/bag, this would work out at €70/acre, if we spread 2,500 gallons of a 6% DM slurry per acre using the trailing shoe/dribble bar assuming a cost of €30 per load or 20 minutes @ €90/hour this equates to €30/acre. If we look at FCI (Farm Contractor Ireland) cost list they quote that it can cost up to approx. €12/bale excluding plastic to mow, bale and wrap. If we look at a roll of plastic and one merchant I rang said “I can’t quote prices for plastic yet but I assume it will be over €100 per roll”. If we take it we get 10 bales to the acre (5TDM/HA) assuming a roll will do 24-25 bales this is going to cost about €4/bale. We also have to allow €1 to 2 euro to bring in bale etc for haulier or own diesel/transport etc: Renting is also an additional cost. Please see table 2 below:

Table 2:

So it is vital that farmers ensure early turnout, maximise slurry and fertiliser efficiencies whilst making excellent silage as there is no room for error in a high cost year. Take care farming and be safe.