DairyCo

Five timely tips for grassland management

Published 14 June 11

DairyCo's Chris Duller suggests the top five things you should be thinking about at this stage in the season:

1. In this showery weather it is likely that the odd grazing paddock has suffered from poor utilisation on a wet day - make sure these are either topped as the cows come out or pre-mowed for the next grazing to maximise quality and intakes.
2. Leys with a significant clover content (30%+) will be starting to fix nitrogen at a rate of around 1kgN/ha/day - ease up on the nitrogen and let them do the work.
3. Don't forget sulphur applications for 2nd cut and 3rd cut silages.
4. Pay attention to detail on cereal crops - with grain and straw prices heading skywards don't take your eyes off valuable cereal fields.  Hit pest and disease problems early - if you normally make wholecrop think seriously about taking it through to crimp or a grain crop.  And be aware that some crops will be further ahead than normal due to the dry weather.
5. Count how long the grass takes to produce a leaf.  If it takes 10 days for one leaf you're looking at a round of about 30 days.  With recent rain in some areas and potentially some warmer weather grass growth could speed up.

Take a look at the latest Forage for Knowledge Grassland figures.