Grass gap opens

As grass growth picks up, a distinct difference is developing between recently sown leys and older pasture, according to data collected as part of the Farmers Weekly/EBLEX GrassWatch initiative.

Grass growth in more productive leys has taken off, responding to warmer conditions.

But less productive permanent pasture is still slow to grow, according to latest grass monitoring results collected from ten colleges around England.

“Recently sown leys will be growing much faster,” notes GrassMaster’s Charlie Morgan.

Feed quality is currently high, but expect that to change over time, he adds.

“We need to keep on top of those fast-growing swards. If you don’t put mouths in front of them, before you know it they’ll start to stem and you’ll lose quality.”

Older pasture could be up to a month behind, however. “The quality will still be high, but producers will need to check stocking levels are consistent with growth.”

This has been something of a problem this year, notes Mr Morgan. “In far too many cases stock has been turned out early as winter fodder levels ran low. But numbers have not been controlled and swards have been grazed too hard so are struggling to recover.

“Grass needs to retain its leaf to fuel itself and continue to grow throughout the season. For rotational cattle, that means pulling them out when they have grazed it down to around 4cm.”