Archive Article: 2000/10/13
GRASS growth remains good in many areas, but recent wet weather is making accessibility to pasture difficult.
Lack of a complete track network and heavy rain means grazing is proving a challenge for Staffs producer Stephen Brandon. "Although there is plenty of grass, getting to and from pasture isnt doing cows any good so I am housing them at night."
Grass is also growing well at Christian Foxs Sussex unit with a daily growth rate of 48kg DM/ha. "Cows are still only receiving grass but from mid November, silage will be introduced to keep yields up and slow the rotation down.
"Yields are 14 litres/day which is slightly better than at this time last year. Im keeping an eye on cow condition and will dry lighter cows off in early November and the rest of the herd in late November," says Mr Fox.
Wet ground, lower temperatures and shortening day length have slowed grass growth to 30kg DM/ha in Northern Ireland, according to Greenmount College grazing technologist David Patterson.
"Water lying on ground produces a chilling effect which is slowing grass growth." *
Daily growth rates
Sussex 48kg DM/ha
Northern Ireland 30kg DM/ha
Dorset 35kg DM/ha
Staffs 46kg DM/ha