Archive Article: 2002/07/26
RECENT sunshine has given grass a kick start on most Grass Watch farms with many planning third silage cuts to maintain quality.
Based in Staffs, Stephen Brandon has plenty of grass, but is applying small doses of nitrogen to maintain quality. "Grass is growing at 60kg DM a day and cow requirement is only 40kg, so I am very happy."
Mr Brandon took second cut silage 2-3 weeks ago and is planning to cut a further couple of paddocks in August.
Cows in his February calving herd are averaging 24 litres a day and have received no concentrate since mid-June.
No concentrates have been fed on Pembrokes-based Richard Johns farm for two years and with a non-return rate of 62% for his spring calving herd, he is happy with the results. "They are in good condition and yielding 19.5 litres a day.
"We are currently on a 16-day grazing rotation. I would be happier if this was 21 days, but recent growth rates of 75kg DM a day mean I am not too worried. We will work towards a 30-day round by September."
Also happy with growth rates is Mark Osman, based in Berks. "Grass is growing above cows requirement and we are gaining 50kg DM a day. We applied 46kg/ha of urea a couple of weeks ago and also plan to top up potash levels." *
Cumbria 87kg DM/ha
Staffs 60kg DM/ha
N Ireland 65kg DM/ha
Pembrokes 75kg DM/ha
Berks 50kg DM/ha