Dairy Cattle - Grass and Feeding

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Dairy
Focus turns to sward quality and replacing nutrients
Martin Merrick
Reports from farmers have indicated that swards have started to become stemmy at medium covers.
24 May 2023 Grass & feeding
Clover wins Grassland Farmer of the Year title for Clare farmer
Earlier this week Aidan Brennan visited the farm of Diarmaid Fitzgerald, the winner of the Grassland Farmer of the Year for 2022.
23 May 2023 Grass & feeding
Five steps to managing swards mid-season
Swards have started to become stemmy out on some farms as the heading date for many perennial rye grass species approaches.
The Grass Week: growth kicks forward another gear
While still behind the 10-year average for the time of year, grass growth rates have pushed on considerably since the start of the month.
20 May 2023 Grass & feeding
Focusing on silage quality to reduce concentrates
Following grass, silage is the cheapest source of feed on most livestock farms, and care needs to be taken to ensure we optimise its value.
17 May 2023 Climate and environment
More mowing and not less fertiliser to control grass
Ground conditions have improved nicely with warm dry weather, which is also the root of the high growths being seen in the past week.
17 May 2023 Grass & feeding
Heavy rain hampers grazing and cleanouts
Heavy rain over the whole country has made grazing difficult and grass utilisation has fallen, writes Aidan Brennan and Shane Dobson.
10 May 2023 Grass & feeding
Getting the most out of clover
Now is the time to start managing clover fields differently to grass-only fields.
10 May 2023 Grass & feeding
The Grass Week: strong growth but showers to pause mowing surplus grass
Some showers set to sweep across the country over the next week will put a pause on mowers hitting fields.
6 May 2023 Grass & feeding
Rise in growth lifting mood of farmers
After several false springs, the settled weather and growth has landed in time for breeding 2023.
3 May 2023 Grass & feeding
The Grass Week: some farmers mowing surplus while others struggle for cover
Growth is variable across the country and across farms, where drystock farmers seem to be feeling the pinch the most.
29 April 2023 Grass & feeding
Replacing silage stocks on the mind of many
While conditions are cooler than expected, the settled weather will suit cows as breeding commences.
26 April 2023 Grass & feeding