Forage for Knowledge

Still some cool nights, and in some places soil moisture could become limiting, especially as growth kicks off and plant transpiration accelerates.

The growth rates from the sampling farms have been between 13 and 64 but the majority 20+, 30+ and 40+.

Along with this, I have seen four farms analysis today (9 April): dry matter 19.3–24.8%, crude protein 19–25% and ME 12.7–13.5.

So, there is growth, and there is great quality and great dry matter. Grazing conditions could not be better, so make sure you utilise it and review concentrate levels.

I have had several people say they reduced concentrate, and milk rose. Looking at the data it’s not surprising.

In terms of dry matter, there will be more dry matter than your platemeter suggests. So, if residuals aren’t what they could be, bring the allocation back a little.

As a guide for spring calving herds on a herd basis, it takes the cows 10–12 weeks to get to full appetite, and on a herd basis, if you allocate an extra 0.75 kg DM/head per week that should take an account.

If they are nailing the residual, allocate a little bit extra to see if they can eat more.

All year calvers (post twelve weeks calved) and autumns should be able to eat 16–18 kg/DM per cow with no or minimal concentrate.

Having said this, work from Moorepark suggests if the average dry matter intake is around 17–18 kg/DM per day in a herd, the range is 14–23 kg/DM per cow per day, with the low end being heifers and lower yielding cows and the high end being the top yielding cows.

But they will only eat this amount of grass if they are not filled up with expensive concentrate. So there is the opportunity to challenge cows.

I was speaking to a client yesterday about this, and he was worried about dropping concentrate on cows doing 29–30 litres.

The data suggests if those cows ate 20+ kg/DM grass at the quality it is now, the production is possible from grass and reduced concentrate.

Bear in mind the fifth kg concentrate substitutes 1 kg/DM of grass (the first kg concentrate substituting 0.25 kg/DM of grass), grazed grass at a third the cost and at least of equal quality, if not higher.

With most people at or beyond balance day, taking surplus comes into the equation going forward. What is your expected growth over the next 4–6 weeks?

Look at previous year’s growth data and compare to demand with paddocks taken out. Can you still maximise grazing?

Finally, pre-cut grass samples for early first cuts are always a good idea to make sure your cut silage has low ammonia nitrogen; sample today result back tomorrow.

Make sure the quality and quantity are well utilised.