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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE Dry Cows Minerals
08
PAGE How To Reach The Carbon
13 Footprint 2030 Target
PAGE Time To Get The Lime
21 Spreader Out!!
PAGE CHFC Matters
30
ISSUE 90 - August 2020 www.dairygoldagri.ie
Welcome to the August edition of
MILK MATTERS
DAIRYGOLD’S DAIRY ADVISORY BULLETIN
CONTENTS
Dear Milk Matters Reader, The Year To Date .....................................03
Nutrition Matters ......................................04
In this month’s Milk Matters we
Dry Cow Minerals.....................................08
introduce to you, Dairygolds’
Sustainable Soils Sevice. Within this Nutrition Matters.......................................09
programme, Dairygold will arrange Dairygold Mixes 2020.............................11
for your farm to be sampled and will How To Reach The Carbon
produce a bespoke lime, slurry and Footprint 2030 Target..............................13
chemical fertiliser plan to maximise
Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency
your farms nutrient use efficiency. through Dairygolds Sustainable
Soils Service .............................................15
John McCarthy from the Dairygold / Teagasc soil pilot
Dairygold / Teagasc Joint
programme gives us an insight into growing high volumes of
Programme - Protected Urea................20
grass without any chemical P allowance.
Time To Get The Lime
Spreader Out!!...........................................21
Heifer rearing is one of the biggest costs on your farm. Are your
heifers on target now, to be at the correct liveweight at housing Grass Matters............................................22
and subsequently at breeding? Follow the advice outlined on Dairy Farming On Difficult /
page 6 to ensure your heifers meet their targets. Heavy Land ...............................................24
Dairygold / Teagasc Joint
Milk supplied to Dairygold has held up really well this summer. Programme - Joe Morrissey..................25
Within, Nutrition Matters, we look at our extended milk plateau Fertility and Breeding..............................26
and examine the cost benefit ratio to feeding concentrates this
C.A.H.L. Notes...........................................29
autumn. Karl Skehan also looks at what makes a good dry cow
mineral and examines what you should be looking for in a bag. CHFC Matters............................................30
AHI Notes...................................................31
To keep grass in your cows diet for as long as possible you Lean Farm..................................................32
need to start increasing rotation length and building covers
from early August. In Grass Matters, John Maher examines
the key management techniques necessary to successfully
achieve this.
In Fertility and Breeding Matters, Dennis Howard from
Munster Bovine discusses SCC in August and Johnes
disease while also exploring Salmonella.
Yours Sincerely, To contact the editor of
MILK
MATTERS
Liam Stack M.Agr.Sc
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
PAGE Dry Cows Minerals
08
PAGE How To Reach The
13 Carbon
Footprint 2030 Target
RUMINANT TECHNICAL MANAGER,
PAGE Time To Get The
21 Spreader Out!!
Lime
PAGE CHFC Matters
30
ISSUE 90 - August
DAIRYGOLD AGRIBUSINESS
2020
www.dairygoldag
ri.ie
email: lstack@dairygold.ie
2 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
THE YEAR TO DATE
By LIAM STACK, M.Agr.Sc, Ruminant Technical Manager
THE YEAR TO DATE
By LIAM STACK, M.Agr.Sc, Ruminant Technical Manager
Grass Growth
Grass Growth:
Milk Protein % (weeks 1-29)
Milk Protein % (weeks 1-29)
Protein
Protein % %
4.30 2017 2018
2019 2020
4.10
3.90
3.70
3.50
3.30
3.10
Milk Protein % (weeks 1-29) 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
Protein
Protein%%
4.30
Milk 2017
4.30production to week 29 (figures based on 2018
ICBF cow numbers):
2017 2018
2019 2020
Milk production to week 29 (figures based
4.10
2019 on ICBF cow numbers):
2020
2019 Milk Butterfat % (weeks 1-29)
2017
2020 2018
4.10 YTD
Butterfat %
Total annual milk Yield per cow in dairygold (kg)
Total
3409 3252 3454 3483
2017 2018 2019 2020
3.90annual Milk Solids per cow (kg) 252 240 254 259
2017 2018
3.90
YTD Average Protein % 3.38 3.40 3.34 3.45
4.95
YTD Average Fat % 4.00 3.98 4.02 4.00 YTD
2019 2020
3.70Average Lactose %
YTD 4.94 4.92 4.84 4.83
Total annual Milk Yield per cow in Dairygold (kg)
3.70
3409
4.75
3252 3454 3483
3.50 4.55
Total annual Milk Solids per cow (kg)
3.50 252 240 254 259
4.35
YTD Average Protein %
3.30
3.30
3.38 3.40 3.34 3.45
4.15
YTD Average Fat %
3.10 4.00 3.98 4.02 4.00
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 3.95
3.10
YTD
1 3Average
5 7 9 11 Lactose
13 15 17 19 21%23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 4.943.75 4.92 4.84 4.83
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
Milk
MilkButterfat
Butterfat% %
(weeks 1-29)
(weeks 1-20) Milk Lactose % (weeks 1-29)
Milk Butterfat % (weeks 1-29) Milk Lactose % (weeks 1-29)
Butterfat % 5.10
Butterfat
Butterfat
2017
%%
2018 Lactose
Lactose % %
4.95 2017 2018 5.00
2019 2020
4.95 2019 2020
4.75 4.90
4.75
4.55 4.80
4.55
4.35 4.70
4.35
4.15
4.15 4.60
2017 2018
3.95
3.95 4.50 2019 2020
3.75 W I T H C O M P L I M E N T S
3.75 4.40
11 33 55 77 99 11
11 13
13 15
15 17
17 19
19 21
21 23
23 25
25 27
27 29
29 31
31 33
33 35
35 37
37 39
39 41
41 43
43 45
45 47
47 49
49 51
51
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
Reply to: West End, Mallow, Co. Cork, P51 R593, Ireland. T +353 (0)22 21592 info@dairygold.ie www.dairygold.ie
Milk Lactose % (weeks 1-20)
3
NUTRITION MATTERS
By LIAM STACK,
M.Agr.Sc, Ruminant Technical Manager
Milk Volume:
Milk volume should decline at no greater than 2% per week or 10% per month. Volume declines of greater than this
are an indication of poor energy nutrition. Once volume starts to decline it’s very hard to stop. This is especially
true as we approach late lactation. After a production decline adding energy back into the diet is not guaranteed
to give a volume increase. However, it will slow the drop back to a more natural rate.
120%
100%
80%
60% Milk supplied to Dairygold has declined
by 15% since supply peaked in week 21
or by 1.7% per week.
40%
20%
0%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Example decline rates:
Volume at Current No. of weeks Total Decline % Weekly
Peak (a) Yield (b) since peak (c) % (d) decline
28 24 8 14% 1.75%
28 22 8 21% 2.6%
28 19 8 32% 4%
Total decline = (Peak yield (a) - current yield (b)/Peak yield (a)
% Weekly decline = ((Total decline % (d)/ (No. of week since peak (c))
How has your herds volume held up?
Volume at Current No. of weeks Total Decline % Weekly
Peak (a) Yield (b) since peak (c) % (d) decline
To maintain milk volume:
1. C
ontinue to utilise the best grassland management techniques
2. Feed concentrates where appropriate
4 www.dairygoldagri.ie
2. Feed concentrates where appropriate
ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
Economics of concentrate feeding autumn 2020:
In late lactation 1kg of concentrates can generate 1kg of extra milk. With concentrates costing
c.€280-300/T
Economics and milk valued
of concentrate feedingat autumn
35-38c/kg (including higher solids value), every 1kg or 28-
2020:
30c spend
In late lactation 1kg of concentrates can generate 1kg of extra milk. With concentrates costing c.€280-300/T and
on concentrates is going to return 35-38c worth of milk. This is a c. 20% return on investment.
milk valued at 35-38c/kg (including higher solids value), every 1kg or 28-30c spend on concentrates is going to
return 35-38c
A 90-cow worth
herd of milk.1 This
feeding kg ofis aconcentrates
c. 20% return on
willinvestment.
return €216-270 per month after the
concentrate
cost.
A Feeding
90-cow concentrates
herd feeding must be done
1 kg of concentrates will responsibly
return €216-270andper
in month
a balanced approach
after the to cost. Feeding
concentrate
maintaining must
concentrates grassbequantity and quality
done responsibly andon
in ayour farm. approach
balanced If you aretofeeding concentrates
maintaining to the
grass quantity and quality
detriment of
on your farm. If you are feeding concentrates to the detriment of your grass quality this value will not be realised.
your grass quality this value will not be realised.
Is it too early to talk about Lactose?
Is it too early to talk about Lactose?
We must act now to manage October milk lactose.
We must act now to manage October milk lactose.
Milk
Milklactose
lactosehas
hasdeclined over
declined thethe
over pastpast
couple of years.
couple It is lower
of years. this August
It is lower than it than
this August has been
it hasin previous
been in previous Augusts. Presently there are no current consequences for this lower
Augusts. Presently there are no current consequences for this lower level but if the milk lactose levelthis year
decline
but if the
follows the milk
samelactose
pattern decline thisyears,
as previous yearthen
follows
milk the same
lactose willpattern
becomeas an previous
issue earlieryears, thenthan
this year milklast.
lactose will become an issue early this year than last.
Lactose levels of less than 4.45% affect your monthly balance score card, if your lactose levels are less than 4.2%
Lactose levels of less than 4.45% affect your monthly balance score card, if your lactose
it will affect both your balance score card and monthly base price.
levels are less than 4.2% it will affect both your balance score card and monthly base price.
Managing
Managingcow cowenergy intake
energy fromfrom
intake mid-august is critical
mid-august to your October
is critical to your lactose
October levels. Managing
lactose levels.energy intake
Managing
is energy intake
all about managing is all about managing total intake.
total intake.
5.10
Lactose %
5.00
4.90
4.80
4.70
4.60
2017 2018
4.50 2019 2020
4.40
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51
IfIf your
yourfarm
farmis is highly
highly stocked
stocked at 3.5atLU/ha
3.5 lu/ha and
and on on target
target forcome
for grass grass come mid-august
mid-august you
you will have will c.750kg
a cover
have a cover c.750kg DM/ha. You will want to increase this to c.1000 kg DM/ha and
DM/ha. You will want to increase this to c.1000 kg DM/ha and 1200kg DM/ha by mid-September. i.e you want 1200kg
DM/ha
to by450kgDM
build c. mid-September. i.e across
grass per ha you want to build
the month c. 450kgDM
or you want grassgrass
supplyper ha across
(growth) the month
to exceed demandorby an
average of 15kg DM/ha across the 30 days.
If grass grows at 55kgDM/ha across those 30 days your demand needs to be no greater than 40kgDM/ha.
Concentrate feeding and or a buffer of grass silage is required to lower grass demand to this level.
At 3.5 LU/ha and with concentrates alone, 6Kgs are required to drop demand to 40kg. At lower concentrates
5
feeding levels silage will be needed. Farms stocked at lower levels (c.2-2.5 LU/ha) will not require this level of
feeding. (See Grass Matter for grassland management advice).
In previous years if you have been building these covers without the additional feeding you have been either:
• under feeding your cows to build covers, this will start a lactose decline that will ultimately lead to low levels
from October
• not building your cover adequately in August
ARE YOUR HEIFERS ON TARGET?
Latest figures indicate the cost of rearing a heifer to calve down at 24 months is €1550, with the cost doubling if
she doesn’t calf until 36 months. The 24-month calving heifer won’t start to leave a profit until half way through
her 2nd lactation.
Heifers that fail to meet their target weights:
• Are harder to get in calf
• will produce less milk in their first lactation and struggle to go back in-calf.
By early August your weanling will be approaching the 6-month mark with your yearlings approaching the 18-month
mark.
Target weight for age for replacement heifers:
6-month Weanling 18-month Yearlings
(kg) (kg)
% mature 30% 70%
bodyweight
Breed
Holstein Friesian 175 405
British Friesian 165 385
X bred 150 365
To ensure that your heifers hit the target, take the following steps:
• Weigh heifers
• Separate underweight heifers from those at or above target weight.
• Give priority grazing and meals to the underweight group;
• Feed 1-2kg/head/day to the underweight heifers
• Re-weigh in six weeks - some heifers will be heavy enough to join the heavy group and some of the heavies
may have to join the light group.
• At this stage feed all heifers may need 1-2kg/day to keep them growing prior to housing.
WITH COMPLIMENTS
Reply to: West End, Mallow, Co. Cork, P51 R593, Ireland. T +353 (0)22 21592 info@dairygold.ie www.dairygold.ie
6 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
Prime elite
Heifer
rearer
A 19% protein nut to support growth of
body frame and to achieve target
mating weights.
Contains biotin, a B vitamin to promote
healthy hoof growth and decrease
incidence of lameness.
Supports the development of milk
producing cells in the udder.
High levels of good quality
proteins to promote lean
muscle growth.
Lameness Lean Muscle U
Growth Dev
Lameness Lean Muscle Udder
Growth Development
Lameness Lean Muscle Udder
Growth Development
For more Information
Please contact your local Area Sales Manager or our Inside Sales Team on 022 31644
7
DRY COW MINERALS
By KARL SKEHAN, B.Agr.Sc,
Area Sales Manager, Mob: 085 8001089
If you’re buying your dry cow minerals now be cautious • Enhanced immunity and thrive
and ensure that your minerals are going to meet the • Improved cow fertility
requirements of the cow.
Element What It Effects Comment
Mg Milk Fever pre-calver mineral
A
should contain 30+
grms per day
Cu (Copper) Fertility, immune A pre-calver mineral
status, production should contain
c.400mg/day. To limit
losses and maximise
cow availability
c.25-30% of this Cu
should be in the
bioplex form
Mineral Feeding Pre-Calving Zn (Zinc) Lameness, SCC,
Mastitis, Production
A pre-calver mineral
should contain
The objectives of a Dry Cow Management Program c.500mg/day. To limit
are for the cow to calve: losses and maximise
cow availability
c.25-30% of this Zn
1. In an optimum calcium status; This is a function should be in the
of the silage mineral status and the level mineral bioplex form
of Magnesium and Vitamin D3 in the pre-calving
Se (Selenium) Retained Cleansings, A pre-calver mineral
mineral. Colostrum Quality, should contain
2. With reduced metabolic disorders; This is influenced Afterbirth, SCC, c.5mg/day. To limit
Mastitis losses and maximise
by the mineral Magnesium, Iodine, Selenium and
cow availability
Vitamin E & A levels. c.25-30% of this Se
3. In an optimum immune status; This is influenced by should be Selpex
the mineral Vitamins and trace elements (Selenium
Iodine Weak Calves, A pre-calver mineral
and Vitamins A & E). Embryonic Deaths should contain, but
4. Producing high quality colostrum; This is influenced not exceed 60mg/
day.
by the mineral and vitamin supplementation.
Vitamin A Retained Placenta A pre-calver mineral
Mineral must haves: should contain
>60,000 iu/day.
A mineral that is formulated to meet the must haves in
the accompanying tables will result in (assuming BCS, Vitamin D Milk Fever A pre-calver mineral
energy and protein nutrition and calving management should contain
>12,000 iu/day.
are correct):
• Reduction in sub-clinical milk fever Vitamin E Retained Cleansings, A pre-calver mineral
• Less retained placenta Colostrum Quality, should contain >500
Afterbirth, SCC, iu/day.
• Reduced calf mortality
Mastitis
8 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
WHY SHOULD I RESEED?
By SUSAN CASEY,
B.Agr.Sc., Area Sales Manager
Reseeding costs c. € 750/Ha. Reseeded swards
should last 8-10+ years on your farm if correctly
managed. High perennial rye grass swards cover the
cost of reseeding within 18 months.
1. L ow perennial ryegrass swards grow less grass,
Why shouldespecially
I Reseed? in the spring when grass is of most
economic value to your enterprise. Spring
Reseeding costs c. € 750/Ha. Reseeded swards should last 8 -10+ years on your farm if
grassHigh
correctly managed. growth
perennialaccounts for
rye grass swards c.15%
cover the costof the PPIwithin
of reseeding value18
months.
of a variety.
1. Low perennial rye grass swards grow less grass, especially in the spring when grass is
of most economic value to your enterprise. Spring grass growth accounts for c.15%
Dry Matter Production of 15% and 100% Perennial
of the PPI value of a variety.
Ryegrass
Dry Swards
Matter Production of 15% and 100% Perennial Ryegrass Swards
3. N
ew reseeds are 25% more responsive to
Nitrogen
KEY POINT: Swards with a low
content of Perennial Ryegrass (PRG)
are reducing your profit by €300/
ha (€120/acre) due to reduced dry
matter (DM) production alone.
Each extra tonne of grass dry matter can increase farm profit by €181/ha for Dairy farmers.
Each
2. Lowextra tonne
perennial ofswards
rye grass grass dry
are of lowermatter canandincrease
quality (DMD) support lowerfarm
levels 9 POINT GUIDE TO ACHIEVING
of production compared to new reseeds. Correct grassland managements also plays
profita massive
by €181/ha forquality.
role in pasture Dairy farmers.
A combination of both will lead to increase grass OPTIMAL RESULTS WHEN RESEEDING
DMD across the main grazing season.
2. ofL
An increase ow perennial
1% in grass ryegrass swards are
digestibility will: of lower 1. Identify fields most in need of reseeding. Fields
- increase dry matter intake by 0.3-0.4kg DM
quality
- increase milk yield (DMD)
by 0.5-0.6 kg and support lower levels of not reseeded in over 10 years should take
pasture. production compared to new reseeds.permanent
High PRG swards allow 8% higher milk output per hectare compared to old Correct priority.
grassland management also plays a massive
role in pasture quality. A combination of both 2. T
ake a soil sample after ploughing for Lime, P
will lead to increased grass DMD across the & K levels. Contact your Area Sales Manager
main grazing season. or local Dairygold store for soil sampling rates
and advice.
An increase of 1% in grass digestibility will:
- increase dry matter intake by 0.3-0.4kg DM Lime :
- increase milk yield by 0.5-0.6 kg Lime at sowing is essential. As the old sward decays, it
releases acids which lower the pH and create a difficult
High PRG swards allow 8% higher milk output per environment for the new seed trying to germinate.
hectare compared to old permanent pasture.
9
Using either ground lime or bagged lime will help Why is heading date important?
counteract this acidity and is essential even if your soil Heading date is important as it refers to the date when
pH is already good. a grass plant turns reproductive and the seed head
emerges from the plant.
Phosphorus and Potassium:
As the new seed germinates it requires Phosphorous A range of less than seven days is advised for your
(P) and Potassium (K), which are essential for root and silage swards and 10 days for your grazing sward. The
tiller development as the new plants emerge. longer the range in heading date, the more difficult
it is to manage the sward and maintain sward quality
Soil P K during the mid-season period.
Index (units per acre) (units per acre)
5. E
nsure there is no thrash in the field. You should
1 60 110 have a firm and fine seedbed whether you
2 40 75 are ploughing or using a minimum cultivation
technique.
3 30 50
4 0 30
Cloddy seedbed
A cloddy seedbed occurs as a result of cultivating too
soon after spraying the old sward.
On index 3 soils 3 bags of 10-10-20 will provide: 30units
of P and 60 units of K. Allowing adequate time for the herbicide to kill the
roots is essential to ensure the roots are destroyed –
3. S
pray off the field with a glyphosate product. and will avoid clods in the seedbed.
Graze or cut for silage within 7-10 days. For
min-till operations, leave 16-20 days from Soft Seedbed
spraying to cultivation. Carry out land drainage A soft, loose or ‘fluffy’ seedbed can occur if the soil is
if needed. overworked and is often seen when too many passes
of the disc harrow or power harrow occur.
4. C
hoose the most suitable seed mixture for
your needs. Choose seed varieties on the Irish Avoiding this is essential, as the seed will get buried
Recommended List. Your Area Sales Manager too deep and poor establishment will occur.
is available to offer advice on seed mixtures.
An old rule is you should be able to cycle a bike across
the seed bed before the seed is sown, so roll prior to
sowing if necessary to firm it up.
Inadequate rolling – plant pulling and moisture loss
Rolling is essential to create good soil-to-seed contact
and it also helps maintain moisture within the seedbed.
Often plants emerge quickest where the tractor wheel
marks are; this is a sure sign the field was inadequately
rolled and a common issue seen with new reseeds.
When choosing a mix:
• E
nsure the mixture only contains varieties off 6. S
ow the field and lime once a suitable seedbed
the DAFM Irish Recommended List or PPI – is established. Apply fertiliser as per your soil
these varieties have proven performance in our sample recommendations.
growing conditions. 7. O
bserve the field regularly after sowing to
• H
ave the right balance of diploids and tetraploids examine for pest damage (slugs, fruit fly etc.)
– generally the advice is 50-60% tetraploid and 8. G
raze the sward at a low cover for the first
40-50% diploid; this will help ensure a high- grazing. This supports tillering of the plant in
quality, palatable sward with good persistency order to promote establishment.
and sward density.
9. U
se a suitable spray after establishment to
• E
nsure a narrow range in heading date. control common grassland weeds.
10 www.dairygoldagri.ieMixture No 1+: High Clover Grazing (Also available without clover) ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
DAIRYGOLD MIXES 2020
By JOHN FRIEL,
B.Agr.Sc, Area Sales Manager. Mob: 086 246 1648
MixtureNo
Mixture No.
1+:1:High
High Clover
Clover Grazing
Grazing (Also (Also available
available without
without clover)
clover)
High inclusion of Astonenergy and Meiduno make this mix 57% T.
Higher levels of T are desirable as they lead to increased palatability
and performance on farm. Astonenergy has continually proven its
quality and superior graze out potential with the Teagasc on-farm
variety trials. Over all this mixture offers good seasonal growth,
quality and palatability.
A high tetraploid (astonenergy and meiduno) and clover mix. Taking advantage of astonenergys
exceptional palatability, quality, seasonal growth with proven pasturebase on-farm performance.
Variety Heading Date Pliody
Mix 1 PPI RL GS Pliody
Heading Date PPI Ground Score
Drumbo 07-Jun LD
Astonenergy €121
01-Jun 6.4 LT €124 5.6
Kerry 01-Jun LD
Meiduno €119
03-Jun 6.1 LT €166 5.4
Astonenergy 04-Jun LT
Astonking €153
05-Jun 5.4 LD €112 5.9
Meiduno 06-Jun LT
Oakpark €194
02-Jun 5.2 LD €120 6.7
Clover Clover
%T
A high
Total PPI
% Ttetraploid
Total PPI
(astonenergy
Spring
Spring Summer
and meiduno)
Summer Autumn Quality
Autumn
and clover Quality
mix. Taking Silage
advantage
Silage
Persistency
of astonenergys
Persistenc
exceptional
48%
57% palatability,
€143
€132.6 quality, seasonal growth
€31.0 €30.4€30.6 with
€37proven
€36.1 pasturebase
€39
€16.9 on-farm performance.
€31€17.9 €9 €0.0 -€3
Variety Heading Date Pliody PPI RL GS
Mixture
Drumbo No. 2: 2 07-Jun
Cut Silage (Also
LD available
€121with clover)
6.4
Mixture
Kerry No 2: Two
01-Jun Cut LD Silage €119 (Also 6.1 available with clover)
A mixture designed specifically for silage (two or more cuts) with
Astonenergy 04-Jun LT €153 5.4
exceptional spring growth for high first cut yields, no clover (also
Meiduno 06-Jun LT with€194
available 5.2 varieties to ensure a long-lasting
clover) and durable
Clover sward.
%T Total PPI Spring Summer Autumn Quality Silage Persistency
48% €143 €30.4 €37 €39 €31 €9 -€3
Variety Heading Date Pliody PPI
Astonconqueror 27-May ID €169
Mixture No 2: Two Cut Silage (Also
Moira available
26-May ID with €169
clover)
Fintona 24-May IT €154
A mixture
%T designed
Total PPIspecifically
Spring for silage
Summer(two Autumn
or more cuts) with exceptional
Quality Silage spring growth
Persistency
for high
39% first cut yields, no€71.8
€163.1 clover (questionable
€25.8 role in an -€15.7
€44.6 intensive cutting
€36.6 system)
€0.0and
durable varieties to ensure a long lasting sward. Contains astonconqueror this year for
increased spring growth, quality and silage yields.
11DAIRYGOLD
Astonconqueror
Rosetta
MIXES
26-May
24-May
ID
ID
2020
€180
€174
6.5
6.4
Fintona 22-May IT €215 5.5
%T Total PPI Spring Summer Autumn Quality Silage Pers
40% €192 €82 €29 €42 €10 €29
Mixture No. 3: Dairygold Extend (Also available without clover)
Mixture No 3: Dairygold Extend Gold (Also available w
clover)
Excellent spring and autumn growth combined with exceptional
quality for a palatable sward. This mixture is for intensive grazing
situations where extending grazing, is a priority.
Heading Date Pliody PPI Ground
Score
Abergain 04-Jun LT €192 5.6
Aberchoice 11-Jun LD €176 6.0
Drumbo 05-Jun LD €116 6.3
Pelleted Clover
%T
Excellent Totaland
spring PPI autumn
Spring
growthSummer Autumn
combined with QualityqualitySilage
exceptional Persistency
for a palatable sward. Th
mixture
48% is for intensive
€172.2 grazing
€20.0 situations
€37.7where extending
€43.5 grazing,
€44.2 is a priority.
€26.9 Also
€0.0suitable fo
cut silage systems.
Variety No. 4:Heading
Mixture Date Pliody Grazing
Heavy Soils/Extensive PPI Mix RL(Also
GS available without clover)
AberGain 05-Jun LT €198 5.8
Aberchoice 09-Jun This LD €194
is an excellent 6.3heavy soils or for extensive farmers
mixture for
that struggle to keep rotation lengths at the 18-20days during the
Drumbo 07-Jun LD €121 6.4
summer. It has a higher levels of diploids to provide a good dense
base to the sward with high ground scoring varieties which will
ensure a persistent sward in challenging soils. Due to its slightly
%T Total PPI Spring Summer Autumn Quality Silage Persis
slower growing pattern than mix 1 or mix 3 this mixture will be easier
41% €174 €29 €1 €43
managed across the main grazing season.
€53 €16 -€
Mixture No 4 Heavy Score
Soils (Also
Variety Heading available
Date Pliody with
PPI clover)
Ground
This mixture has been specifically formulated for heavier soils. Specially designed to create a go
dense base to the sward with highOakpark
ground scoring varieties which
LD will
2-Jun seasonal ensure a persistent swar
challenging soils. The Heavy Soils Mix also delivers good growth€120 6.7
and high quality varie
Lower levels of tetraploid will give a dense sward that will perform in difficult conditions.
Astonconqueror 27-May ID €169 6.5
Alfonso 1-Jun LT €107 6.0
Clover
%T Total PPI Spring Summer Autumn Quality Silage Persistency Ground Score
Variety Heading Date Pliody PPI RL GS
28% €131.7 €35.5 €30.5 €39.1 €3.0 €22.9 €0.0 6.4
Drumbo 07-Jun LD €121 6.4
Clanrye 06-Jun LD €97 6.9
Kintyre
12 07-Jun
www.dairygoldagri.ie LT €156 6.0ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
HOW TO REACH THE CARBON
FOOTPRINT 2030 TARGET
By CIARA DONOVAN,
Farm Sustainability Advisor, Supply Chain Division
In recent years and months, carbon emissions and climate change have been central to every conversation, within
every industry, when discussing sustainability. Dairygold are no different. The dairy Industry has recognised that
it is essential for us to play our part and to put a plan in place which insures that milk suppliers have a promising
future, while also protecting the environment for future generations.
The Journey so far
It has taken many years to set up and attain full engagement in the Bord Bia Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme
(SDAS). However, this crucial and significant step has now been taken by every Dairygold supplier and a Carbon
Footprint is now being produced for each SDAS audit. This is a unique achievement from a global aspect. Ireland
is the first country to achieve this feat and the data collected will be essential to ensuring that our industry is
leading the way when it comes to measuring carbon emissions. Now, when our customers seek clarification on
the source of emissions, our explanation is no longer abstract and vague, it will be specific and based on fact.
The Plan
1. Measure suppliers carbon emissions
✔ Done - measured through SDAS
2. Identify where improvements can be made
✔ Done - consulted with Teagasc experts
3. Set a Carbon Foorprint target based on identified
achievable improvements to farm efficiency We are here
4. Provide suppliers with the knowledge & tools
needed to achieve these targets
✔ Ongoing & more to do
The Target
Ireland’s geographic location gives us a natural advantage when it comes to growing grass, however we should
not be happy to simply rest on our laurels and should strive to improve, both for environmental and financial
reasons. To this end, Dairygold’s Sustainability Team, met with Teagasc experts during 2019 to discuss what a
realistic target might be when it comes to Carbon Emissions. This target was calculated to be 0.7 kg Co2e/Kg
FPCM, to be reached by the average Dairygold supplier by 2030. This equates to a 40% reduction from the
average Carbon Footprint in 2019.
The target = 0.7 kg Co2e/Kg FPCM by 2030
How to achieve the Target
The carbon footprint target was based on calculations in the below table and also included a value of 0.14 kg
CO2e/Kg FPCM coming from carbon sequestration. Currently carbon sequestration is not included in calculations
of our National carbon emissions, however, this is expected to change as more research is carried out and it is
expected to be officially included by 2030.
13Farm Targets Current (2019) 2030 Target Milk Solids (Kg MS /Cow) 423 475 Stocking Rate (LU / Ha) 2.1 2.5 Grass Utilised (Tonnes) 8.5 11 Concentrate Fed (Kgs) 1000 800 Replacement Rate (%) 23% 18% Protected Fertilizer used 3% 100% Slurry Spreading Method 15% LESS 100% LESS 6 week calving interval (%) 63% 90% Mean Calving date 6th March 20th Feb Calving Interval (days) 394 365 Protein % 3.53% 3.7% Fat % 4.17% 4.5% EBI 94 230 Nitrogen Fertilizer (150 kg/N) 181 150 Carbon Footprint (kg CO2 E kg FPCM) Incl. Sequestration 1.16 0.7 The majority of these Farm Targets would be familiar to farmers. Increasing milk solids, fat and protein % has been a long-term aim of Dairygold, supported by the Balance Scorecard. Bringing the mean calving date earlier as well as compact calving is being encouraged through Dairygold’s Early Calving Bonus. Breeding with high EBI bulls, reducing feed and fertilizer usage and improving grass growth and utilization have also been top of the Joint program agenda for many years now. The reduction in nitrogen usage will likely mean that a greater uptake and utilization of clover will be necessary over the coming years. This is already being partially enforced through the new derogation regulations, as is the compulsory use of Low Emissions Slurry Spreading. It is no surprise that some suppliers are already achieving this target (sequestration excluded). In fact, since 2015 when CF were first measured, between 2 and 4% of suppliers have achieved this target annually. Note: Carbon sequestration is when carbon is naturally taken from the atmosphere in the form of Carbon Dioxide gas (CO2) when plants (in this case grass) photosynthesises. The CO2 is converted to solid carbohydrates like glucose, fructose and cellulose. Some of this is stored in the roots and then converted to organic matter by bacteria and fungi in the soil. In this solid state, carbon is beneficial to the soil and harmless when it comes to climate change A Target is something to Aim For This 2030 target is achievable for many and financially very worthwhile however the route taken to reach this target is important! It might be easy to achieve some of the ‘farm targets’ but it should not be at the cost of another target or the environment. For instance, grass tonnage produced could be inflated through increased fertilizer usage, however, this will not decrease carbon losses and possibly increase nutrient losses to water. If instead soil fertility is improved through soil analysis then targeted lime and fertilizer use, this would lead to an increase in grass produced, reduce overall fertilizer usage, reduce the possibility of losses to water and be financially more beneficial! It is likely that not every farmer will be able to achieve all these targets. If land is low-lying, peaty or prone to flooding, it might not be possible or advisable to strive to increase stocking rate for instance, however, the closer to these targets that you can get over the next ten years, the more money you will make on your farm. For the first time, by using tools like the Bord Bia producer report, you will be able to measure your progress. Dairying as an industry, must move towards a low carbon future and as I was recently told…… “If you don’t have a goal, you can run up and down a field your entire life and never score” 14 www.dairygoldagri.ie
ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
IMPROVING NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
THROUGH DAIRYGOLDS SUSTAINABLE
SOILS SERVICE
By LIAM STACK,
M.Agr.Sc, Ruminant Technical Manager
The sustainable management of agricultural soils is
KEY POINT: By soil testing, you can
critical for achieving the targets set out in the Irish
save €23/acre on fertiliser. This is on
Governments FoodWise 2025 strategy and more
land with high P and K levels (Index
recently in the EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity
4) and stocked at 2 dairy cows/ha
strategies. Protecting soil resources is also a specific
(0.8cows/acre) *smartfarming.ie
objective of the post-2020 EU-Common Agriculture
Policy (CAP).
Our soils are precious resources, they: Correct soil pH results in great nitrogen, phosphorus
• underpin sustainable food production, and potassium availability to our plants. Feeding
• re-cycling of nutrients, your soils, the correct nutrients to ensure your soils
• sequestration of carbon are index 3 for phosphorus and potassium optimise
• regulation of our climate, production.
• purification and storage of our water.
(Researchers David Wall and Giulia Bondi – Teagac) KEY POINT: Soils with P Index 3
will yield more grass DM than a soil
in P Index 1. Approximately 0.6t/acre
KEY POINT: The annual cost of soil
(or 1.5t/ha) This extra grass could
sampling is roughly 50 cents/acre/
be worth approximately €180/acre
year. This is the same cost as 0.5
(assuming all other nutrients are
units/acre of P fertiliser.
optimum). *smartfarming.ie
Nitrogen and phosphorus use efficiency are poor on
our farms with for example only c.25% of the nitrogen Within Dairygold we are dedicated to working with
we spread ending up in our milk sales, livestock you to improve your soil’s fertility and your farm’s
sales, forage sales or exported slurry. The remaining nutrient use efficiency. We have a team of soil
nitrogen is lost back into the atmosphere: samplers available to sample your farm, our analytical
• through volatilisation of ammonia from fertiliser/ service laboratory in Lombardsatown, Co. Cork, is
slurry INAB accredited and we have a team of Area Sales
• as nitrogen gas directly from the soil Managers that are trained in the nutrient requirements
• through leaching to groundwater. of your crops and that are available to develop a
bespoke fertiliser pan for your farm.
To improve nitrogen use efficiency, we need to:
1. lower our nitrogen inputs by for example using more
clover or feeding lower crude protein feeds to our
cows.
2. Recovering more of the nitrogen we are using by
for example using LESS slurry spreading, protected
urea fertilisers or by improving the fertility status of
our soils.
151. GET YOUR SOIL TESTED - Soil testing and fertiliser planning are key requirements for any
successful farm and should be carried out during the winter period in advance of fertiliser
purchases. Dairygolds analytical service laboratory in Lombardsatown, Co. Cork provide a
comprehensive sampling and testing service from our lab at competitive prices. Please
Steps to improvingcontactsoil fertility:
our inside sales team on 022 31644, your area sales manager or your local branch to
arrange soil sampling.
1. GET YOUR SOIL TESTED - Soil testing and fertiliser planning are key requirements for any successful farm and
should be2.carried out during
ADDRESS THE pH the winter
OF THE SOILperiod in advance
- Farmers of fertiliser
should aim purchases.
to maintain Dairygolds
mineral soils analytical
at pH levels of service
laboratory in Lombardsatown, Co. Cork provide a comprehensive sampling and testing service from our lab at
6.3.
competitive prices. Please contact our Inside Sales Team on 022 31644, your Area Sales Manager or your local
branch to arrange soil sampling.
3. OPTIMAL P & K INDICES - Aim for a target index of 3 for both Phosphorus and Potassium.
2. ADDRESS THE pH OF THE SOIL - Farmers should aim to maintain mineral soils at pH levels of 6.3.
3. OPTIMAL 4.P SLURRY
& K INDICES - Aim for
& MANURES a target
– Apply index
slurry of 3 ground
to silage for both
and Phosphorus and
fields that are Potassium.
index 1 and 2 for
Phosphorus -and
4. SLURRY & MANURES Potassium.
Apply slurry to silage ground and fields that are index 1 and 2 for Phosphorus and
Potassium.
5. BESPOKE FERTILISER PLAN – Use Dairygold field by field fertiliser programme to build a
5. BESPOKE FERTILISER PLAN - Use Dairygold field by field fertiliser programme to build a bespoke fertiliser
bespoke fertiliser programme that maximises your farms nutrient use efficiency (NUE) through
programme that maximises
the targeted your farms
application nutrient
of slurry, use efficiency
lime, chemical (NUE)
nitrogen, throughand
phosphorus thepotassium.
targeted application of slurry,
lime, chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
1. Soil Fertility Status:
The 1.
1.
Soil Fertility
Dairygold Status:
fertiliser
Soil Fertility programme identifies the proportion of your farms on target for lime,
Status:
The Dairygold
phosphorus fertiliser
and programme identifies the proportion of your farms on target for lime,
potassium.
The Dairygold fertiliser programme identifies the proportion of your farms on target for lime,
DAIRYGOLD’S PADDOCK BY PADDOCK CUSTOMISED FERTILISER PROGRAMME.
phosphorus and potassium.
phosphorus and potassium.
Our unique fertiliser planner maximises your farms
nutrient use efficiency (NUE) through the targeted
application of slurry, lime, chemical nitrogen, phosphorus
and potassium.
1. Soil Fertility Status:
The Dairygold fertiliser programme identifies the
proportion of your farms on target for lime, phosphorus
and potassium.
1. Soil Fertility Status: 1. Soil Fertility Status:
e Dairygold fertiliser programme identifies the proportion of your farms on target
Thefor
Dairygold
lime, fertiliser programme identifies the proportion of your farms on target fo
osphorus and potassium. phosphorus and potassium.
2.Bespoke fertiliser plan to drive efficiency growth.
The Dairygold fertiliser programme identifies which fields need slurry, chemical phosphorus and potassium. It
pulls all this information together to generate:
Dairygold’s paddock by paddock customise fertiliser programme.
Our unique fertiliser planner maximises your farms nutrient use efficiency (NUE) through the
16 www.dairygoldagri.ie targeted application of slurry, lime, chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.Total Nitrogen and phosphorus recommended within the plan
ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
• The total nitrogen and phosphorus (kg) required
Total Nitrogen and Phosphorus recommended • The total tonnes of the differing products
- The total Tns of the differing products required for the year
within the plan required for the year
Yearly Kg N & P used withing the Fertiliser Plan Yearly Fertiliser Requirement (T)
Kg Protected Urea 46% 6.0
Nitrogen 5540 Sweet 18s + S + Na + Mg 3.3
Phosphorus - 229
A round Protected
by round and field by field Urea
fertiliser plan 38% N + 7.5% S 4.4
GREENGROW CUT 21-2.2-10 + S 1.4
• A
round by round and field by
field fertiliser plan
3. A field by field fertiliser plan for slurry and index builders. Index builders are straight
phosphorus or potassium. These products can be used to build low phosphorus and
• A
field by field fertiliser plan for
potassium indexes indexes
slurry and index builders. Index
builders are straight phosphorus
or potassium. These products can
be used to build low phosphorus
and potassium indexes.
4. Field by field and year by year liming plan:
4. Field by field and year by year liming plan:
3. Field by field and year by year liming plan:
For more information on how to maximise your nitrogenForuse efficiency
more through
information our
on how to Sustainable
maximise Soilsuse
your nitrogen Sevice
efficiency thr
Sevice please contact our inside sales team on 022 31644,
please contact our inside Sales Team on 022 31644, your Area Sales Manager or your local branch to arrange your area sales
branch to arrange soil sampling.
soil sampling.
For more information on how to maximise your nitrogen use efficiency through our Sustainable Soils
Sevice please contact our inside sales team on 022 31644, your area sales manager or your local
17
branch to arrange soil sampling.Dairygold Sustainable
Soil Service
Complete your details below to avail of our soil sampling
service and hand it to a Dairygold Representative
or
Post in to Inside Sales
Dairygold Agribusiness, Lombardstown, Co. Cork
or
Sign up on our website www.dairygoldagri.ie/soil
Name Account Number
....................................................................
Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contact Number
....................................................................
....................................................................
x Number of Samples
....................................................................
....................................................................
Samples to be taken by:
Date. __ / __ / __
I authorise Dairygold to update their records using the contact details If YES
please
provided above and forward these details to relevant third parties to tick here
complete the sampling process
For more information please contact your Dairygold Area Sales
Manager or Inside Sales Team on 022-31644
18 www.dairygoldagri.ie 13ISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
19DAIRYGOLD / TEAGASC
JOINT PROGRAMME 2018-2020
By GRAINNE HURLEY,
Dairygold Teagasc Joint Programme
Protected Urea during 2020
Dairygold/Teagasc Joint Programme 2018-2020
Protected urea is a new product on the market a few years now and more and more farmers are using it on their
By Grainne Hurley, Dairygold Teagasc Joint Programme
farms. Protected urea is proven to be one of the most efficient methods of reducing Greenhouse gas emissions
Protected
and ammonia Urea during 2020
emissions on Irish farms. The nine Dairygold monitor farmers have used protected urea fertilizer
predominately
Protected urea is a newduring
product2020
on the as wella few
market as years
using nowsome
and morecompound
and more farmersfertilizers
are at key stages of the year where soil
indexes
using arefarms.
it on their below indexurea
Protected 3 isinproven
particular
to be onepaddocks. Figure
of the most efficient 1 shows
methods the average grass growth rates of the nine
of reducing
monitor farmers
Greenhouse fromand
gas emissions April - Julyemissions
ammonia 2020. Soil Moisture
on Irish farms. The Deficits (SMD)monitor
nine Dairygold started to affect grass growth rates particularly
up thehave
farmers eastused of protected
the country in Maypredominately
urea fertilizer and June during this year.
2020 asAccording
well as usingtosome Met Eireann data the average SMD for the
compound fertilizers at key stages of the year where soil indexes are below index 3 in particular
month of May at the Gurteen weather station in Co. Tipperary was 48mm and this increased to 64mm in June
paddocks. Figure 1 shows the average grass growth rates of the nine monitor farmers from April –
(Table 1) while SMD was approximately half this at the Cork weather station sites. Where SMD increases above
July 2020. Soil Moisture Deficits (SMD) started to affect grass growth rates particularly up the east
50mm this has a large reduction on grass growth. This effect was clearly seen on the most northerly monitor
of the country in May and June this year. According to Met Eireann data the average SMD for the
farmer,
month Mark
of May Lonergan
at the outside
Gurteen weather Cashel
station where he
in Co Tipperary was recorded
48mm and this theincreased
lowestto grass growths rates for two consecutive
weeks.
64mm SMD
in June had1) such
(Table an impact
while SMD on this region
was approximately half this atthat
the Mark Lonergan
Cork weather station growth
sites. rates in the first two weeks of June of
33kgsDM/ha
Where SMD increasesandabove
24kgsDM/ha
50mm this has were exactly
a large reductionhalfon of thegrowth.
grass average This of thewas
effect monitor farmer group during these weeks.
clearly seen on the most northerly monitor farmer, Mark Lonergan outside Cashel where he
recorded
This was the a
lowest grass
clear growths rates
indicator thatforatwo consecutive
lack weeks. SMD
of moisture had sucha an
caused impact on this
reduction in grass growth on Marks farm rather than
region that Mark Lonergan growth rates in the first two weeks of June of 33kgsDM/ha and
fertilizer product used as all monitor farmers are using protected urea fertilizer this year.
24kgsDM/ha were exactly half of the average of the monitor farmer group during these weeks. This
was a clear indicator that a lack of moisture caused a reduction in grass growth on Marks farm rather
Pat Mulcahy, monitor farmer in Killeagh, Co. Cork is highly stocked on a very dry soil. He has been using protected
than fertilizer product used as all monitor farmers are using protected urea fertilizer this year.
urea with the last two years.
Monitor farmer Pat Mulcahy who farms on a very dry highly stocked dairy farm in Killeagh Co Cork
has been using protected urea with the last two years and is very happy with it. He has been
The soil moisture deficits on Pat’s farm didn’t go as high as Mark Lonergans and while growth dipped, it didn’t
following the cows with 23units of protected urea with sulphur on 21 day rotations since April. He
drop to the extent suffered in Cashel. Pat has been following the cows with 23 units of Protected urea with sulphur
also made much better use of his slurry this year as he followed the grazed paddocks with
on 21 day rotations
2,500gallons/acre since April.
of dairy washings on the He hasplatform
milking also made usewith
during May of the
hisdribble
slurrybarthis year following with cows in May with 2500
slurry
gallons/acre
tank. ofworked
He found this dairyvery
washings
well as wellusing a dribble
with protected ureabar. He found
and found thisimpact
no negative workedof well in conjunction with the protected
ureaprotected
using and found no negative
urea during this dry yeareffects of using protected urea during the dry spell earlier in the year.
on grass growth.
April May June
Average weekly Grass growth rates
100 Cork Airport 11.2 13.8 28.0
80
60 Moorepark Co Cork 12.5 18.9 37.6
40
20 Gurteen Co Tipperary 26.3 47.8 63.8
0
Oakpark Co Carlow 30.9 56.5 71.3
05-Jun
12-Jun
19-Jun
26-Jun
03-Jul
10-Jul
17-Jul
03-Apr
10-Apr
17-Apr
24-Apr
01-May
08-May
15-May
22-May
29-May
Table 1. Monthly Soil Moisture Deficits (mm)
Figure 1. Average grass growth rates for Dairygold Monitor Farmers 2020 (https://www.met.ie/climate/past-weather-statements)
Figure 1. Average grass growth rates for Dairygold Monitor Farmers 2020
20 www.dairygoldagri.ie
April May JuneISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
TIME TO GET THE LIME
SPREADER OUT!!
By William Burchill, PhD,
Teagasc / Dairygold Joint Programme
groups across the Dairygold region and one common
trend is appearing. Across the groups both lime and
soil potash (K) levels are holding back soil fertility. This
is something that can be corrected relatively quickly
given that there is no restriction on the amount or
timing of lime and potash application not like N and P.
Now is the ideal time to get lime and potash spread.
Lime
All too often we wait too late in the year to apply lime
and the opportunity is lost due to wet soil conditions.
In last month’s edition of milk matters I profiled the Many 2nd cut crops have been cut across the region
excellent strides that the Upper Lee Valley dairy which is a great opportunity to apply lime to bare silage
discussion group were making with soil fertility on ground where a third cut of silage isn’t been taken.
their farms. Over the last 12 months I’ve also looked at Some of the common barriers to lime application and
soil fertility among a number of other dairy discussion there solutions are outlined in Figure 1 below.
BARRIERS vs SOLUTIONS
• Weather (rainfall & wet soils) • Avail Of Any Opportunity For Lime
• Softening the ground / sod • “Little and Often” (2t / acres)
• Impact on Urea & Slurry (N loss) • Lime First - Leave - 3 Months
Lime After - 10 Days
• Paddock Availability
• After Silage Harvest (esp. 2nd Cut)
• Pasture Contamination
• After Grazing (1 Load = 10 Acres @ 2t)
• High Molybdenum Soils
• Spring Grazing (Covers Upto 750)
• Financial / Costs • Summer (On Tightly Grazed Paddocks)
• Autumn / Winter (Heavier Covers @ Paddock
closing)
• Maintain Soil pH 6.0 - 6.2
• Return On Investment €6 : €1
Figure 1: Barriers to lime application and there solutions. Source (David Wall, Teagasc Johnstown Castle)
Potash
The months of August, September and October is the time to target Index 1 and 2 potash fields. To increase one
soil index in K e.g. to go from index 2 to index 3 requires 50 units of K per acre on average. This amount may vary
across different soils types but 50 units of K per acre is a good starting point. Fields low in K should be targeted
with slurry. A number of farms are now applying a 50 kg bag of Muriate of Potash (0:0:50) per acre to low index 1
and 2 K ground. Autumn is the best time of the year to spread K to build up your low K fields as spreading more
than 70 units K/acre at one time in the spring has been linked to grass tetany in cows.
21John Maher
Teagasc, Moorepark
GRASS MATTERS
By JOHN MAHER,
Dairy Specialist, Teagasc Moorepark
Time to Start the Grazing Sea
BUILDING GRASS
Shane put in an image “2018 grazing se
The most important task any dairy farmer will undertake over the
the farm is closed off properly to have an adequate supply of gra
Grazing conditions have been challenging during September. Rep
farms are very variable. Some farms are swamped in grass which
Some farms have not and will not have enough grass available fo
additional feed to keep cows fed. Irrespective of grass supply on
next grazing season and get it right.
There are two objectives in autumn grazing management of
Firstly the cows must be adequately fed using the cheapest
grass. Every day at grass is worth €1.80/cow/day additiona
The second objective is set the farm up for spring grass. M
the grazing season begins in the autumn and that autumn m
August is the month to start building grass for the to primary
the be grazing about
factor 3.5 acres/day
influencing (28 day
the supply rotation).
of grass available
autumn. The growth of grass during the next six weeks So we must gain about 2 days in rotation every week
is crucial as the rate of grass growth (supply) will be during August. Farm cover targets are 300+ kgDM/
less than what is eaten (demand) by mid-September. cow (see table).
Grass is needed in the diet of the cow for as long as Autumn Grazing Plan
possible into the end of the year. PastureBase Ireland data demonstrates that many
dairy farmers end up with a lower supply of grass
Why?? than they should have entering into autumn. August
• Grass is the cheapest feed is a crucial month to build grass supply for autumn.
• Milk solids will be higher An autumn grazing plan is needed to make sure that
• Milk price will be higher there is enough grass available for autumn grazing.
• Body condition will be better
On many farms, silage area comes back into grazing
How do we ensure we will in August and thereby lengthening the rotation. Not all
have enough grass?? dairy farms have silage area available to graze on the
The rotation length must be around 28-30 days by platform. If things are not going to plan during August
Sept. 1st. So if we have 100 acres of grazing ground we in terms of building grass supply, action needs to be
will be grazing about 5 Acres/day (20 day rotation) at taken. This can involve removing other stock from the
the start of August. By the end of the month we need milking platform or introducing additional feed to help
22 www.dairygoldagri.ieISSUE 90 - AUGUST 2020
slow down the rotation. This can be baled silage or meal or a mixture of both. Whatever the choice, it is belter that
additional feed goes into the herd during August to allow grass supply pick up rapidly rather than later on when
grass growth is much slower.
So it is important that a rotation length of 28-30 days is reached by September 1st. It is important to take advantage
of August grass growth rates in order to build grass supply. Average grass growth for August is about 60-65
kgDM/ha/day but grass growth can also be 20-25% higher particularly after a dry spell.
If some farmers end up with too much grass entering into the autumn (rotation lengths well over 30 days entering
September) this should be made into winter feed. So if the rotation length is gaining too quickly during August, the
worst quality paddocks should be removed for baled silage. The earlier this surplus grass is removed, the easier
it is to rectify the problem.
Outlined below are the grazing targets for dairy farms for August.
AUTUMN GRAZING TARGETS
Date Cover/Cow Average Rotation Length
(Kg DM) Farm Cover
(Kg DM/Ha)
STOCKING RATE OF 2.5 LU/HA
1st August 180 450 20 Days
Mid - August 200 500 25 Days
1st September 300 750 30 Days
STOCKING RATE OF 3.0 LU/HA
1st August 180 550 20 Days
Mid - August 250 750 25 Days
1st September 330 990 30 Days
STOCKING RATE OF 3.5 LU/HA
1st August 190 665 20 Days
Mid - August 220 770 25 Days
1st September 280 980 30 Days
P & K Catch-up!
About 50% of the soils in the Dairygold Region are deficient in Phosphorus & Potassium (K) i.e. Index 1 or 2 for
Phosphorus & Potassium. Almost every dairy farmer should be applying a fertiliser with P (if allowance available)
& K during August. After August, there is only 2 weeks left to spread nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) fertiliser.
Phosphorus levels rise slowly in the soils after application of P fertiliser or slurry. That is why it is necessary to
apply P fertiliser now to improve soil fertility for the spring when the grass needs P the most. Converting surplus
grass into baled silage harvests a lot K in particular. Most dairy farmers will need to consider spreading compound
fertilisers on their grassland during August.
23Dairy Farming on Diffi
DAIRY FARMING ON
DIFFICULT / HEAVY LAND
By JOHN MAHER, Ger Courtney & Tom Condon
Heavy Soils Programme, Teagasc.
Grass production for the 1sthalf of the grazing season on the farms in the Heavy Soils Programme has been
excellent. The average level of grass production was about 6.1 tons DM/ha to July 1st. The range in grass
production between the farms was 5.3 to 7.4 tons DM/ha. Depending on how the autumn comes in terms of
John Maher, Ger Cour
weather conditions, 13 to 14 tons of DM/ha could be produced. This would place these farms in the top grass
performing farms in the country.
Farm Cover Farm Cover Cover/LU Stocking Growth/ha Demand/ha
Heavy Soils Programm
Pre Grazing Rotation Meal Intake
Date (kg DM/ha) (kg DM/LU) Rate(LU/ha) (kg DM /ha/day) (kg DM /ha/day) Yield Length (kg/cow)
Now (days)
Macroom 23/07 764 250 3.06 83 54 1550 21 2.0
West Clare 26/07 796 257 3.10 67 51 1700 21 2.0
About 30% of milk produced
Listowel 20/07 754 189 3.98 72 64 1700 20 3.0
Athea 27/07 621 198 3.13 61 60 1700 Heavy21soils add 1.0
complexities
Castleisland 23/07 652 235 2.78 72 46 1300 20
conditions, 1.5 to those
similar
Boherbue 21/07 637 232 2.74 47 44 1500 22 1.6
Rossmore 26/07 764 232 3.30 52 56 1500
milk production
21
on heavy s
2.0
Average 713 228 3.16 65 54 1564 silage 21
reserves are
2 essential.
demonstration dairy farms l
One of the top priorities for the farms in the Heavy Soils Programme is to make enough silage for next winter and
Doonbeg.
try and put a silage reserve in place also. This is going very much to plan with a lot of surplus grass converted into
baled silage to date and August is also looking favourable for more bales to be made.
August Grazing Plan:
August is a crucial month to build grass supply for autumn. The target rotation length should be about 25-26
Farm Performance
days by the end of August (grazing 4 acres/day on a 100acre platform). If the rotation length is longer than this
or appears to be getting any way slower, the heaviest paddocks should be removed rapidly as baled
A marked silage.inIfcosts
increase
some farmers end up with too much grass entering into autumn (Rotation lengths well over 30 days entering
poor milk price is reflected i
September) this should be made into winter feed. So, if the rotation length is gaining too quickly during August,
the worst quality paddocks should be removed for baled silage. The earlier this surplus grass is removed, the
easier it is to rectify the problem.
Table
Very long rotations result in very large quantities of grass to be grazed. This grass can prove very1: HeavytoSoils
difficult grazeProgram
during poor weather conditions. The supply of grass on heavy farms is rarely a challenge for heavy land farms.
Ground conditions are the main challenge. It is important to avoid grazing covers of grass over 2000 kg DM/ha.
The growth of grass during the next six weeks is extremely important as the rate of grass growth (supply) will
Herdbe
less than what is eaten (demand) by mid-September generally. size
P & K fertiliser Fa
After August, there is only 2 weeks left to spread Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) fertiliser. Phosphorus levels rise
slowly in most soils but especially in heavy soils after application of P fertiliser or slurry. That is why it is necessary
to apply P fertiliser (if allowance available) now to improve soil fertility for the spring when the grass needs P the
most.
As many heavy land farms have been converting surplus grass into baled silage, this process removes a lot of K
from the soil. This needs to be replaced. Every 5 bales /acre removed is equivalent to about 1 bag of 0:7:30/acre.
So most dairy farmers will need to consider spreading compound fertilisers like 18:6:12, 14:7:14 or 10:10:20 on their
grassland during August.
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