Description
The farm of Danny Cemin, Ballintubber, Kilmeedy, Co. Limerick (Ireland) is focused on grass targets as the transition from spring into summer, keeping quality covers of 1,400 kg DM/ha ahead of the cows when grazing and grazing down to 4 cm. By keeping 1,400 kg DM/ha covers ahead of cows, it is possible to maximise milk solids production per cow, graze down to 4 cm (as pre grazing was not too high and stem content was low) and promote quick regrowth on farms.
The farmer measures grass on PastureBase Ireland (www.pbi.ie) and thinks that a cover of 180 kg DM/LU the maximum amount of grass that can be available at any one time, and any surplus grass above this target should be cut as surplus bales of silage. When measuring grass, the objective is to match supply and demand to maximise grass quality. The farmer also monitores the growth pattern of the plants to make sure that perennial ryegrass is being grazed at the 3rd leaf stage, when its leafy and digestible. When the plant reaches the 4th leaf stage, the 1st leaf dies and lignin content increases.
Grass measurement allows the farmers to identify grass surpluses and deficits quickly, and react to these changes. This in turn allows him to reduce, or cut out, or meal feeding in spring.
The motivation is to maximise milk solids production per cow during the mid-season from grass, reduce/minimise the amount of concentrates being fed and to cut surplus bales when possible to build a reserve of high quality silage in the yard.
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