Description
With drought conditions during summer 2018, it was very important for Michael Quigley in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary (Ireland) to close off the farm in autumn 2018 to have grass on the farm for spring 2019. An aspect of the management is that 60% of the farm should be grazed in October and closed off until the following spring. This would guarantee grass supply to allow for early turnout in February. The remaining 40% of the farm could be grazed in November and allow for late grazing in the year (mid/late November). The paddocks beside the milking parlour, dry paddocks, paddocks with multiple access and water points should be grazed in October to have these paddocks available for grazing again in February and March 2019.
Dealing with wet weather conditions would be a challenge for grazing in October and November. Strip grazing using 12 hr blocks would be useful to minimise damage and to protect regrowth. Dry paddocks will be grazed in wet weather and heavy soils will be graze in periods of dry weather.
The motivation of the farmer is to extend the grazing season, but to close off the farm with enough grass to allow for early turnout in February, minimise the amount of silage being fed in total and maximise milk solids production per cow.
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