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Soil test

Establish which paddocks are under performing

Look at ways of improving productivity of under performing paddocks

Year 4:

Reseed if necessary

Continue to improve soil fertility

Increase stocking rates

Year 5:

Establish the most profitable and sustainable way of farming

Ensure the farm is growing and utilising as much grass as possible

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Year 1:

Start grass measuring

Start using correct grassland management proceedures

Join a dairy discussion group

Soil test

Year 2:

Analyse soil tests and spread fertiliser based on results

Improve soil fertility

Improve grass growth on the farm

Incorporate clover into existing swards

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Rotational grazing system in place

Currently there is no grass measuring taking place

Pit silage made by contractor

Own machinery for making baled silage

Makes use of early Spring N and slurry

There has been roughly 12 ha reseeded over the last two years due to switching from beef to dairy systems

Extensive amount of work done recently establishing paddocks

Roadways between paddocks have also been established

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65ha farm all of which is permanent grassland

Originally a beef system but has started dairy production within the last two years

Located in Co. Offaly (see location below)

Grazed grass is the cheapest feed source available to livestock at 7c/kg DM (Ref.)

The aim of this project is to improve overall grassland management on the farm

Grass production and utilisation are the drivers to profitability of any Irish farm

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Nitrogen applications are essential to boost grass growth this spring, especially after a mild winter which has resulted in strong growth rates on many dairy farms.

This is the advice of Teagasc Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom, who spoke at a recent grass walk in Co. Kilkenny which was attended by over 80 people.

At the event, Ramsbottom cited research from Moorepark which shows that there is a 10-to-one response in grass dry matter production from Nitrogen applications during the spring time.

"At current market prices, urea costs 70c/kg per unit of Nitrogen and one unit will grow an extra 10kg of grass dry matter," he said.

Ramsbottom said that this increase in grass production will be beneficial to the profitability of a dairy business as the additional grass grown is a cheaper feed than silage.

He said that on a dry matter basis, grass will cost 7c/kg, but the silage costs approximately 15c/kg.

He also cited research which shows that farmers can save money by using urea instead of CAN as a fertiliser.

Urea costs 70c/kg of nitrogen, while CAN has a cost of €1/kg of Nitrogen, and they both gave the same level of growth response.

The Teagasc Dairy Specialist also advised farmers to spread slurry during the spring time.

"Farmers get a poor utilisation of the Nitrogen from slurry during the summer time. This response is six-times higher during spring.

"The target is to apply 2,500 gallons/ac of slurry to paddocks with the lowest grass covers in the next couple of weeks, while grazed paddocks should receive 2,500 gallons/ac in early March."

However, he said that the ground conditions should be taken into consideration prior to spreading either artificial or organic fertilisers.

"If the ground is to wet you will lose Nitrogen to the atmosphere and it will be lost to the soil and the plant."

At all costs farmers should preserve their soil, as damage can last for years.

RELATED STORIES

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Spring Nitrogen applications give grass a much needed boost - Teagasc expert

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Nitrogen applications are essential to boost grass growth this spring, especially after a mild winter which has resulted in strong growth rates on many dairy farms. This is the advice of Teagasc Dairy Specialist George Ramsbottom, who spoke at a recent grass walk in Co. Kilkenny which was attended by over 80 people.

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To access the current level of grassland management on the farm

To make improvements on the farm which will aid in grass utilization and overall farm profitability

Set out a 5 year grassland management improvement plan