Getting the most from Spring grazing
Do you ever feel like whatever you do, it doesn’t quite get you to where you want to be? This winter has been a good example. While forage was abundant it not only hasn’t analysed particularly well but it hasn’t fed well either. Milk quality has been exceptional but, in most cases, performance has been a couple of litres light on previous years.
The question on everyone’s mind is what to do for 2022? Cutting date and timely application of fertiliser are crucial. Fertiliser costs have escalated, with many farmers still talking of either not applying any or relying on lots of slurry to plug the fertiliser hole. This is grassland suicide. I urge everyone to treat this year the same as previous years. Make the very best of your first cut in terms of quality and quantity. Apply sensible levels of fertiliser to second cut.
Once second cut is in the clamp, assess the farm’s remaining requirement for forage and then make the plan for the third cut. Multicut systems in the Southwest have very variable results so think carefully about going down this route.
Maize
If you can grow maize, consider growing more, making sure to choose an early-maturing variety to help ensure a successful harvest. For those with the ability to grow some spring cereals, it will pay to get it in! If it looks like you will be short of forage, take it as a whole crop. Use the wholecrop to feed dry cows and youngstock, saving the higher ME silages for the milking herd. Otherwise harvest as traditional corn and straw. Remember, forage is still the cheapest feed for dairy cows.
SlurriN Pro
To maximise the use of slurry you need to know how much it is worth, so we strongly recommend getting it tested so you can tailor your fertiliser plans. We have seen great success improving the value of slurry with SlurryN PRO. By adding specific bacteria to the slurry, it is shown to increase the retention of nutrients, and by making the slurry more free-flowing, it reduces the stirring required, saving diesel, time and money.
Choosing the right cake
Feed for this spring is going to be a premium so selecting the right diet and protein content is crucial. This can only be done if you know the quality of forages being fed which means regular analysis of the forages and grazed grass in the diet. Our NIR machine has been updated to read fresh grass. Providing the samples are with us by 11am, results should be available the same day.
The Spring range has slightly changed from last Spring, with a new and improved Creamfield range including Novatan which helps cows harness more of the protein from the grass which would normally be wasted in the form of urea, costing her energy. Novatan also allows us to use lower protein cakes and pass on the financial savings to you.
The Creamfield range is available as 13, 15 or 17% protein, with a high sugar beet inclusion. Don’t be afraid to drop the protein percentage in your dairy cake as long as you have taken my advice on fertiliser and testing grass.
Cows only have a requirement for 16-17% protein in the total diet. With most grazing swards being over 18-20%, why would you add an 18% protein cake on top?
I admit last season milk urea’s were the lowest we have ever seen, indicating that there was lower nitrogen available in the grass. But we quickly realised this was due to the time of fertiliser application and the soil temperature. Fertiliser was applied and lay dormant. Day temperatures were good with some sun so the grass plant built sugars up. However, nights were cold which prevented the sugars being converted into proteins by the plants, resulting in the low ureas and low proteins in the silages.
So, to conclude please use the team to measure, monitor and make informed decisions. Use the range of diets on offer to maximise performance and minimise nutrient wastage. Get cows safely pregnant before cutting feed rates as we still want them to perform at their best next year.
More Information
Talk to your Feed Specialist about making the most of your grazing grass this spring, call the office on 01409 254 300. For all your Turnout Essential porducts, visit Harpers Farm Supplies
