Exceptional start to spring-grazing season for most in Ireland

Frozen Bone-In Beef

Meat

Ireland

Published Feb 24, 2023

Tridge summary

The 2023 spring-grazing season has gotten off to an expectational start, with the majority of dairy farms able to get cows out for a number of hours/day. Farms that would be considered to be on heavy land have been able to get cows out on a more consistent basis compared to other years. But it is important to continue to mind land and avoid causing any damage that may have a detrimental effect going forward.

Original content

As the calving season progresses the number of cows going to grass should increase, placing more pressure on land and increasing the potential risk of damage being caused. Advertisement Spring-grazing season Grazing conditions for the most part remain quite good, but it is important to continue to closely monitor ground conditions. Farmers should continue to use back fences, spur roadways and make use of the multiple exits/entrances to paddocks. Predicted growth rates are looking good for the time of year; based on figures from PastureBase Ireland they are 12kg of dry matter (DM)/ha in Leinster; 11kg of DM/ha in Munster; 10kg of DM/ha in Connacht; and 9kg of DM/ha in Ulster. State of play As we head into the last few days of February now is a good time to look at how much of the farm has been grazed. Advertisement The target is to have 30% of your farm grazed by March 1. However, for some farms, the exceptionally good weather may mean they have surpassed this figure and, all ...

Source: AgriLand