It’s been an exceptional year for grass growth, with Teagasc predicting that growth rates will remain above average on most farms as the autumn approaches.
Grass performance on both dairy and drystock farms remain strong, with Average Farm Cover (AFC) running at 762kg Dry Matter (DM) per hectare (ha) and 850kg DM/ha drystock farms, according to Teagasc’s PastureBase Data.
Priorities in the Coming Weeks
In the weeks ahead, building grass covers by extending rotation lengths, while also assessing soil fertility and nutrient management, will be key priorities for dairy farmers.
For many years the value of grass has been rightly highlighted as a critical factor in the overall profitability of grassland farms. Ireland’s climate, as clearly demonstrated in recent months, provides ideal conditions for maximising grass growth.
Grass is the cheapest feed available by far (grazing/white clover sward €85/t DM; grass silage €230/t DM; Concentrate feed €326/t DM) and because of this, great care is required in its management to optimise the balance between supply and demand, as well as the nutrition provided to maximise total grass yield during the season.
The Science of Grass Growth
At Target Fertilisers, we understand what farmers need throughout the year and the science of grass growth. Our grassland fertiliser range, developed with Irish conditions in mind, delivers the nutrients required to grow strong, sustainable swards.
Target’s extensive range of grassland fertilisers include CAN, CAN + S, SuperCAN CCF (all featuring 27% Nitrogen) as well as 19-0-15 (available with or without Sulphur), blends that are typically used at this time of year.
Where Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) levels are restricted, Target Fertilisers’ 21-0-10 + S, which contains potash, supports plant growth, especially on silage and grazing ground.
Supporting Plant Health and Water Regulation
An alternative to Zero P urea-based blends, 21-0-10 + S is a CAN-based blend composed of superior sized granules that allow for even spreading widths in excess of 24 metres. A shelf stable product, 21-0-10 + S formulation contains adequate levels of K which controls water regulation within plant stomata which is crucial for drought tolerance.
Dairy farmers in derogation with high stocking densities are heavily restricted when it comes to their use of both Nitrogen and Phosphorus (P), with P allowances already used up by many farmers at the time of writing. Such farmers are likely to consider using 21-0-10 + S, a product specifically formulated by Target Fertilisers.
Fertiliser Blends for Late Season Growth
Other Target Fertiliser products include 24-2.2-4.5 and 21-2.2-10, both available with or without Sulphur.
24-2.2-4.5, a high-density fertiliser with large, granules, is useful on soil where slurry has been applied.
Meanwhile, 21-2.2-10 + S, which contains dust-free granules for even spreading, promotes strong regrowth and nutrient recovery.
Autumn Grazing and Fertiliser Recommendations
As autumn approaches, applying a bag and a half of grazing product during the grazing rotation (75kg per acre*) such as Target’s 24-2.2-4.5, 21-2.2-10 or 21-0-10 is recommended for grass wedge build up.
As there is no restriction on Potassium (K), it can be applied in the form of MOP (muriate of potash) during the close period, or SOP (sulphate of potash) if and when required.
For those on the 21 day rotation, which Teagasc has recommended extending to 25 days (as of August 5th), some paddocks may become too strong, and get ahead of the cattle. Taking the three-paddock model, which we’ll refer to as A, B, and C, a farmer who has to maintain his rotation may move his cattle from A to C and bypass B, from which he’ll take out baled silage to both maximise utilisation of the grass and begin developing a further winter forage reserve.
Importance of Soil Sampling
To achieve optimum grass growth and crop yield, care must be taken to ensure that the soil includes the nutrients it needs to succeed. We recommend soil sampling every three to five years to ensure that your soil is receiving those key nutrients and to correct any nutritional deficiencies.
Soil analysis provides valuable insights, helping farmers:
- Determine soil nutrient indices
- Identify underperforming fields
- Pinpoint areas that may benefit from liming
- Identify field that should get additional slurry allocations
When developing a fertiliser plan, it is also important to account for the nutrient offtakes – losses from the soil by both crops and animals. According to Teagasc, a milking cow can retain up to 19kg/ha of Phosphorus (P) and 36kg/ha of Potassium (K) while a cereal crop, on average, retains 3.8kg/ha of P and 12.9kg of K when straw is removed.
Expert Advice and Custom Fertiliser Blends from Target Fertilisers
The Target Fertilisers team is available to provide technical advice and recommendations through your local merchant or Co-op for a range of issues including grassland yield and quality and fertiliser planning for both grazing and silage platforms.
With a wide variety of customised blends available to customers, the quality range of fertilisers produced by Target Fertilisers is designed to fulfil all of your grassland and soil requirements while underlining our commitment to more sustainable farm practices.
Ready to boost your performance? Contact your local Target advisor or merchant for the perfect blend!