What is Grazing Really Worth?
|
MAY MILK YIELD FROM GRAZING
|
|
|
|
Dry Matter of Grass Sample (%)
|
|
Cover
|
Handful wt (g)
|
10
|
12.5
|
15
|
17.5
|
20
|
22.5
|
25
|
|
Light
|
10
|
-6.8
|
-4.7
|
-2.6
|
-0.6
|
1.3
|
3.1
|
4.9
|
|
Good
|
20
|
1.3
|
4.9
|
8.2
|
11.2
|
13.9
|
16.4
|
18.5
|
|
Optimum
|
30
|
8.2
|
12.6
|
16.4
|
19.5
|
21.9
|
23.7
|
24.8
|
|
Opt.Heavy
|
40
|
13.9
|
18.5
|
21.9
|
24.2
|
25.2
|
-
|
-
|
|
Heavy
|
50
|
18.5
|
22.6
|
24.8
|
25.3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
For help with interpreting the table please contact our technical team on 01604 833250 or use Contact Us
Even during one of the best grazing years, the summer of 2005, performance at grass fell short of all predictions. The average value of grazing throughout the summer was only 10 litres per cow each day, a 6 litre shortfall to that which would have been achieved under research conditions.
The greatest shortfall was during the period following turn-out when either grass was in short supply or bad weather resulted in poor grazing conditions. So the clear message must be to not expect too much early on. Even cows in later lactation need supplementation with concentrates for the whole of April and some years into May and never forget staggers.
In autumn even from early September the day length becomes shorter and this will restrict grazing. Weather conditions can also have an impact and even if grass is readily available all these factors combined can reduce the value of grass down to maintenance. The only answer is to make sure any shortfall is made up with a buffer feed and not to delay this to avoid poorer yields, cow condition and fertility.
Grazing in 2010!
Every season is a new challenge and therefore it is important for us to monitor grazing conditions on our customers’ farms to enable us to give guidance on the value of grass across the region.
By regularly taking samples, assessing the availability of grass and combining this with potential grazing time a sensible estimate can made of the value of grass.
The analysis of specific nutrients such as fibre, sugar and protein can also be useful in assessing the effect of grazing on milk constituents and help in the choice of supplement required to maximise the value of grass.
GRAZING MONITOR
LOOK OUT FOR THE VALUE OF GRAZING ON THIS WEBSITE! A SUMMARY OF OUR GRASS ANALYSIS AND THE ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT GRAZING CONDITIONS WILL BE MAINTAINED AND MAY BE USEFUL WHEN CONSIDERING BUFFER FEEDING AND THE LEVEL OF CONCENTRATES ON OFFER.