With concerns over having sufficient levels of silage stocks available for the winter, quality over quantity is the best advice when it comes to making silage this year.

Making one big bulky cut, may appear to get you more silage in the yard, however with delayed/late first cut silage, both quality and quantity are compromised. A delayed heavy first-cut reduces annual yield/ha and can create problems when it comes to salvaging second/third-cut crops later in the year. Alongside this, grass growth rates are typically at their highest over the next few weeks, so delaying first cut means that farmers are not taking full advantage of rapid regrowth.

A general rule of thumb is to target a 50:50 split in quantity in both first and second cut (E.g., 20 tonnes per acre to be achieved in total. Ideally, this is a 10-tonne high quality crop in both cuts. Where first-cut is let go to a 13-tonne crop, the ideal quantity of harvest for second-cut crops may only be approximately 7 tonne).

Farms that routinely take earlier first cuts have higher and better-quality annual silage yields. Not only this, but in years such as 2012/13 or 2018 when farmers faced fodder shortages across the country, having higher quality silage was far more valuable. When high-quality silage is available in the yard, options of stretching supply are endless (e.g., dilution with straw, using cheap alternative straights, restricted intakes where headspace is sufficient). However, from a nutritional point of view, the option with poor quality silage is simple, ad-lib access and more meal.

Completing a fodder budget?

A good starting point is how much silage is leftover this spring. Check the current silage stock on your farm. From there, estimate how long you typically feed for in the winter months and always allow for a 3–4-week safety reserve. Finally, complete an assessment of stock numbers that will be carried over the winter months.

Silage requirements based on animal type: 

Measuring pits on farm

Length x breadth x average height in metres, divided by 1.35 = tonnes of grass silage

Or

Length x breadth x average height in feet, divided by 45 = tonnes of grass silage

Can we get more silage in the pit?

Agritech’s GrasZyme Sugarboost is proven to retain a higher proportion of silage in the pit post-harvesting. Losses on average will be reduced by 6.1%, this would equate to 6.1 tonnes of extra silage in every 100 tonnes ensiled. For example 1,000 tonne silage pit, + 61 tonne more available silage. With current silage costs, this would equate to a return on investment of 2:1, before taking animal performance benefits into account from treated silage.

More Information: 

For more information on assessing current silage stocks, and on GrasZyme Sugarboost, contact your local Agritech Sales Advisor.

With ground conditions finally favourable and excellent grass growth levels, now is an ideal time to take the opportunity to reseed.

The never-ending debate always raises its head at this time of year as to ‘when is it too late to reseed?’. Although, the calendar acts as a guide to reseeding, it is not always the primary criteria and especially not this year.

At this stage, it is a matter of deciding between risk versus reward. If your plan is to reseed a certain percentage of the farm each year, it is important to stick to this plan and reseed now especially while ground temperatures are very good and there is excellent and almost unseasonable grass growth.

Making the decision to defer reseeding may only put additional pressure on next year. Autumn 2017 is a recent good example of this scenario as in that year, the weather was difficult, and many reseeding jobs were not completed. With a slow spring in 2018 and a drought hitting in early June, it meant that much of the ground not completed for reseeding in autumn 2017 had returned little in terms of new herbage by mid-summer.

Management Guide:
The objective of reseeding at this stage is to have the crop established before the winter sets in and to have the post emergent spray (if available) applied. In doing so, there are some important key factors that need to be taken into consideration:

Soil Fertility:
Reseeded pastures will not perform to their potential if soil fertility is not correct. To achieve maximum results, it is vital that the new reseed receives adequate levels of 10:10:20 and lime levels to balance pH requirements and kick start early growth.

Reseeding Method:
With a lot of ground burnt off beyond the recommended three weeks at this stage, some of the destroyed vegetation is now beginning to re-establish. It is therefore imperative that this ground is cultivated as soon as possible.

By now, it is becoming too late for reseeding methods such as minimal cultivation or direct drilling. Once you past the middle of September, ploughing or discing are the most reliable methods, as they create the best environment to facilitate germination.

Seeding Rate:
Increasing the seeding rate by 15-20% will maximise the rate of success and compensate for lower ground temperatures and growth levels at this time of year.

Clover inclusion is also essential when reseeding, with current research indicating that 1kg of clover is typically recouped with one month of clover growth. Rather than leaving clover out, we recommend increasing the level in the hope of achieving a better strike rate.

At Agritech, we have long recognised the importance of including optimal levels of clover in our grass seed mixtures. Our Tipperary Grass Seed mixtures are also treated with a biological seed stimulant called, GroQuik®, to ensure maximum germination and a stronger well rooted plant, even in more difficult growing conditions. The application of GroQuik® is especially beneficial to clover establishment as it has a more extensive and complicated root structure.

Post Management:
Watch out for the three most significant pests of reseeds, frit fly, leatherjackets and slugs which are particularly problematic in the autumn.

For further advice or to find out more about our 2020 Tipperary Grass Seed mixtures, contact your local Agritech sales representative or distributor. 

With grass a key ingredient on livestock farms, reseeding is the most important factor for overall farm profitability as replacing old or rejuvenating existing ones will give one of the best returns on investment. Furthermore, reseeding will ensure a continued supply of high-quality forage throughout the year from both grazed grass and from the production of quality grass silage.

According to John Kenny, Sales Director at Agritech, “With autumn reseeding, timing is critical. On most farms, many fields grow less than 2 tonne DM/ha after the 1st August. At this stage, the key is to figure out which fields need attention most urgently and decide on the method of reseeding that best fits your requirements.”

Soil Fertility

Prior to reseeding, it is crucial to carry out soil tests for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and pH, testing to a minimum of 10cm soil depth. Where soil fertility is at an optimum, it will require two to three bags of 10-10-20, plus 1 tonne of lime minimum, to provide enough P to feed the sward, kick start early growth, and allow the sward to reach its full potential. Too often, reseeding results disappoint solely due to the lack of a simple soil test beforehand.

Grass Seed Mixture

Our Tipperary Grass Seed range has a mixture to suit every requirement. The flagship premium mixture, Tipperary Grass No. 4A is suitable for intensive paddock grazing, whereas Tipperary Grass No.2 can be used for a less intensive grazing and silage systems. Tipperary Grass No.5 is designed to produce up to five cuts of high-quality forage, while the traditional Tipperary Grass No.3 is ideal for two cuts of silage, plus shoulder grazing. 

Agritech have also developed the Renovation Overseeding Mixture which is specifically designed to extend the life of an existing sward.

Every mixture is treated with a unique biological seed stimulant called, GroQuik®, which accelerates germination and especially root growth in both grasses and clover. This will help to produce more grass on the farm, thereby reducing concentrate feed requirements. It is now well established that this production lasts for years following the sowing of the crop.   

Post Management

All the benefits of reseeding can be lost after sowing if attention is not paid to weed and pest control. It is essential that post-emergence control of weeds such as docks and chickweed is carried out 4-6 weeks after emergence and not before the clover is well developed at the 3 leaf stage. It is also essential to watch out for the three most significant pests of reseeds, Frit Fly, Leatherjackets and Slugs, and treat accordingly.

For further advice on autumn reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed range, click here.

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Increased stocking rates particularly on dairy farms has meant that herbage output is more critical now than ever before. The recent Teagasc Moorepark Open Day highlighted that the anticipated further growth of the national dairy herd must be achieved in an environmentally sustainable way .

The application of biological seed stimulants is a key step in exploiting the potential of grass; something which has been adopted by Agritech from early on. Every grass seed mixture in the Tipperary Grass Seed Range is treated with a unique germination dressing called GroQuik®.

GroQuik® is a biological seed stimulant which accelerates germination and especially root growth in both grasses and clover. Environmental sustainability is very much at the forefront as the ingredients used in its manufacturing are 100% non-chemical and they even qualify for inclusion in grass seed mixtures for use on organic farms.

The application of GroQuik® is especially beneficial to clover establishment as it has a more extensive and complicated root structure. This is critical for Irish farmers, with research by Teagasc continuing to highlight that clover has a central role to play on all farms, whether the farming system is intensive or extensive.

Improved root structure

The benefit of an enhanced and more developed root structure helps to ensure that the grass plant has access to more nutrients from the soil, thereby ensuring improved efficiency and extra herbage yield.

Recent on farm experiments have highlighted the benefits of an improved root structure by comparing dressed and non-dressed grass mixture plots. Despite both plots receiving the same management in the same field at the same time, it was found that dressed plots showed a significant increase in herbage yield compared to the non-dressed plots.

Initially, it was thought that this benefit would last for a few months post sowing, however it is now very clear that the benefits last for years. Commenting on this, Agritech Sales Director, John Kenny states, “Going forward, stimulants such as GroQuik® will play a vital role in Irish Agriculture by increasing herbage output in an environmentally sustainable way. The benefits of the technology can be seen by farmers long after sowing by facilitating healthier plants and improved yields.”

For any further advice on autumn reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range, contact your local Agritech distributor or click here.

One of the biggest challenges facing Irish farmers is being able to feed stock in a way that will give the biggest return on investment. As a standalone feed, silage is expensive to produce, and when a land charge is factored in, first cut silage is now costing in the region of €300 per acre to grow and ensile. It is therefore most important that the desired level of silage quality is achieved as often as possible.

Maximising silage quality has never been more important for Co. Tipperary farmer, Albert Purcell. Albert is a beef and tillage farmer who up until recent years, placed more attention on making quantity versus quality silage. As a result, silage quality and animal performance was poor, leading to an over reliance on purchased concentrates.

With the help of Agritech’s Technical Nutritionist, Bil Ryan, Albert put a plan in place to overcome these challenges. He now gives close consideration to reseeding with good quality grass seed, careful management of the silage pit and using a good quality silage additive.

WATCH ALBERT’S STORY BELOW

Reseeding with quality grass seed  

Pastures can lose quality as they get older, and maintaining a high percentage of perennial ryegrass in the sward is crucial in order to maximise output from the forage. A grass sward containing 100% perennial ryegrass will grow up to 3t DM/ha more than a sward containing 15% perennial ryegrass and it also produces a higher feed quality, thereby increasing animal performance, i.e. milk output and daily live-weight gain.

Bil’s advice to farmers for optimum germination and a successful reseed is achieving a properly prepared seedbed. Applying appropriate nutrients will also help ensure optimum germination and adequate fuel to sustain the new reseed through the winter ahead. At index 3, applying at least 3 bags of 10.10.20, plus 1 tonne of lime is advisable.

Complementing your preparation efforts with the right grass seed mixture is key. According to Bil, “Agritech’s Tipperary Grass Seed Range has a mix for every situation. Our Tipperary Grass No.5 mixture is designed to produce up to five cuts of high quality forage as zero-grazing or three cuts of silage. Our traditional Tipperary Grass No.3 mixture is ideal for two cuts of silage, plus shoulder grazing.”

Reducing ensiling losses  

Reducing ensiling losses is extremely important for improved feed efficiency and greater animal performance. Following the pit management practices outlined below will help;

• Prepare pit well in advance of the expected harvest date; wash out pit and identify any leaks, cracks, and unsealed and eroded joints. Lay down protective layers of sheets inside the pit walls to facilitate an excellent seal at the pit edges.
• The pit should be filled evenly, with each layer of silage no more than 20cm. Each layer should be well consolidated to remove air.
• Use a vacuum sheet as the first sheet and cover by folding in the two side sheets and fitting the final top sheet. Weigh down with tyres to secure the clamp.

Maximising animal performance

Agritech’s GrasZyme SugarBoost Forage Additive has long proven itself as an effective silage preservation aid and has been developed with accelerated fermentation and animal performance as the primary focus. According to Bil, “the ultimate aim from the use of a silage additive is to enhance animal performance, deliver more milk and live-weight gain at feed out and increase farm profitability.”

Having undergone numerous trials on dairy and beef research institutes throughout Ireland and the UK, the additive has shown daily milk yield increases of 1 litre, a 0.09% increase in milk protein and 110 grams extra daily live-weight gain.

The technology used in the additive has also been scientifically proven to reduce unnecessary plant breakdown and ensure reliability even in difficult low sugar conditions. Independent trials have shown that in a 500t clamp, GrasZyme SugarBoost retains an extra 30 tonnes of silage and ensiling dry matter losses of 6.1% were also reported from these trials.

WATCH OUR SILAGE PRESERVATION VIDEO BELOW 

For more information, contact your local Agritech distributor or view our GrasZyme SugarBoost page

1. Sowing arable silage or whole-crop silage and under sowing the grass seed
2. Sowing a nurse crop of cereal (reduced rate) along with the grass
3. Sowing fodder rape or Typhon along with the grass
4. Sowing Westerwold grass with perennial ryegrass, to achieve early yields in the first season

While all the above options will give extra yield in the year sown, there are many associated pitfalls which will need to be considered:

1. Whole-crop will be cut first, therefore you cannot early graze to promote tillering.
2. Heavy whole-crop can smother young grass and block out light required to grow properly. This will result in very disappointing crops of grass.
3. Post-emergence weed control is not possible on reseeds without killing all brassicas (kale, rape, Typhon and turnips). The same will apply to whole-crop containing peas in the mix. Heavy crops may help to discourage annual weeds, however docks are very resilient.
4. If Westerwold is being added to the mix, while it is not persistent, it has the capacity to reseed itself from dropped seeds and heading will be earlier than with perennial ryegrass. If these seeds mature and drop off, a new crop of Westerwold can grow, which can be worse than weeds. To avoid this, seed heads must be cut or topped before they mature.

Before making any decisions, it is important to weigh up the pitfalls based on your own situation and see if you can manage them. Always bear in mind that you are sowing a crop of grass for 6 to 8 years, therefore do not take too much risk.

The most important thing is to establish the grass properly. Always pay attention to the detail around achieving a good reseed:

1. Soil test and use results to develop a fertiliser program.
2. Apply required lime. Min-till requires lime in every situation and follow the soil test recommendations otherwise.
3. Apply 3 bags of 10-10-20 per acre or follow soil test recommendations.
4. Make sure post-emergence weed control is carried out 4-6 weeks after emergence. (Clover leaf needs to be unfolded). Use Legumex DB and add Triade if chickweed is a problem.
5. Watch out for slug and insect damage and treat accordingly.
6. If possible, graze lightly to promote tillering when grass is ready.

Tipperary Grass Seed in conjunction with good decisions will give excellent results. For any further advice on reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range, click here or contact your local Agritech distributor. 

“With lengthy dry periods no longer in existence, quality silage is an essential requirement for the freshly calved cow as it will help support early lactation milk yield and allow the cow to return to cyclicity as quickly as possible.

“For beef cattle, a daily live-weight gain of 0.6 kg is considered the optimum for winter performance where the animals are returning to grass in the spring. Quality silage will again play a key role in achieving this growth level,” John explains.

Silage samples recently analysed show significant variations in quality, with many Irish beef farms estimating an average of just 66% dry matter digestibility (DMD). The difference between good and bad silage quality has a significant impact on animal performance. In the winter of 2012, Teagasc in conjunction with the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), conducted a study on weanling performance on 18 farms when housed. The results indicated a significant shortfall in live-weight performance, despite all of the farms feeding 1 – 2.5kg of silage/head/day. Only four of the 18 farms had a daily live-weight gain in excess of 0.51 kg and seven of the farms had an average daily live-weight gain of just 0.25kg.

According to John, silage of 75% DMD in quality must be a target for farms going forward. Quality silage starts with quality grass cut at the correct growth stage. Every silage field which contains a high proportion of perennial ryegrasses will have a sward of 80% DMD by the middle of May. Once grass silage fields go past this, they lose an average of 3% DMD units per week, with this loss increasing to 6% DMD units in poor weather or lodged crops.

“The application of a proven silage additive at ensiling is a very important part of securing as much of the quality in the winter forage as possible. It speeds up the preservation and retains more of the feed value within the pit, in addition to retaining more actual silage in the pit. In fact, the extra retained silage alone will cover the cost of the additive,” says John.

Our GrasZyme SugarBoost Forage Additive has long proven itself as an effective silage preservation aid and is formulated with accelerated fermentation and animal performance as the primary focus. Having undergone numerous trials on dairy and beef research institutes throughout Ireland and the UK, the additive has shown daily milk yield increases of 1 litre, a 0.09% increase in milk protein and 110g extra daily live-weight gain.

For more information, contact your local Agritech distributor  

Now is an appropriate time to put a plan in place and identify fields that should be targeted for reseeding. Grass is the cheapest way to feed ruminant livestock, therefore achieving maximum growth from it is the most profitable way forward on any livestock farm.

A high level of management is required to ensure that the reseeding process is carried out properly, as too often, the return on investment is restricted due to poor sward establishment. The two most important things to focus on are; the quality of the swards and the fertility of the soil.

Like any investment, grassland reseeding should be carefully planned to minimise the cost and maximise the return.

1. Identify the lowest performing areas, i.e. below farm average grass growth/ha or a noticeable drop in animal performance.
2. Identify the resources behind this drop in performance. For example, does the sward contain less than 40% perennial ryegrass?
3. Has the soil received adequate Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and Lime? Carry out a soil sample if required.

Soil Testing 

To achieve maximum results from your new reseed and to improve the productivity of the sward, soil fertility must be correct. Prior to reseeding, it is crucial to carry out soil tests for Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K) and pH, testing to a minimum of 10 cm soil depth.

Fertiliser Plan 

Your fertiliser plan is crucial, as this will address any soil fertility issues. Where soil fertility is below the recommended rate, it will require 2 to 3 bags of 10-10-20 to provide enough P to feed the sward, kick start early growth and allow the sward to reach its full potential. Early P is essential for root development, as it feeds the roots and the roots feed the leaf. Nitrogen (N) without P, only feeds the leaf and does not achieve the same response.

Grass Mixture Choice

According to Agritech’s Business Development Manager, Bil Ryan, once you identify your areas for reseeding, decide whether it will be used for grazing or silage, as this will influence your grass mixture type.

“Agritech’s Tipperary Grass Seed Range has a mix for every situation and has built an excellent reputation with farmers throughout the country for delivering optimal germination, establishment and increased yield in new grass leys,” states Bil.

Agritech’s flagship premium mixture, Tipperary Grass No. 4A is suitable for intensive paddock grazing, whereas Tipperary Grass No.2 can be used for a less intensive grazing system. Tipperary Grass No.5 is designed to produce up to five cuts of high quality forage as zero grazing or three cuts of silage and the traditional Tipperary Grass No.3 is ideal for two cuts of silage, plus shoulder grazing.

For further advice on reseeding or to choose a suitable grass mixture from the Tipperary Grass Seed Range, contact your local Agritech distributor. 

As the days get shorter and grass growth comes to a stop, our attention now turns to forage supply for the coming winter months. With unpredictable grass growth and anticipated fodder shortages earlier in the season, many farmers turned to brassica crops such as Kale and Rape to make up the shortfall. As many of these forages are being used for the first time, farmers must be aware of the challenges and understand how to overcome them effectively.

Management

Although forage brassicas provide farmers with a high yielding, quality forage option, there are many management factors to consider when utilising the crop. When it comes to grazing, introduce strip grazing, additional bales in the fields and lie back areas. It is important that brassicas do not make up more than 60% of the animal’s dry matter intake, with the remaining 40% coming from silage, straw or hay. Access to water is also essential.

Animals must be introduced to the crop gradually to avoid bloat. Therefore, it is crucial to begin with 1–2 hours of grazing per day and then increase to full–time access after 10 days.

Diet

A diet of pure brassicas can cause many health issues for livestock, therefore it is essential that they are balanced correctly. Nutritionally, brassicas are 10-11ME and 16-18% protein, which should be adequate for most animals when fed with an alternative forage.

As brassica crops are extremely low in structural fibre, the inclusion of extra fibre sources such as silage, straw and hay should be provided before and throughout the brassica feeding period. This will help rumen microbes adjust to the feed and help to maintain normal rumen function.

Brassicas are low in trace elements, particularly copper, cobalt, iodine and selenium. Kale and Rape in particular are very low in iodine and contain glucosinolates which interfere with the uptake of iodine by the animal. Brassicas are moderate to low in phosphorus and magnesium and are high in calcium.

Mineral Supplementation

Animal health, weight gain and reproduction will all be compromised if adequate minerals and vitamins are not supplemented accordingly. With this in mind, Agritech have developed the Welmin Mineral Supplements Range, a comprehensive range of premium mineral supplements, which will ensure that your animals are adequately supplemented with all the essential minerals and vitamins this winter. The raw materials used by Agritech to manufacture the Welmin range are chosen for their high bio-availability, therefore ensuring we get to correct the imbalances that are occurring on intensive farms.

For any further advice on feeding brassicas and mineral supplementation, contact your local Agritech distributor or find out more by viewing our brand new Welmin Mineral Supplements Brochure.

It is safe to say that 2018 will go down as one of the most challenging years for farmers across the country. Thankfully, we have reached a point where most farmers are now coming out the other side with favourable conditions over the last few weeks delivering much needed grass and maize silage which will significantly reduce the fodder deficit on farms.

Unfortunately, the one dilemma that has not disappeared is the shortage of straw. Rumen health is where straw has its biggest benefit as it is one of the most effective sources of structural fibre. Currently, round bales of straw are trading at around €30 each, with no sign of this reducing anytime soon. This exorbitant price means that straw is no longer a viable option for farmers. Peat is becoming a more economical bedding option for farmers; however, many will find it impossible to get a return on its inclusion in animal diets as it continues to command a value of circa €200 per tonne. To further complicate the situation, the high fibre ration sources are extremely expensive with straights such as Soya Hulls and Beet Pulp priced at an all- time high.

Rumen Health  

If we compare an animal’s diet to a human’s diet, we all know that an over-supply of sugary foods and not enough fibre will cause a stomach imbalance that will make us feel unwell and less inclined to consume full portions. Our quick fix solution is to reach for indigestion or heartburn tablets. This approach has parallels in the ruminant animal; however, instead farmers are encouraged to reach for rumen buffers as they work on the principal of neutralising rumen acidity and promoting rumen protozoa populations.

Rumicare

Rumicare from Agritech has been developed to help counteract rumen and intestinal acidity and to promote adequate rumen protozoa populations in intensively fed animals and those consuming lower fibre diets. Rumicare Beef and Dairy is formulated using a unique combination of phased release rumen buffering minerals. Phased release technology ensures a constant and ongoing fight against Sub Acute Rumen Acidosis (SARA). Added Rumigest® yeast will further enhance rumen bacteria populations and activity aiding better digestion of starch and cellulose.

Agritech’s Sales Director John Kenny says “we see Rumicare as providing real solutions for Irish farmers this winter as it will significantly lower the requirement for straw, leaving more room for quality feed. Our Agritech sales team are available to provide on farm nutritional support as well as a free of charge dietary recommendation and feed plan this winter if required.”

For further assistance or advice do not hesitate to contact your local Agritech distributor.