High weight gains from grazed grass- A priority on beef farms!
Michael Doherty, Beef and Sheep Development Adviser, CAFRE, Newry
The importance of achieving high weight gains from beef cattle during the grazing season has been promoted for many years by Agricultural Advisers, researchers and good farmers alike. The recent surge in oil prices with the resultant knock-on effect on fertiliser, fuel and feed prices, now means that every serious beef producer must closely analyse their farming business, both in terms of the overall economics of the business, and also the level of production that is being achieved from grazed grass.
GRASSLAND MANAGEMENT
The aim of this article is to outline some of the more important aspects of grassland management that impact on both the economic and the physical performance of grazing cattle. These include the following:
- Establishing an efficient grazing system:- where a rotational grazing system is already in place, an effort should be made to have a minimum of six individual fields/paddocks per group of cattle. A three to four day “residential” period within each division is ideal for a number of reasons. Firstly, moving stock on a more frequent basis can have an unsettling effect and it also increases the labour involved. Secondly, stock are grazing bare pasture for a relatively short time, so performance is not compromised to any great extent, and thirdly, very little re-growth of the sward is eaten off before the stock are moved on. The latter is particularly important as maximising the re-growth potential of the sward will help to reduce the amount of fertiliser nitrogen required at any given stocking rate.
- Taking account of the nutrient value of slurry:- full account must now be taken of the nutrient content of slurry applied to both grazing and silage swards. Slurry is a valuable input and there are potential savings to be made through better timing of applications and the method used.
- Introducing red and white clover:- relatively low fertiliser nitrogen prices in the past meant few farmers took up the challenge of developing good grass/clover swards. White clover has the ability to ‘fix’ atmospheric nitrogen and release it to the soil, yielding grass growth comparable to grass swards receiving 200KGN/hectare annually. Improvements in daily liveweight gain of up to 10percent in cattle, and 25 percent in lambs when grazed on grass clover swards have been reported. Both these facts can no longer be ignored. Red clover mixes which are used extensively on organic units to produce silage, now have a role on conventional farms.
- Extending the grazing season:- grazing cattle, particularly young/light stock, over as long a grazing season as possible, has to be the aim of every beef producer. While turnout may range from late February/early March in more favoured areas, to late March in other districts, every additional day at grass increases performance and significantly reduces the cost per KG of gain.
- Improving swards:- many swards on beef and sheep farms haven’t been reseeded for numerous years and contain a high proportion of unsown species, for example, Yorkshire Fog and Creeping Bents. Such swards are slower to commence growth in spring, are lower yielding and give a reduced response to nitrogen when compared to modern perennial ryegrass swards.
The ability of such swards to produce early/ late season grass is limited and therefore reduces the ability to extend the grazing season.
Investing money in improving swards through rejuvenation or direct reseeding will give the greatest return per £1 spent compared to any other capital improvements you could undertake on farm. As fertiliser price increases the return will be further enhanced. Now is the time to take a critical look at your swards, with a view to modernising your grass genetics. Simple methods of establishing grass/clover should be considered. These include power harrowing and surface seeding, direct drilling or use of the Einboch air drill. In all cases use of a subsoiler prior to cultivation, will lift the soil allowing for better drainage and oxygenation of the roots.
SOIL ANALYSIS
To maintain a high proportion of both perennial ryegrass and white clover in the sward, it is important that the lime status of the soil is in the optimum pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 and there are adequate levels of phosphate and potash available. When soil pH increases above 6.0, nitrogen release from the soil organic matter and response to nitrogen fertiliser are both enhanced. Trace elements also become more readily available.
A routine soil analysis will determine the pH status of the soil, and also the phosphate, potash and magnesium indices. Plan to sample 20 percent of the farm each year and treat accordingly to counteract deficiencies. Remember that under the nitrates and phosphate directive, phosphate fertiliser should only be applied in accordance with crop need.
SUMMARY
Every effort must now be made to achieve a total liveweight gain of at least 200 KG / head from beef cattle over the grazing season. On well managed farms grazed grass can deliver up to 240 KG liveweight in a season. Suckler cows must also be grazed to achieve a body condition score 3 at weaning, so they only require maintaining during the expensive winter months. Pay particular attention to the condition of first calving heifers at grass this season.
An efficient management system, that minimises the requirement for expensive inputs such as concentrates, fertiliser and fuel, whilst achieving a reasonable level of output, has to be the objective on those farms that, at the very least, wish to retain their Single Farm Payment. Farmers must now re focus on getting grassland management right, as it is such an integral part of the profitability of beef production.
CAFRE Beef and Sheep Development advisers will organise a series of events over the summer period to highlight the financial value of well managed grass/clover swards.Contact your local adviser for details.
Pictured in a productive grass/clover sward is Hilltown Beef farmer Murtagh Walls who will host one of the series of grass/clover events being organised by CAFRE