PA121/A/08 High Weight Gains From Grazed Grass - A Priority On Beef Farms!

By 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.

Some of the more important aspects of grassland management that impact on both the economic and the physical performance of grazing cattle are:

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.

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.

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 10% in cattle, and 25% 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.

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.  

Many swards on beef and sheep farms haven’t been reseeded for numerous years and contain a high proportion of unsown species e.g. 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.

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.

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