Grass update 22 June 2010

John has topped most of the farm at Finnis and will do so again next month.

As a result of measuring grass and getting good response from the newer swards, two extra fields were closed for silage (two fields reseeded by stitching in last year) and will be cut at the weekend/ Monday. They could do with being cut now, but contractor is booked out this week.

As there is too much silage for the pit, he has cut hay in some of the other silage fields that were further ahead rather than let it get too stemmy.

The farm needs rain at the minute, covers are down from the previous measurement and growth rates are dropping. The ground around some parts of the farm is starting to burn up.

Stock will be moved to graze silage aftermath next week, so some grazing ground will get rested if no rain comes in the next week. John has put an electric fencer up to get calves creep grazing ahead and slow down rotation with no waste grass.

Clover content is quite good across most of the farm 30/40 percent, again rain would help drive it on.

Average farm cover is 2,463 KG DM/ha.