Grass growth across Great Britain averaged at 54kg DM/ha/day, which is +10kg DM/ha/day on the week and 6kg DM/ha/day greater than the same period for last year. The highest growth rates were seen in the North West at 64kg DM/ha/day, whilst Yorkshire saw the lowest rates at 40kg DM/ha/day. The largest increase in grass growth was recorded in the East Midlands, with an increase of 29kg DM/ha/day, when compared to the previous week.
Grass Growth
Grass growth across Great Britain averaged at 54kg DM/ha/day, which is +10kg DM/ha/day on the week and 6kg DM/ha/day greater than the same period for last year. The highest growth rates were seen in the North West at 64kg DM/ha/day, whilst Yorkshire saw the lowest rates at 40kg DM/ha/day. The largest increase in grass growth was recorded in the East Midlands, with an increase of 29kg DM/ha/day, when compared to the previous week.
Milk Yield from Grazing (MYFG)
MYFG has risen this week to M+5.48 litres/day, an increase of M+1.58 on last week’s figures. The rise could be attributed to the 0.98kg DM/day increase in potential dry matter intake from grazing because of the improved weather. The highest potential MYFG was recorded in the East at M+16.4 litres/day, whilst Scotland saw the lowest figures at M+1.0 litres/day.
*The lab at Trouw received a limited number of samples this week, with a large skew in the reginal samples received. The North East & Yorkshire each only accounted for only 7% of the total samples. This highlights the need for caution when interpreting these figures. Submission of individual farm samples is encouraged to improve accuracy of the data and reduce regional skews.
Growing Cattle
Typically, grazing quality begins to decline during late summer and therefore it is important to ensure growing and finishing cattle diets are balanced for energy and protein, optimising lean frame growth and fat cover. Whilst the metabolisable energy (ME) content of grazing this week remains high (11.47 MJ/kg DM), crude protein (CP) has declined from 26.4% last week, to 23.5% this week.
For growing cattle diets, the target ME and CP are 10.5-11.4 MJ/kg DM and 15-17% DM and for finishing cattle diets, a target ME greater than 12.2 MJ/kg DM and CP at 12-15% DM. Target growth rates should be at least 1kg/day.
Measuring grass growth to ensure that there is adequate DM available to cattle is key to achieving performance.
For more information on NWF Grass Seeds, call our traded products team on 0800 756 2787 or download the 2020 NWF Grass Seed Brochure HERE.
Source: Trouw Nutrition.
