Grass Growth
For the 4th consecutive week, grass growth has declined 7kg DM/ha/day to averaged 35kg DM/ha/day. It is also below the 5-year average of 38kg DM/ha/day. The largest decline in grass growth was recorded in the North West and Scotland at -13kg DM/ha/day, whereas the East was the only region where an increase in grass growth was recorded at +7kg DM/ha/day.
Milk Yield from Grazing (MYFG)
Average MYFG increased again this week to M+3.38 litres/day, compared to M+2.66 litres/day recorded the previous week. It is also M+2.55 litres/day above the 6-year average of M-0.83 litres/day. Although grass growth has continued to decline, a combination of increased potential dry matter intake from grazing, from 16.36% to 18.6%, and an increase in estimated ME, from 11.48 to 12.17 MJ/kg DM, will drive milk yield from fresh grass.
Unfortunately, the lab at Trouw did not receive MYFG samples from the East and North East & Yorkshire. The North West saw the highest MYFG at M+13.8 litres/day, whilst Wales and the West saw the lowest figures at M+0.4 litres/day.
Butter factors
The analysis this week has highlighted a heightened risk of butterfat depressions as acid load is at 38 and a high RFC at 179 g/kg DM increases the risk of a drop in rumen pH. Prevention is the best management option for this which can be achieved by the following:
- Feeding straw or fibrous forages to promote rumination, stimulate salivation and subsequent rumen conditions.
- Live yeast cultures to optimise rumen function and improve fibre digestibility.
- Rumen buffers to promote a thriving rumen microflora and fermentation through maintaining optimal rumen pH.
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.
