Grass Growth
Grass growth has remained consistent over many regions, this week and sees an average for GB of 27.2kg DM/ha/day. However, the Northeast and East both saw significant drops in average grass growth, falling over 20kg DM/ha/day. This is still well below what was seen last year and by the 6 year average of 51kg DM/ha/day.
Milk Yield from Grazing
Due to a combination of relatively poor growth and postal strikes only a small number of samples were received. As expected from this point in the season MYFG has dropped. However, despite a negative value of M-2.9litres/day being reported, the received samples vary considerably. The Northwest reports an average of M+7.2litres/day while Wales and West reports M-8.0litres/day. This highlights the importance of individual farm analysis to enable accurate rationing.
Grass Quality
With limited samples received, largely due to the postal strikes, it is difficult to speculate on GB grass quality as a whole for this week. However, as grazing quality typically starts to decline as we move into the late summer it is important to ensure growing and finishing cattle diets are balanced for energy and protein for lean frame growth and fat covers. The metabolisable energy (ME) content of grazing reported this week has declined to 10.8MJ/kg DM.
For growing cattle target ME and CP are 10.5-11.4MJ/kg DM and 15-17% DM, respectively.
• For finishing cattle target ME and CP are >12.2MJ/kg DM and 12-15% DM, respectively.
• Target growth rates at grass should be at least 1kg/d, with potential growth from grazing assuming that there is enough DM available, with consideration given to additional feed as required.
