Grazing 2021

memorystick · 05-03-2021 9:15pm #1

Thought I’d start a thread so lads can share what’s going on on the grass front. Grass starting to move and place starting to dry out. Hoping to let cattle out next weekend to graze off silage ground. Still have bales left. Anyone with cattle out?

DBK1 · 05-03-2021 11:06pm

Beef farming in the midlands. I brought a couple of load of the lightest weanlings, mainly 12 month old bucket reared whiteheads with an odd limousine, to an out farm last Saturday. It’s heavy ground that had plenty of grass cover because it got too wet to graze by November.

The stock are more than happy on it and flying through the grass. I’ll get slurry out tomorrow on some of the paddocks they’ve already grazed. I’d love to have more out and the land is well fit to carry them but I’ve a herd test in 2 weeks so it’s handier to have the bulk of them in the yard until then.

Some of the neighbours think I’m mad but they’ll still be lorrying silage and meal into theirs in April and mine will be thriving a lot better than theirs for a fraction of the cost!

Cavanjack · 05-03-2021 11:54pm

Will see what the weather is going to do next week. Will let 2year old bullocks out to silage ground if it’s going to warm up a bit. Loads of grass.

dohc turbo2 · 06-03-2021 12:01am

Farming 7 years never has animals out so early , shed with last years heiffers and I calf heiffers out with 10 days cleaning off paddocks , and we behind them with slurry

cute geoge · 06-03-2021 12:08am

They call the likes of the week that went by fools spring!!
I left off a few myself but it looks like they will be back inside in a couple of days

DBK1 · 06-03-2021 12:23am

cute geoge wrote: »

They call the likes of the week that went by fools spring!!
I left off a few myself but it looks like they will be back inside in a couple of days

If they are so be it. Every day they’re out is a bonus anyway!

valtra2 · 06-03-2021 1:12am

9 autumn cows and calfs out full time. 30 spring cows and calfs out during the day. Does a lot for the mental health to have them out.

Birdnuts · 06-03-2021 3:14am

cute geoge wrote: »

They call the likes of the week that went by fools spring!!
I left off a few myself but it looks like they will be back inside in a couple of days

Yeah - the run up to Paddy's day is now looking well grim:(

Reggie. · 06-03-2021 6:27am

Birdnuts wrote: »

Yeah - the run up to Paddy's day is now looking well grim:(

I thought the weather was to improve

Say my name · 06-03-2021 9:01am

Reggie. wrote: »

I thought the weather was to improve

It's looking better for st. Patrick's day now than it was a few days ago.

This is our good week even though there's no growth out. Next week is a bad week again. Then at around Sunday the 14th or Monday it looks like some form of high pressure returning.
We could be warm on Patrick's day with a southwesterly draw or cold with a northwesterly.

But it is looking better for the mild weather around then. A few days ago it was perpetual winter forecasted.

The cows are out by day here. Most likely back in again next week.
I've a fr bull out full time after he didn't appreciate his stone built old tie up byre and decided he needed to add a window in a wall.

dohc turbo2 · 06-03-2021 9:53am

cute geoge wrote: »

They call the likes of the week that went by fools spring!!
I left off a few myself but it looks like they will be back inside in a couple of days

That’s a given down here , but must take advantage of it to clean off paddocks and get slurry out ,

Base price · 06-03-2021 9:57am

I let out 14 yearling heifers earlier during the week and they are happy out. If the weather turns very wet I will move them to a sacrifice paddock beside the yard but they ain't coming back in.

Bass Reeves · 06-03-2021 10:20am

Hopefully let a couple off in next few days. Nice bit of grass but I have all two years olds. They got no meal all winter finishing except to use up the bit left after the finishing cattle. They now through grass when they go out to especially the Friesian bullocks.

Spread 25 units of N/ acres two weeks ago. Have not checked covers for a week.

jfh · 06-03-2021 10:25am

I've all weanlings out for the last two weeks, the first field they grazed out is well poached but great drying in the last few days, I've a half bag urea out too although growth is slow

Charolois 19 · 06-03-2021 10:35am

Im in the North West, ground still soft, normally I let the girls out May Bank Holiday weekend, truth be told tho my biggest problem isn't ground condition, im surrounded by 15k acres of forest, deers have my fields ate to the butt, I have to wait for grass growth to get ahead of the deers

Dinzee Conlee · 06-03-2021 10:37am

Would I be unpopular if I said I’d prefer a lift in temperatures even if it meant a bit of soft weather, to this dry cold hard weather?

Hard Knocks · 06-03-2021 10:40am

Charolois 19 wrote: »

Im in the North West, ground still soft, normally I let the girls out May Bank Holiday weekend, truth be told tho my biggest problem isn't ground condition, im surrounded by 15k acres of forest, deers have my fields ate to the butt, I have to wait for grass growth to get ahead of the deers

Can you put deer fence on that forest boundary
I’d be afraid of TB

Charolois 19 · 06-03-2021 11:07am

Hard Knocks wrote: »

Can you put deer fence on that forest boundary
I’d be afraid of TB

Just out of curiosity measured the distance would be needed on Google earth came to 1.3 miles of deer fencing, and been honest im only farming since 17 and the place wasnt in the best of shape when I took it over, so been honest there is a bit of financial restriction as of yet, but I get where your coming from, neighbours farms beside me have never had a case in a good many years, one block should be deer proof in the next week and another 3 to 400 yards by the end of summer, just keep chipping away at it,

I think this year has been worse for deer in my area as with covid theres no demand for venison so none were shot compared to other years, farms several miles away from me are starting to see them where they would of never been seen before. Population has gotten out of hand

tanko · 06-03-2021 12:07pm

Who owns the deer?

CloughCasey1 · 06-03-2021 12:26pm

Viktoria278 wrote: »

While you may not have realised it yet, Ireland is one of the newest markets in the world and there are thousands of international online casinos that are now paying special attention to this market. As a result, many Irish players are finding it a bit daunting to discover a safe, reputable and reliable online casino to invest their money in. With so many options now available, how does the average Irish citizen decide which online gambling site to go with?

Thanks for the info but have you the cattle out grazing yet?

CloughCasey1 · 06-03-2021 12:29pm

Have a few yearlings out but with the weather promised to go downhill next week decided against letting 2yr olds out. If we get this ridge of high pressure the following week there will be a better chance to let them out and hopefully no back in after that. Hopefully not famous last words.

Charolois 19 · 06-03-2021 12:31pm

tanko wrote: »

Who owns the deer?

Coilte (not sure on spelling) I'd assume as they have shooting rights sold of to another man ive met several times

893bet · 06-03-2021 12:42pm

Viktoria278 wrote: »

While you may not have realised it yet, Ireland is one of the newest markets in the world and there are thousands of international online casinos that are now paying special attention to this market. As a result, many Irish players are finding it a bit daunting to discover a safe, reputable and reliable online casino to invest their money in. With so many options now available, how does the average Irish citizen decide which online gambling site to go with?

This is meant for the winter finisher thread. They gamble every year.

tanko · 06-03-2021 2:08pm

Charolois 19 wrote: »

Coilte (not sure on spelling) I'd assume as they have shooting rights sold of to another man ive met several times

Surely it's up to them to keep the deer fenced in properly. If they can't be bothered doing this i suppose there isn't much you can do about it.

Dunedin · 06-03-2021 3:22pm

Say my name wrote: »

I've a fr bull out full time after he didn't appreciate his stone built old tie up byre and decided he needed to add a window in a wall.

I’d be giving him a day in one of Larry’s premises !!!!!

Bass Reeves · 06-03-2021 3:25pm

893bet wrote: »

This is meant for the winter finisher thread. They gamble every year.

They are real gamblers as well not problem having 3-500k on the bet. Even a small lad would have 50-70k laid on against a 1-2k if he wins.

charolais0153 · 06-03-2021 6:23pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Would I be unpopular if I said I’d prefer a lift in temperatures even if it meant a bit of soft weather, to this dry cold hard weather?

Very unpopular:)

Birdnuts · 06-03-2021 6:42pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Would I be unpopular if I said I’d prefer a lift in temperatures even if it meant a bit of soft weather, to this dry cold hard weather?

I suppose it depends on what type of ground u have - I suspect my place in North Mayo could go 6 months without rain and still be a bit soft in the usual places.:rolleyes: Anyways the second half of next week is beginning to look well rough with likely wind warnings and heavy rain for many:(

Green farmer · 06-03-2021 8:12pm

Dinzee Conlee wrote: »

Would I be unpopular if I said I’d prefer a lift in temperatures even if it meant a bit of soft weather, to this dry cold hard weather?

Even if abit wet, wouldnt the milder weather help push the grass along. Noticed little spurts of regrowth here over the last month whenever it was mildly wet. Nothing has moved in the last week though.

Fine Day · 06-03-2021 10:18pm

Green farmer wrote: »

Even if abit wet, wouldnt the milder weather help push the grass along. Noticed little spurts of regrowth here over the last month whenever it was mildly wet. Nothing has moved in the last week though.

Mild weather normally means rain. Would like to see abit of kindness in it to grow a bit of grass. But its still only early March so we could still get anything.

whelan2 · 07-03-2021 7:29am

All we have out is the cows. Too early to let anything else out. When we put them out they stay out for good.

I says · 07-03-2021 9:29am

In for another fortnight at least. I’m in no panic grass only coming now. I want them to eat the bales in a part of the yard I’m going putting up a shed. No doubt it’ll be the 1st of may by the time they’ve the bales ate. I got cattle out around this time before but I find if we get any sort of cold nights in late March or early April it stalls regrowth. I’ll sit it out as was said early a fools spring.

endainoz · 07-03-2021 11:55am

Have a heifer, cow and calf out, will let out a couple more calved ones after the rain next week. Weather outlook is decent from a long term point of view.

This "fools spring" craic is a terribly pessimistic view on things too. I prefer to look on the positive side of things. Have decent sheltered fields though so that makes it easier of course.

TooOldBoots · 07-03-2021 12:18pm

A lot of Calendar farmers about. The last 2 weeks have been smashing, cattle out, feed bill reduced, all healthier outside. Lads here talking about cattle in till May!! thats a 6 month winter. ffs if thats the type of farming then they are either overstocked or would be better off trying some other trade

endainoz · 07-03-2021 12:40pm

TooOldBoots wrote: »

A lot of Calendar farmers about. The last 2 weeks have been smashing, cattle out, feed bill reduced, all healthier outside. Lads here talking about cattle in till May!! thats a 6 month winter. ffs if thats the type of farming then they are either overstocked or would be better off trying some other trade

Probably need to try other breeds!

Cavanjack · 07-03-2021 1:11pm

TooOldBoots wrote: »

A lot of Calendar farmers about. The last 2 weeks have been smashing, cattle out, feed bill reduced, all healthier outside. Lads here talking about cattle in till May!! thats a 6 month winter. ffs if thats the type of farming then they are either overstocked or would be better off trying some other trade

Probably the way it is gone with the majority part time. They can only be let out on a Saturday or Sunday and you don’t like letting them out if it’s going to be cold for the week so you need a reasonable week ahead. Then lads will say if they are away all day and it’s still dark in the evening they can’t check them properly until the following Saturday. So this also delays turnout until mid to late March.
At the end of the day for all the money that’s in it for the sake of two or three weeks I wouldn’t get too excited about letting them out. So I wouldn’t knock lads for keeping them in that bit longer.
Saying that I will try and start letting them out next week and do like to have most of them out come the beginning of April.

tanko · 07-03-2021 1:43pm

TooOldBoots wrote: »

A lot of Calendar farmers about. The last 2 weeks have been smashing, cattle out, feed bill reduced, all healthier outside. Lads here talking about cattle in till May!! thats a 6 month winter. ffs if thats the type of farming then they are either overstocked or would be better off trying some other trade[/QUOTE.

Land around here is just too soft and wet to let cattle out yet. Nobody wants to have cattle in for six months but many farmers don't have any choice.
It's nothing to do with being overstocked either.

MIKEKC · 07-03-2021 2:32pm

tanko wrote: »

Surely it's up to them to keep the deer fenced in properly. If they can't be bothered doing this i suppose there isn't much you can do about it.

The deer are classed as wild animals, nobody owns them . When they come onto a road and cause an accident people normally have to rely on their insurance to compensate. I know the local Co Council can de sued but it's like suing when you hit a pothole.

DBK1 · 07-03-2021 2:45pm

endainoz wrote: »

Have a heifer, cow and calf out, will let out a couple more calved ones after the rain next week. Weather outlook is decent from a long term point of view.

This "fools spring" craic is a terribly pessimistic view on things too. I prefer to look on the positive side of things. Have decent sheltered fields though so that makes it easier of course.

I’d have to agree on that. I’d be more thinking it’s a fool that isn’t taking advantage of the “fools spring” we have!

Where my stock are there’s not another neighbouring farmer with stock out as it’s heavy ground and they think I’m mad. But you just have to pick and choose where they go. Over the ditch from where they’re grazing now I was trying to get hedges cut last week before the deadline. I went up in the jeep to open gates and take down wires and sunk the jeep. Water lying on the top of the ground, not a hope of getting the hedge cutter in.

So obviously I won’t be grazing that field but there’s plenty of options on the dryer patches and just stick up a few temporary fences. A small bit extra work but with good reward. Happier healthier and better thriving animals for a fraction of the cost of shed feeding.

whelan2 · 07-03-2021 2:45pm

Was talking to a man at the football pitch this morning. He let out his stock 2 weeks ago and brought them all back in yesterday. No grass left, no growth. April 10th is the normal date to have cows out by night here.

DBK1 · 07-03-2021 3:03pm

Just got a picture from a friend of mine in Kerry and he has a fusion in baling silage today!

whelan2 · 07-03-2021 3:09pm

DBK1 wrote: »

Just got a picture from a friend of mine in Kerry and he has a fusion in baling silage today!

I'm assuming that's what couldn't be baled last backend.

Who2 · 07-03-2021 3:17pm

I let out some cows and calves yesterday, I’ve a fair bit of picking but growth is still slow, I rather letting it kick off properly before letting all out. Hopefully next weekend I’ll be letting out weanlings heifers as I’d usually have them out earlier but to be honest it’s the easiest option for me currently to manage them from the shed for another bit. The joys of part time farming.

DBK1 · 07-03-2021 3:17pm

whelan2 wrote: »

I'm assuming that's what couldn't be baled last backend.

Yea I think so. There’d hardly be great feeding in it but I suppose it’ll have the field cleaned off for a nice regrowth.

Mooooo · 07-03-2021 3:22pm

If ye can let some out to get a rotation going on the grass at least ye wouldn't have a feast or famine scenario on the grass then in a few weeks. Get fert/ slurry out if ye can as well

Reggie. · 07-03-2021 8:16pm

DBK1 wrote: »

Just got a picture from a friend of mine in Kerry and he has a fusion in baling silage today!

Thats messing

Say my name · 07-03-2021 8:51pm

DBK1 wrote: »

Just got a picture from a friend of mine in Kerry and he has a fusion in baling silage today!

There was one going the road up here today too.
I assumed the operator was after buying it or something. They already have a fusion. Your post has me wondering now!
The operator then went on with an agitator and the son the slurry tanker.

Today was a real Sun day..ðŸ˜႒

DBK1 · 07-03-2021 9:22pm

Reggie. wrote: »

Thats messing

It was third or maybe 4th cut that should have been cut last September but weather didn’t allow. Far too heavy for grazing now and a lot of it probably dying off after the winter.

I think he done the right thing, at least when he fertilises it now he’ll have good quality silage around the middle of May. If all this rain comes during the week it could be another few weeks before it’s be dry enough again to get into so at least it’s out of the way now.

jd_12345 · 08-03-2021 12:41am

Cows out full time here. Yearling heifers went out on outblock yesterday. 2 acres/heifer there. Have bullocks still in shed at that farm. They'll go out after magic day. The main thing is to get a small number of cattle out early imo so ground has a chance to recover. Moving away from tight grazing here too. Give them enough area and leave them there till its cleaned off. Small plots are a joke imo. More grass rotavated than eaten

Bass Reeves · 08-03-2021 7:50pm

I says wrote: »

In for another fortnight at least. I’m in no panic grass only coming now. I want them to eat the bales in a part of the yard I’m going putting up a shed. No doubt it’ll be the 1st of may by the time they’ve the bales ate. I got cattle out around this time before but I find if we get any sort of cold nights in late March or early April it stalls regrowth. I’ll sit it out as was said early a fools spring.

Too much grass is as bad as too little. Have good covers on 18-20 of the 25 acres of silage ground. Must graze it off before April. Left another 26 off today I have nearly 40 out now. Two year old bullocks about 4-500 kgs. Forecast is 6mm of rain both Wednesday and Thursday and 10m Friday and Saturday. I opened up the gates between the pens 3 weeks ago and cattle not as lively as normally going out. In very good condition considering that they were on silage only for the winter.

Will bring 6-8 to the field around the house later in the week and let the rest off as well. It was the 26th of March last year at turn out.

Dunedin · 08-03-2021 9:22pm

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Two year old bullocks about 4-500 kgs. Forecast is 6mm of rain both Wednesday and Thursday and 100m Friday and Saturday. .

You must have serious dry land to let out cattle with 100mm rain forecast

Grazing 2021

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