How to maximise grass utilisation during a drought

On this week's episode of the Dairy Edge podcast we speak to Aidan Lawless, Farm Manager of the dairy herd at Johnstown Castle. As the gap widens between the milk production of the spring and autumn calved cows, Aidan explains the current performance and diet. Cumulative performance is similar for the autumn herd compared to the 2016/2017 lactation, while the spring calving cows have a consistently lower protein % compared with 2017. Aidan talks through current grassland management practices with particular emphasis on methods to maximise grass utilisation during this period of moisture deficit. Finally, Aidan quantifies the first cut silage yields achieved in late May.