Matching stocking rate and feed supply to annual grass growth profile

Donal Patton and Barry Reilly join Emma-Louise Coffey on this week’s Dairy Edge podcast to identify the optimum stocking rate based on feed supply and the profile of annual grass growth. Barry explains that the long term average grass production at Ballyhaise is 14 tonne DM/ha. Donal outlines the profile of growth: magic day of ~40 kg DM/day achieved in late April while grass growth of ~80 kg DM/day.  This growth represents a challenge in the balance of grass supply, a deficit of grass grown during the shoulders of the year and surplus during the mid-season. An optimum overall stocking rate of 2.3 LU/ha and a milking platform stocking rate of 3.0 cows/ha was identified for the Ballyhaise dairy herd based on consistent 14 tonnes DM/ha.  Barry explains that cows get out to grass for 270 days in the year but when taking into account the number of cows calved during the spring and cows housed during inclement weather, cow grazing days are 235 days.  Donal quantifies the level of supplement required by cows above grazed grass: 700-800 kg concentrate and 1,400 kg silage, half of which is required during lactation. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com